CPPC is a network comprising of over 50 environmental organisations, local marine conservation groups, beach cleaning groups and marine science experts, collectively representing tens of thousands of people in Cornwall and beyond. Each year the Coalition reports on its successes and achievements and have collected over 60 tonnes of rubbish from around Cornwall in the past five years.

In addition to beach cleans, the Group campaigns on key issues and threats related to pollution in our seas and around our coast such as balloon releases and the ban of biobeads, and also runs an extensive education programme.

Delia Webb, CPPC co-founder and coordinator, says: ‘2020 proved a challenging year for our organisations, with the loss of face-to-face activities and events hitting hard in a number of ways. But there have been positives, and throughout the pandemic our members have shown massive resilience by developing new ways of helping to care for the environment, wildlife, and each other. Going ‘online’ for meetings and education work has enabled us to extend our reach way beyond Cornwall, and we have been delivering free sessions to schools across the UK and overseas. The overall reduction in groups’ and individuals’ carbon footprints were also identified as a massive bonus.’

COVID also brought about new challenges for Cornwall’s environmental network, as communities experience excess littering, anti-social behaviour, and wildlife disturbance.