June 8, 2022

Welcome to the World Oceans Day 2022 issue of the Ocean & Climate News. This issue focuses on the major ocean-related events in 2022, including information on concluded and upcoming events, perspectives on the UN Ocean Conference and the Fifth substantive session of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ), and preparations in the lead-up to COP27. The major events include, among others: One Planet Summit for the Ocean (9-11 February 2022); 4th IGC on BBNJ (7-18 March 2022); 7th Our Ocean Conference (12-14 April 2022); UN Ocean Conference (27 June-1 July 2022); CBD COP-15 Part Two: Face-to-Face Meetings (29 August–9 September 2022 tentative); 5th IGC on BBNJ (15-26 August 2022); and UNFCCC COP27 (7-18 November 2022). The plethora of events provides an opportunity for the ocean community to practice and apply proven ways of integration, coordination, and collaboration, e.g., increasing interlinkages among sectors to reflect the common nature of their goals; use the sustainable development goals (SDGs) as a checklist; hosting cross-sectoral events; promoting the links between environment and sustainable development; tying funding to joint development and environmental outcomes, among others (see Purvis 2016).

But first, we’d like to greet you all a Happy World Oceans Day! The global celebration of World Oceans Day 2022 focuses on the communities, ideas, and solutions that are working together to protect and revitalize the ocean and everything it sustains.

TITLE: Revitalization: Collective Action for the Ocean
TIME: 10:00 AM-1:30 PM EDT
LIVESTREAM: https://unworldoceansday.org/un-world-oceans-day-2022/
HOST: UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022-united-nations-world-oceans-day-event-registration-272875797857

TITLE: For a global mobilization for the ocean
TIME: 11:00AM (GMT)
ORGANIZER: University of Brest
EVENT POINT OF CONTACT: Joelle Richard, University of Brest, Joelle.Richard@univ-brest.fr
REGISTRATION: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MQ7w8uHHRbOnqlYK8b33dQ

TITLE: High-level event on the Human rights of Small-scale Fishers
DATE AND TIME: Monday 6 June, 13:00-15:00 GMT
ORGANIZER: One Ocean Hub
EVENT POINT OF CONTACT: Senia Febrica, One Ocean Hub, senia.febrica@strath.ac.uk

TITLE: Blue Heritage: The Role of Ocean Art and Culture in Ocean Science and Management
DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, 7 June, 13:00-14:30 GMT
EVENT POINT OF CONTACT: Senia Febrica, One Ocean Hub, senia.febrica@strath.ac.uk

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One Planet Summit for the Ocean

After two days of discussions and debates, some 40 Heads of State and Government responded positively to the invitation of the President of the French Republic to commit for the ocean at the One Planet Summit for the Ocean in Brest (9-11 February 2022). Addressing 4 main themes: the protection of marine ecosystems, the fight against pollution, the fight against climate change, and ocean governance, political and private sector representatives met to discuss the future of our global ocean. The meeting showed a promising dynamic ahead of the many ocean-related international meetings to come in 2022. Read the synthesis of the summit’s main announcements here. – Anaïs Deprez, Ocean & Climate Platform

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7th Our Ocean Conference, Palau

The seventh Our Ocean Conference, titled “Our Ocean, Our People, Our Prosperity,” was held in Koror, Palau on April 13-14, 2022. Co-hosted by the Republic of Palau and the United States, the conference drew more than 600 participants representing more than 70 foreign delegations and 150 non-state actors. The first to be held in a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), the conference placed special attention on the importance of ocean-based climate solutions, including offshore renewable energy, marine nature-based solutions, and shipping decarbonization, as well as the importance of a healthy ocean to small island states and communities around the globe. The conference concluded with 410 commitments worth $16.35 billion to support concrete action to advance ocean issues, including ocean-climate issues. To read more about the Conference, please go here; see who the Conference partners were here; see the Conference photos here. – Bridge Thomas, Office of the President, Republic of Palau

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7th Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction 2022

The seventh session of the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction 2022 (GP2022) was held from 23 to 28 May 2022, in Bali Indonesia under the theme “From Risk to Resilience: Towards Sustainable Development for All in a COVID-19 Transformed World.” On the occasion of GP2022, a seminar on “Migration, Dignity, Fragility and Pandemics: Livelihoods of immigrants before and after COVID-19 Pandemics” was organized by the Environmental Law Institute, the Global Infrastructure Fund Research Foundation Japan and the Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, on 24 May 2022 in Bali, to discuss the research results published in the Journal of Disaster Research Vol.17 (2022) No.3 (Apr), Special issue on Migration, Dignity, Fragility, and Pandemics, which can be accessed here. – Miko Maekawa, Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation

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The UN Ocean Conference, Lisbon

The UN Ocean Conference is upon us at last! Postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Conference will be held on June 27 to July 1, 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal, co-hosted by the Governments of Kenya and Portugal. We invited Dr. Nigel Bradly, GOF Policy Advisory Board Member, to provide his perspective on Blue Economy, one of the recurring themes of the Conference, which focuses on the implementation of SDG14. We also provided a list of some of the side events that we have information on.

