GPML’s Digital Platform – a UN site with a depth of resources

Image credit: GPML

The GPML Digital Platform is “an open-source, crowdsourced, multi-stakeholder platform that compiles different resources, connects stakeholders, and integrates data to guide action. It is intended to offer a single point of access for accurate, up-to-date information on marine litter, plastic pollution and related topics, as well as a virtual forum in which stakeholders can come together.” The GPML (Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter) was launched at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in June 2012 and consolidated all data and content into the Digital Platform in September 2024.

The GPML Digital Platform is organized into three key components:

• Knowledge Hub - Crowdsourcing a vast repository/library of 2,651 curated knowledge products and materials. Elements include technical resources, events, technologies, capacity development, initiatives, action plans, policies, and financing resources.
• Data Hub - Visualizing an extensive array of 85 data layers across the plastic lifecycle, providing in-depth insights. It includes a dashboard for each country and data on trade, waste management, legacy plastics, and governance. In the map view, each category chosen creates a multicolored map and a place to find the data behind the map view.
• Community Hub - Harnessing the expertise of Four Communities of Practice (CoPs) comprised of leading experts and scientists to bridge critical knowledge and data gaps. The Communities of Practice include: data harmonization, modeling and monitoring methodologies, monitoring and assessment of plastic pollution, and informing action.

The Digital Platform also contains a Workspace for forums about marine plastic pollution issues and a Learning Center.

OpenOceans Global is a member of the GPML.