About this Event

 

Plastic pollution is an escalating global threat, with shared and disproportionate impacts across Commonwealth member states, particularly Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Without urgent collective action, the environmental and social costs of plastic waste will continue to rise, placing further strain on vulnerable communities. The Commonwealth is uniquely positioned to respond to this challenge through collaboration, shared learning, and collective advocacy. The Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign demonstrates how partnerships across governments, civil society, sport, and youth networks can mobilise communities, reduce plastic waste, and deliver tangible environmental outcomes. As part of London Climate Action Week 2026, the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) invites you to the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Forum 2026, a high-level panel discussion convening policymakers, innovators, advocates and partners from across the Commonwealth, to address one of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time.

 

​

Thematic Focus

 

This event will explore how collective action across the Commonwealth can drive meaningful progress in tackling plastic pollution. The discussion will focus on: sharing practical solutions and lessons learned from national and regional approaches; addressing policy and implementation challenges, including global frameworks; and highlighting how partnerships across government, civil society, and the private sector can scale impactful solutions. The discussion will also emphasise the role of innovation, as well as sport, youth, and community engagement, in driving behavioural change and environmental action, while strengthening collaboration and fostering new partnerships.

​

​

Discussion Highlights and Key Topics 

​​​

The event will explore the challenge of plastic pollution through a Commonwealth-wide lens, focusing on: Lessons learned from national and regional initiatives to reduce plastic use and improve ocean sustainability Policy and governance challenges, including gaps in global frameworks such as plastics treaty negotiations The role of the Commonwealth in advocating for vulnerable states, disproportionately affected by ocean pollution, particularly SIDS Innovation and private sector leadership to drive sustainable alternatives The contribution of sport, youth, and community engagement in driving environmental action Strengthening cross-sector partnerships to deliver scalable, long-term solutions

​

Speakers 

​

To be announced. Follow @royalcwsociety on Instagram, X and Facebook to be the first to know.

​

Why Attend 

This event offers a unique platform to: 

• Engage with leaders shaping global environmental policy and practice 

• Explore partnership opportunities within the Commonwealth network 

• Contribute to scaling impactful solutions to plastic pollution 

• Support the next phase of the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Campaign (2025–2030) 

 

About the Royal Commonwealth Society 

The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) connects a diverse network of organisations and individuals across the Commonwealth and beyond, who are all committed to promoting the Commonwealth’s core values of democracy, equality, sustainability, and mutual respect. Through its programmes and partnerships, the RCS is committed to building a more connected, sustainable, and prosperous Commonwealth by bringing together governments, civil society, businesses, and young people to address shared global challenges.