Pollution Tide Turners

Tide Turners Pollution Challenge

Learn. Act. Lead the Change.

The Tide Turners Pollution Challenge (TTPC), led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in collaboration with Centre for Environment Education (CEE) which empowers young people to understand pollution, adopt sustainable lifestyles and lead environmental action in their institution and communities.

Whether you are a student, teacher or young changemaker, begin your journey by understanding the triple planetary crisis and taking the Pollution Literacy Test and discovering how you can make a difference.

Launched in 2018 as part of UNEP's Beat Plastic Pollution campaign, the Tide Turners Plastic Challenge builds young people's capacity to tackle plastic pollution by raising awareness, engaging communities, delivering on-ground solutions and advocating for policy change.

Who can participate?

Students and youth from schools and colleges across the country
Any individual in age group of 11-25 years
Individuals and groups such as eco clubs, scouts, cadets etc.

What are these challenges?

There are three interesting gamified challenges that earn a Tide Turners Badge certificate of leadership.

Develop learners' understanding of plastic pollution, its effects on people and nature, and other environmental challenges. Reflect on learners' consumption patterns and identify sustainable alternatives. Activities: Start by watching a learning video and Giving the Pollution Literacy Test. Then planning the next level of challenge activities.

How to Participate?

A. For Schools
Empowering schools to build a generation of pollution-conscious citizens.

The TTPC School Programme supports teachers and students (age 11-18 years) in understanding sea and river pollution, promoting sustainable behaviours and implementing practical environmental actions. Schools can progress through three levels of learning and engagement.

TTPC Guidelines for Schools

Start with building an understanding about the problem before taking action. Watch the learning video, explore the educational resource and take the Pollution Literacy Test (PLT) to assess your understanding of pollution and sustainable solutions.

B. For Youth
From awareness to action. From action to leadership.

Are you passionate about the environment and interested in making a difference in your community?

TTPC Guidelines for Colleges

The TTPC invites young people (age 16-25 years) to learn about pollution, adopt sustainable lifestyles and become active participants in environmental change. The programme aims to equip youth with skills in:

Environmental leadership and behaviour change.
Communication, facilitation and community engagement.
Project planning and management.
Stakeholder engagement and environmental advocacy.
Planning, implementing and monitoring community-based conservation initiatives.

Start Your Pollution Literacy and TTPC Champion Journey.

1. Entry Level: Take the Pollution Literacy Test

Start by understanding the causes and impacts of pollution and exploring solutions that can be applied in everyday life. Refer to TTPC toolkit and orientation videos for taking the test.

TTPC Toolkit (2026)

2. Leader Level: Learn and take action

Complete the baseline survey, make a tentative action plan by identifying practical actions you can take at home, in your institution or in your community.

3. Champion Level: Become a Tide Turner

Young people interested in taking their engagement further can participate in the Conservation Leadership Programme, which focuses on developing environmental leadership and practical action skills.

Participants can work on locally relevant initiatives, including clean-up drives, waste reduction, biodiversity conservation, habitat restoration and sustainable resource management. The programme envisages training 500 youth in conservation leadership, mentoring 50 young conservation champions and documenting 25 champion stories.