Implementation of SDGs: Comparison of Marine Plastic Waste Management in Indonesia and the Philippines

This research maps the challenges and roles of Indonesia and the Philippines in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 14: Life Below Water, focusing on Indicator 14.1 “Reduce Marine Pollution”. Both countries, among the top global marine plastic waste contributors, are compared using an environmental governance framework across four dimensions: actors, institutional coordination, community participation, and policy instruments. Findings reveal that Indonesia’s governance is characterized by centralized coordination through a national task force and regulatory instruments such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), while the Philippines relies more on local government units and grassroots initiatives, resulting in flexibility but fragmented implementation. Community-driven actions, such as beach cleanup programs and incentive-based schemes like “Rice for Trash,” complement institutional efforts. This study contributes to the comparative environmental governance literature by illustrating how archipelagic states with similar socio-ecological contexts adopt divergent governance strategies, highlighting the trade-offs between centralized and decentralized approaches in addressing marine plastic waste. Policy recommendations include strengthening vertical integration between national and local institutions in Indonesia, enhancing regulatory consistency and monitoring in the Philippines, and fostering cross-border collaboration for data sharing, circular economy innovations, and regionally coordinated action plans. These insights are relevant for other island nations seeking integrated, multi-level governance solutions to reduce marine plastic pollution.