• Perspective on Blue Economy by Nigel Bradly, CEO, Envirostrat

The Blue Economy involves recognizing the ocean as a primary life source of our planet, vital for human well-being and a thriving global economy. Blue Economy requires a move beyond the business-as-usual approach underpinned by simple resource extraction and depletion. It fosters new and emerging sectors with innovation and climate as core elements and a systems-wide view of development to maximize the benefits of marine ecosystem services. It also enables low impact growth of traditional ocean industries with a transition toward restorative marine economies that are defined by circular and inclusive economic models.

The current scope and variety of challenges facing oceans call for making hard, strategic investment choices about where the most impact can be most efficient. Investments in the Blue Economy cannot be considered in isolation. Instead, they should be seen as part of a dynamic, sustainable and interconnected ocean economy where socioeconomic growth is pursued in an integrated fashion. Enabling investments in blue economy sectors requires an interactive engagement of governments, businesses, investors, and funds, each playing a complementary or synergistic role. Their collective action can promote economic growth by altering practices and regulations, engaging in new performance measures, developing low-carbon and resource-efficient opportunities while improving livelihoods, creating jobs, and preserving the health of ocean ecosystems.

Blue economy can thrive if governments regulating marine-dependent economic sectors switch from siloed approaches to integrated ones. Most externalities generated by one sector are borne by others and are neither monitored nor accurately measured. A purely sectoral approach does not allow the Blue Economy to grow as fast as it could, as the development of one sector can prevent the full optimal development of the others. Governments can ensure climate change and environmental degradation prevention are mainstreamed into policies and requirements for future investments while developing strategic planning for using marine space and resources. Integrated coastal zone management plans and marine spatial planning are examples of policy instruments that can be designed or improved to address impacts of land-based sources of marine pollution, incorporate marine natural capital accounting, identify ecosystem thresholds, improve climate resilience, and maximize socioeconomic and cultural benefits from marine resources.

A Blue Economic approach will require scaling up the available financial resources, including fostering sustainable private investment. While governments may lead additional actions to promote Blue Economy by engaging in public expenditure reviews, value chain assessments, and natural capital accounting, collaborating with funds and private investors can expand and reveal new funding venues for innovative blue economy ventures. Leveraging the Blue Economy potential includes fostering sustainable private investment, building a favorable climate for investors and innovative finance products, such as blue bonds or climate bonds. Natural asset valuation incorporated into payments for ecosystem services (PES) schemes and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) strategies are also examples of innovative investable approaches. The combination of an enabling environment promoted by public investment and the strategic deployment of impact funding and concessional grants or loans can enable ‘crowding in’ of private finance and the integration of blue-related risks in financing decisions.

The motivation for blue economy investments which is increasing given the awareness of the risks of climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation in coastal and marine areas is rising fast amongst policymakers and investors. However, capturing investors’ interest in Blue Economy solutions still requires a greater focus on developing investment-ready projects, developing project pipelines, and validating models for investable projects that are replicable and scalable.

• Side Events at the UN Ocean Conference

TITLE: From Science to Action: Blueing the Paris Agreement
DATE AND TIME: Monday 27 June, 13.00-14.15 WEST
LOCATION: Altice Arena (Room 2)
LEAD ORGANIZERS: Government of France, the UNFCCC, and the Ocean & Climate Platform
EVENT POINT OF CONTACT: Loreley Picourt, Ocean & Climate Platform, lpicourt@ocean-climate.org

TITLE: The future and ocean WE (ALL) want: Inclusion and integration for strong, sustainable and equitable blue economies
DATE AND TIME: Tuesday 28 June, 13:00-15:00 Lisbon Time (12:00-14:00 GMT)
LOCATION: Alfama room, Tivoli Oriente Hotel, Lisbon, Portugal
LEAD ORGANIZER: One Ocean Hub
EVENT POINT OF CONTACT: Senia Febrica, One Ocean Hub, senia.febrica@strath.ac.uk

