How A Fleet Of Autonomous Robots Is Solving A Major Pollution Problem – bgr.com

Report on the SeaClear2.0 Initiative: An Autonomous Robotic System for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Addressing Marine Pollution in Line with SDG 14

Marine plastic pollution represents a critical environmental challenge, with millions of tons of debris contaminating ocean floors and shorelines. This issue directly contravenes the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water), which aims to conserve and sustainably use marine resources. The SeaClear2.0 project presents an innovative, technology-driven approach to mitigate this problem through the deployment of autonomous robotic systems designed for litter detection and collection.

Project Framework and Global Partnership (SDG 17)

The SeaClear2.0 project, operational from January 2023 to December 2026, builds upon the foundation of the original SeaClear initiative (2020-2023). It exemplifies Sustainable Development Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by uniting a diverse international consortium of partners from nine countries. This collaboration spans the business, technology, research, and non-profit sectors, fostering a global effort to advance marine conservation technology.

Technological Innovation for Environmental Sustainability (SDG 9)

The Autonomous Robotic Fleet

The core of the SeaClear2.0 project is a sophisticated system of six coordinated autonomous and remote-controlled robots, demonstrating a clear application of Sustainable Development Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). The fleet is designed for comprehensive surface and subsurface operations:

• SeaHawk Drone: An aerial drone for identifying high-concentration areas of marine litter from the sky.
• SeaCAT USV: An Uncrewed Surface Vehicle that serves as the central communication and coordination hub, delegating tasks and collecting retrieved waste.
• SeaDragon USV: A smaller, autonomous surface vehicle that docks with the SeaCAT to offload collected plastic and transport it to coastal disposal points.
• SeaBee USV: A system of two mini-robots that tow a net to collect floating surface debris.
• Smart Grapple: An autonomous underwater vehicle connected to the SeaCAT, equipped with thrusters and a gripper to collect litter from the seafloor.
• Mini TORTUGA ROV: A Remotely Operated Vehicle that maps the seabed to provide precise location data of plastic deposits to the SeaCAT.

A Holistic Strategy for Sustainable Communities and Consumption (SDG 11 & SDG 12)

Targeted Regional Interventions

The SeaClear2.0 project extends beyond technological deployment to address the root causes of pollution, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and Sustainable Development Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). The project employs a mission-centered approach tailored to specific regional challenges.

Case Study: Marseilles, France

A stakeholder workshop in Marseilles highlighted key local issues contributing to marine pollution, including:

1. Inadequate urban waste management infrastructure.
2. High waste generation from tourism and a dense population.
3. Specific pollution problems, such as discarded e-scooters and bicycles in waterways.

In response, the project is undertaking a comprehensive analysis to identify high-impact areas and is advocating for policy and operational changes. These efforts include improving municipal waste management and promoting regulations to reduce single-use plastics, directly supporting the principles of SDG 11 and SDG 12. By integrating technological cleanup with policy advocacy and community engagement, SeaClear2.0 provides a comprehensive model for tackling marine pollution.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the SeaClear2.0 project addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its focus on tackling ocean plastic pollution using technology and international collaboration. The primary and related SDGs are:

• SDG 14: Life Below Water: This is the most directly relevant SDG. The article’s central theme is the “major problem” of “millions of tons of plastic covering the seafloor” and the effort of the SeaClear2.0 project to “clear plastic pollution” from the oceans.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The article connects ocean pollution to urban issues, mentioning how plastic waste from the Rhône river affects Marseilles. It highlights problems like “lack of strong waste management infrastructure” and the need for “improving city waste management practices,” which are key concerns of SDG 11.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The project addresses the root cause of plastic pollution by pushing for “policy and operational changes, such as improving city waste management practices and reducing the amount of single-use plastics sold.” This directly aligns with the goal of reducing waste generation.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The article showcases an innovative technological solution—a “fleet of autonomous robots”—to a major environmental challenge. The project is described as being in a “stage of constant testing and innovation,” which embodies the spirit of fostering innovation for sustainable development.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The project is an explicit example of this SDG in action. The article states that the effort “has brought together an international team of partners within the business, technology, research, and non-profit worlds” from nine different countries, highlighting a multi-stakeholder, international partnership.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues and actions described in the article, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris. The entire SeaClear2.0 project, which aims to “identify, and clear plastic pollution” from the ocean, is a direct action towards achieving this target. The article explicitly mentions tackling “plastic pollution in the oceans” and “marine debris.”
2. Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to… municipal and other waste management. The article’s discussion of Marseilles points to this target by highlighting the “lack of strong waste management infrastructure” and the project’s effort to push for “improving city waste management practices.”
3. Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse. The project’s advocacy for “reducing the amount of single-use plastics sold” is a direct attempt to prevent waste at its source, aligning with this target.
4. Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries… encouraging innovation. The SeaClear2.0 project, with its “autonomous robot” fleet and “constant testing and innovation,” serves as a model for enhancing scientific research and technological capabilities to solve environmental problems.
5. Target 17.16: Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships. The article describes the project as an “international team of partners within the business, technology, research, and non-profit worlds from Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain, and Israel,” which is a clear example of such a partnership.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article implies several indicators that could be used to measure progress, even if it does not provide specific quantitative data:

• For Target 14.1: The primary indicator is the amount of marine debris removed. The article describes how the robots “collect the plastic” and “grab plastic litter.” Therefore, an implied indicator is the quantity (in tons or volume) of plastic pollution collected by the SeaClear2.0 robotic system. The mapping of the seafloor also implies measuring the reduction in the density of plastic debris in targeted areas.
• For Target 11.6: The article mentions the specific problem of “e-scooters and rental bikes being tossed into the water.” A direct indicator of progress would be the number of large waste items (like e-scooters) removed from urban waterways by the robots. A broader indicator would be the implementation of improved waste management policies and infrastructure in partner cities like Marseilles.
• For Target 12.5: Progress can be measured by the project’s influence on policy. An indicator would be the number of new policies or regulations implemented to reduce single-use plastics in the regions where SeaClear2.0 operates.
• For Target 9.5 & 17.16: The existence and scale of the project itself are indicators. Measurable indicators include the number of autonomous robots developed and deployed, the number of international partners and countries actively participating (stated as nine), and the number of stakeholder workshops and publications produced to share knowledge.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: bgr.com