WCEF 2026: Circular Solutions to Marine Plastic Pollution
Advancing from Measurement to Real-World Impact: Circular Models for Marine Plastic Pollution.
An Accelerator Session at the 2026 World Circular Economy Forum.
17th September, 17:30 - 19:00
Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre, Gandhinagar, Gujarat
The session will showcase The India-Norway Marine Pollution Initiative (INMPI) as a model for translating evidence into action.
It will demonstrate how strengthened partnerships between governments, businesses, researchers and communities are advancing circular economy solutions to prevent marine plastic pollution.
Through experiences from India, Norway and global initiatives, the session highlights how improved measurement, policy innovation, institutional collaboration and implementation can accelerate systemic change and support healthier marine ecosystems.
India-Norway partnership on marine pollution
India and Norway share a long-standing partnership on oceans and marine environmental issues.
Established in 2019, the India-Norway Ocean Dialogue provides a bilateral framework for cooperation on ocean governance, the blue economy, and the prevention of marine pollution.
Since the launch of the INMPI, it has supported five collaborative projects across India, generating evidence, strengthening institutional capacities, and testing innovative solutions. These experiences have contributed valuable knowledge on how international cooperation can support national and local efforts to tackle marine pollution.
Session Details
*Session details subject to change. Click here for the most updated program
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Welcome
Andreas Schei, Special Envoy, Royal Norwegian Embassy New Delhi
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Opening Remarks: India-Norway partnership and the global imperative for action
May-Elin Stener, Norwegian Ambassador
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India's experience
MoEFCC
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Norway's experience in translating evidence into effective regulation and implementation
Beate Langset, Norwegian Enviornmental Agency
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Connecting science and policy for circular solutions
Karen Landmark, Managing Director, GRID-Arendal
Expert panel discussion & report launch
Session Moderator: Marianne Olsen, Development Director, NIVA
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Setting the Scene: What Does the Evidence Tell Us?
Nao Takeuchi, UNEP
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Measuring Plastic Pollution: From Footprints to Leakage Pathways
Swati Singh Sambyal, GRID-Arendal
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From National Data to Better Decisions
MoEFCC/CPCB
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Why Comparable Metrics Matter
Hans Nicolai Adam, NIVA
Moderator: Fredrik Bjerke Abdelmaguid, Royal Norwegian Consulate General Mumbai
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Cities as Laboratories for Circular Economy
Atin Biswas, Centre for Science and Environment -
Private-Sector Innovation
Ashish Sahu, CAMBI -
Private-Sector Innovation: Making Circularity Work at Scale
Gargi Pareek, TOMRA -
DRS in Practice: Lessons from Goa
Dr. Anthony de Sa, Chairman, Goa Refund Scheme Authority
Moderator: Swati Singh Sambyal, GRID-Arendal
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Norway's Perspective: Policy as an Enabler of Circular Transition
Andreas B. Schei, Norwegian Embassy -
India’s Policy Pathway for Plastics and Circular Economy
MoEFCC (TBC) -
Building an Enabling National Policy Framework for Circularity in India
UNEP India (TBC) -
From National Ambition to Local Implementation
Local government representative (TBC)
What will it take to scale circular solutions?
Moderator-led discussion with all speakers around key questions
Moderator: May-Elin Stener, Norwegian Ambassador
Discussants:
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MoEFCC
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Gargi Pareek, TOMRA
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Beate Langset, NEA
Andreas Schei, from the Royal Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi, provides some closing reflections
What:
WCEF2026 Accelerator Session: Circular Solutions to Marine Plastic Pollution
Where:
Pandit Deendayal Energy University
Knowledge Corridor, Raisan, Gandhinagar.
Gate nr. 1
When:
17. September 2026 17:30 - 19:15
Contact Team Norway
Any questions? Feel free to reach out!
Organised in collaboration with