TITLE: Welcome out of the box! From blue food for thought to blue food for action: Making ocean protection the norm rather than the exception
DATE AND TIME: Tuesday 28 June, 16h00-17h30
LOCATION: Auditorio III – PT Meeting Centre, R. do Bojador 1990-048 Lisbon
LEAD ORGANIZER: Varda Group
EVENT POINT OF CONTACT: Remi Parmentier, The Varda Group, remi@vardagroup.org

TITLE: Celebrating over 10 years of building capacity and catalyzing partnerships towards achieving global ocean goals
DATE AND TIME: Wednesday 29 June, 8:30-11:00 PM
LOCATION: York House, Rua das Janelas Verdes, N.º 32 1200-691, Lisboa – Portugal
LEAD ORGANIZER: University of Brest
EVENT POINT OF CONTACT: Joelle Richard, University of Brest, Joelle.Richard@univ-brest.fr

TITLE: Creating a Blue Society: Innovative solutions for sustainable ocean and coastal management action
DATE AND TIME: Thursday 30 June, 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM
LOCATION: Altice Arena (Side event room 2)
LEAD ORGANIZER: Global Ocean Forum
EVENT POINT OF CONTACT: Miriam Balgos, Global Ocean Forum, mbalgos@globaloceanforum.com

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5th Intergovernmental Conference on BBNJ

• Perspective: High Seas within our reach! Progress report on the UN treaty for marine biodiversity conservation and sustainable use beyond national boundaries by Peggy Kalas (Director, High Seas Alliance), Kristina M. Gjerde (Senior High Seas Advisor, IUCN), and Nichola Clark (Officer, The Pew Charitable Trusts; PhD candidate, University of Wollongong)

After decades of work to progress discussions surrounding the need for an international treaty on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, world governments are now engaged in the final stages of negotiations at the United Nations. The final round was delayed from March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following two years of informal, virtual, intersessional work, the fourth negotiating session of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC4) took place at UN headquarters from 7-18 March 2022, where encouraging progress was made. However, pandemic-related challenges, including the inability to participate in in-person meetings ahead of the session, high turnover of UN delegates, and restrictions on country and civil society participation, stymied hopes of concluding treaty negotiations during this last session.

Nonetheless, the IGC was still a remarkable success considering the circumstances. Many governments engaged with a renewed sense of urgency and flexibility, and States delved deeply into substantive negotiations. Delegations were eager to work together to progress key issues, which resulted in new areas of convergence amongst many regional groupings.

An additional negotiating session (IGC5) has been scheduled to address remaining gaps and sticking points. Taking place from 15-26 August, many regional groups and countries are working to ensure that this fifth meeting produces a finalized treaty text. This goal is supported by the 47 Heads of State who have joined the BBNJ “High Ambition Coalition” (HAC), which commits to achieve an ambitious outcome in 2022.

In this short intersessional period before IGC5, the High Seas Alliance including IUCN is making every effort to keep and build momentum through upcoming opportunities at international fora (e.g., UN Ocean Conference) and beyond. To facilitate more targeted negotiations, the President of the IGC, Rena Lee, released a further revised draft text of the BBNJ Agreement in late May, with comments due 25 July.

A number of key issues still need to be resolved, likely at political levels, and it is also not too early to start thinking of ways to accelerate the eventual treaty’s entry into force, and to enhance the capacity, science, technology, financial, and other resources of all States, particularly developing countries, to effectively and equitably implement the treaty. Critical gaps in management, scientific, and technological capacity to safeguard marine biodiversity in the face of accelerating climate and other human pressures need to be addressed now. The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration are excellent opportunities to advance collective knowledge and action.

After nearly two decades of discussions and negotiations, it is vital that we conclude the high seas treaty negotiations in 2022. It is even more important that the substance of the treaty be worth the twenty-year-long process– it should reflect the ambition that we need to meaningfully transform ocean governance and finally put into place legal safeguards to protect marine life, ensure use of our shared global commons is sustainable, and promote an ocean future that will benefit generations to come.

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Ocean & Climate News

SBSTA 56

The 56th session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) will be held from 6 to 16 June 2022, in Bonn, Germany.

