The consequences are dramatic: Over 100,000 marine mammals and more than a million seabirds die each year due to plastic waste, either by ingesting it or becoming entangled in it. Microplastics are now found not only in fish and seafood but also in drinking water – and even in human tissue. Since 2010, the amount of plastic in the world’s oceans has increased significantly. If this trend continues, by 2050 the weight of plastic in the oceans could surpass that of all the fish.
The scale of the problem
- In 2025, 460 million tons of plastic waste will be produced worldwide, with between 4.8 and 12.7 million tons ending up in the ocean each year.
- Currently, around 5.25 trillion plastic particles are floating in the oceans – ranging from large macroplastic items to tiny microplastics.
- The “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” is now three times the size of France and contains over 80,000 tons of plastic waste.
- One in three fish destined for human consumption already contains microplastics.
The oceans are the life-support system of our planet: they regulate the climate, produce 70% of our oxygen, and are the main source of protein for over a billion people. The ongoing plastic pollution threatens these essential functions and endangers the health of both humans and animals alike.
Solutions: Innovation meets responsibility
Preventive Solutions
- The most effective lever is prevention: circular economy models, reusable systems, and innovative materials reduce plastic use right from the start.
- More efficient production processes and new business models focus on reuse instead of single-use.
In-Water Solutions
- Technologies for detecting, collecting, and recycling plastic in waterways are becoming increasingly important, especially in heavily polluted regions.
- Garbage collection ships, filtering systems at river mouths, and initiatives to recover “ghost nets” are examples of innovative approaches.
Systemic & Supportive Solutions
- Digitalization, infrastructure, data platforms, and regulatory frameworks are essential to close loops and scale global solutions.
- International agreements and binding standards can curb the flood of plastic and hold manufacturers more accountable.
The Green Tech Portfolio – Investing with Impact
With the Green Tech ESG Equity Fund, we invest specifically in large, globally active companies that are part of the solution with scalable technologies. These companies have the resources, market access, and innovative strength to make a global impact in the area of “Plastic in the Oceans.” Examples from our portfolio include:
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Tomra Systems (Recycling and sorting technology)
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Engie (Sustainable energy and infrastructure projects)
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Atlas Copco (Resource-efficient industrial solutions)
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Schneider Electric (Energy management & automation)
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Iberdrola (Renewable energy worldwide)
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SAP (Digital solutions for circular economy & transparency)
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Veolia (Water treatment & waste management)
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ABB (Electrification and automation)
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Ecolab (Resource conservation in industry)
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Air Liquide (Clean industrial and environmental technologies)
These companies develop and scale solutions that are both preventive and reactive – from reducing plastic use to the efficient collection and recycling of plastic waste.
Conclusion: Investing with foresight
Plastic pollution in the oceans is one of the greatest ecological challenges of our time. But with innovation, responsibility, and targeted investments, we can be part of the solution. Our Green Tech Portfolio focuses on companies driving change with sustainable technologies and global impact – for healthy oceans and a livable future.