This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from Ghana statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available from Ghana statistics, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other Ghana-specific metadata information.
| Goal |
Goal: 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development |
|---|---|
| Target |
Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution |
| Indicator |
Indicator 14.1.1: (a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density |
| Definition and concepts |
Concepts: Eutrophication – excess nutrient loading into coastal environments from anthropogenic sources, resulting in excessive growth of plants, algae and phytoplankton. Coastal Zone – national Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (200 nautical miles from the coast) as outlined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Marine litter - any persistent, manufactured or processed solid material which is lost or discarded and ends up in the marine and coastal environment. |
| Unit of measure |
Plastic count per km2 |
| Data sources |
Tides database |
| Data providers |
Ocean Conservancy |
| Rationale |
With over 40 percent of the human population residing in coastal areas, ecosystem degradation in these areas can have disproportionate effects on society (IGOS, 2006). One of the largest pressures on coastal environments is eutrophication, resulting primarily from land-based nutrient input from agricultural runoff and domestic wastewater discharge. Coastal eutrophication can lead to serious damage to marine ecosystems, vital sea habitats, and can cause the spread of harmful algal blooms. Marine litter is found in all the world’s oceans and seas. It constitutes an increasing risk to ecosystem health and biodiversity while entailing substantial economic costs through its impacts on public health, tourism, fishing and aquaculture. Target 14.1 aims to reduce the impacts of pollution through prevention and reduction of marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution. |
| Method of computation |
Plastic count per km2 = (1,000,000*number of plastics found)/(total area cleaned) |
| Data availability and disaggregation |
There is no available disaggregation for this indicator. |
| Metadata last updated | Oct 10, 2022 |