Side Event on Coordination and collaboration on Ocean-based climate actions towards sustainable development, June 7, 2022

This event showcased action-driven trans-disciplinary science and cross-sectoral collaboration towards strengthening cooperation and collaboration among stakeholders and relevant UN bodies to adapt to the climate-induced challenges placed on the ocean and thus improve sustainable development, limiting warming to 1.5 °C, enhancing NDCs, and helping achieve Net Zero. Co-organized by the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, UK; Global Ocean Forum; Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan; Réseau Océan Mondial (World Ocean Network), Belgium and Nausicaá Centre National de la Mer, France. View event here. – Thecla Keizer, Plymouth Marine Laboratory

SBSTA Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue 2022

This year’s iteration of the mandated dialogue on the ocean and climate change to consider how to strengthen ocean-based action on climate change to be held annually, takes place on 15 June, 15:00 – 19:00 at the World Conference Center in Bonn. An in-person event with webcast, the dialogue will explore two topics through moderated panels: 1) Strengthening and integrating national ocean climate action under the Paris Agreement; and 2) Enabling ocean climate solutions and optimizing institutional connections. See the dialogue agenda here. To participate, go here.

Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action Meetings

A Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action (MP-GCA) Meeting held on 20 May 2022 provided an opportunity for the High-Level Champions to share their vision and priorities for COP 27 as well as provide updates on the progress made in the operationalization of the improved Partnership for enhancing ambition, the Global Stocktake and the plans towards the UN Climate Change SB sessions in June. Meeting participants welcomed Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, the new UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for Egypt.

A MP-GCA Ocean & Coastal Zones Meeting on Planning for the Ocean and Climate Change SBSTA Dialogue and the UN Ocean Conference was held on 31 May 2022. Contacts: MP-GCA Ocean & Coastal Zones co-focal points: Loreley Picourt, Ocean & Climate Platform (lpicourt@ocean-climate.org) and Tamara Thomas, Conservation International (tthomas@conservation.org)

Virtual Ocean Pavilion

COP26 VOP’s new home

The COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion assets have been migrated to the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative website. You may view the webpage here, where visitors can continue to access the VOP event recordings and the information and resources provided in the exhibit booths.

Opportunity for further collaboration: COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion

To help realize the ocean and climate change agenda through the Virtual Ocean Pavilion at COP27, the co-organizers are welcoming sponsors as well as additional partners. The design of the COP27 Virtual Ocean Pavilion will take into consideration the cascade of ocean and ocean-related events in 2022, the COP27 priorities, as well as the lessons learned in the development of the platform and feedback received from the survey of COP26 Pavilion attendees.

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Other Stories

Cross-sectoral Capacity Development in ABNJ Project endorsed for GEF financing

The project on Building and Enhancing Sectoral and Cross-sectoral capacity to support sustainable resource use and biodiversity conservation in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction, one of the child projects under the Global Environment Facility-funded Common Oceans Programme, received the GEF CEO endorsement for financing. The Global Ocean Forum will lead the execution of the project which is scheduled to start in December 2022, together with implementing agency UNEP, and executing partners UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre, GRID-Arendal, Comisión Permanente del Pacífico Sur, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat/OPOC, University of the South Pacific, and Universidad Católica del Norte.

Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain Memorial Fund

The Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain Memorial Fund campaign, launched by the Global Ocean Forum in December 2021 to support the development of an internship and fellowship program, has surpassed its goal. Additional contributions are welcome.

A celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain among colleagues, family, and friends will be held on September 4, 2022, at the Decatur House in Washington DC. In addition to remarks commemorating the life and works of Biliana, the event will feature the announcement about the Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain Fellowship Program. For more information on the event, please contact Ms. Vanessa Cicin-Sain Knecht (vcs.knecht@gmail.com).

Ocean Gallery: St. Lucia

LaVerne Walker, GOF Policy Advisory Board member, provided a teaser on the lovely views of the coast of St. Lucia.

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Prepared by Miriam Balgos and Johanna Vonderhorst

From the calm seas of the Caribbean Sea, to the higher wave energy of the Atlantic Ocean coast, these pictures show a glimpse of Saint Lucia’s coastal areas. A country once called the Helen of the West. Laverne Walker shares some pictures from her island nation.

