“The fundament is changing. While the world is facing up to the challenges of Climate Change, we must also address the realities of Ocean Change. Accumulated human activities have created the rise in greenhouse gases that is causing warming atmospheric temperatures, resulting in corresponding warming of the Ocean, deoxygenation and acidification.
At the same time, sea levels are rising inexorably, marine and coastal ecosystems are being degraded, unsustainable fishing practices persist, and marine pollution is reaching unconscionable levels. . . These are the years for action and implementation. These are the years of inclusivity, with communities of action partnering up the scientific community, non-governmental organizations, intergovernmental organizations, the private sector and States in a common endeavor to conserve and sustainably manage the resources of the Ocean.” – Peter Thomson, United Nations (U.N.) Special Envoy for the Ocean.
A new report from the Ocean and Climate Initiatives Alliance (OCIA), titled “Measuring Progress on Ocean and Climate Initiatives: An Action-Oriented Report” provides an overview of ocean-based solutions for climate change adaptation and mitigation within the framework of the Global Climate Action Agenda.
The report presents a comprehensive analysis of actions led by international initiatives to move from political momentum to implementation of action through multi-stakeholder partnerships. The present report maps advances made by initiatives on ocean and climate action and identifies the future roles of OCIA in ensuring effective and multilateral cooperation.
The OCIA Report presents key achievements made by OCIA initiatives, including key adaptation and mitigation impacts, and contributions to enhancing scientific understanding of ocean and climate interlinkages. It concludes with three strategies for the continuation of the Ocean and Climate Initiatives Alliance at COP23, in Bonn, and beyond, including: Shaping a universal ocean language; providing complementarity between creation of scientific knowledge and policy-making; and strengthening communication around specific ocean issues. To read the full report, click here.
This OCIA report and its conclusions will be presented during the OCP’s side event « From Science to Action, the Ocean and Climate Initiatives Alliance », which will take place on 10 November from 11.30 am to 1.00 pm at the French Pavilion, in the Bonn Zone of COP23. Mr Peter Thomson will provide the opening remarks, highlighting the ocean action strategy to drive SDG14 from here to 2020. A high-level discussion on the place of the ocean, its science and actions within climate dynamics – with the participation of Hon Anote Tong, Former President of Kiribati, together with several panelists from the scientific community, decision-makers and civil society.