© LaVerne Walker

December 24, 2021

Welcome to the final issue of Ocean & Climate News for 2021. We report on the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, the ROCA report on Assessing Progress on Ocean and Climate Action: 2020-2021, a COP26 side event on Ocean solutions: Coordination and collaboration for ocean-based mitigation and adaptation, and other Global Ocean Forum news. But first, the important ocean-related outcomes of COP26…

After a decade of joint initiatives by the ocean-climate community to promote the recognition of the importance of oceans in the climate change process and ambition under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, we welcome the incorporation of the ocean into the text of the COP26 outcome document Glasgow Climate Pact, which:

• Welcomes the informal summary reports by the Chair of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice on the ocean and climate change dialogue to consider how to strengthen adaptation and mitigation action and on the dialogue on the relationship between land and climate change adaptation related matters (Paragraph 58)

• Invites the relevant work programmes and constituted bodies under the UNFCCC to consider how to integrate and strengthen ocean-based action in their existing mandates and workplans and to report on these activities within the existing reporting processes, as appropriate (Paragraph 60)

• Invites the Chair of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice to hold an annual dialogue, starting at the fifty-sixth session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (June 2022), to strengthen ocean-based action and to prepare an informal summary report thereon and make it available to the Conference of the Parties at its subsequent session (Paragraph 61).

See the COP26 outcome document here.

Virtual Ocean Pavilion

The COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion was the product of a coordinated effort among the Global Ocean Forum, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, the Oceano Azul Foundation, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative, along with 30 collaborating partners. The Pavilion was live from October 31 until November 12, 2021, and served as a platform for the amplification of the voice of the ocean and for raising the visibility of ocean issues during climate negotiations at COP26. Due to the virtual nature of the Pavilion, which was held fully online, the Pavilion was able to reach a wider audience, including those who were unable to attend the COP in person due to COVID-19. Over 1900 registrants logged in during the COP to attend live events and to view the wealth of on-demand content available in the VOP’s Treasure Trove and 26 organizer booths. The Virtual Ocean Pavilion can be accessed here. The COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion post-event summary report and survey as well as a press release are available here. On-demand access to the VOP has been extended until March 12, 2022.

ROCA Report on Assessing Progress on Ocean and Climate Action: 2020-2021

COP26 Side Event

The International Coastal and Ocean Organization (secretariat of the Global Ocean Forum), Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, the World Ocean Network, the Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean,the Oceano Azul Foundation, and Acadia University co-organized a COP26 side event on coordination and collaboration for ocean-based mitigation and adaptation held on November 4, 2021. This event showcased the effectiveness of action-driven, trans-disciplinary science and cross-sectoral collaboration in helping stakeholders to adapt to the climate-induced challenges placed on the ocean and to improve sustainable development, reduce emissions, and limit global warming. See the side event agenda here. A video recording of the event can be viewed here.

Global Ocean Forum & Other News

Cross-sectoral ABNJ Project

Preparation of the UNEP/GEF project on Building and Enhancing Sectoral and Cross-Sectoral Capacity to Support Sustainable Resource Use and Biodiversity Conservation in Marine Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (Cross-Sectoral ABNJ Project) under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Common Oceans Program Phase II has completed and is now under GEF review for final approval. The project, which is expected to commence implementation in the fall of 2022 with the GOF as the lead executing agency, aims to develop and strengthen capacity for sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination among national, regional and global institutions in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in ABNJ. For more information about this project and other projects under the Common Oceans Program Phase II, please visit the program website here.

GOF Strategic Planning Process and New Policy Advisory Board

The Global Ocean Forum is honored to announce the formation of its new Policy Advisory Board consisting of 36 ocean experts. Members of the Policy Advisory Board come from diverse backgrounds and offer expertise in ocean and climate issues, marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction, integrated ocean and coastal management, and the blue economy at the global, regional, national, and civil society levels. Meetings were held on November 24 and November 25, 2021 to welcome the new members and to discuss the Strategic Planning process to be led by the Policy Advisory Board moving forward in the coming months. See the list of Policy Advisory Board members here.

Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain Memorial Fund

The Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain Memorial Fund was launched at the beginning of this month with the objective of supporting future graduate and undergraduate research fellows in continuation of Dr. Cicin-Sain’s mission to foster the professional growth and development of students in the marine policy field. Donations can be made through the Fund page on the Global Ocean Forum website.

One Ocean Summit, 9 – 11 February 2022, Brest, France

Organized by the French government, the One Ocean Summit is an international summit on the ocean which will focus on related topics that include: Maritime heritage and museums: Changing the way we look at the Ocean; Women, voices for the Ocean: Women conquering the seas; Greening maritime corridors: Ships of the future; Cities tackling sea level rise; Great ports green energy transition for a sustainable development; and Education on the sea: Ocean for youth. For more information about the Summit, contact Ms. Anaïs Deprez (outreach@ocean-climate.org), Ocean and Climate Platform.

Prepared by Johanna Vonderhorst and Miriam Balgos

October 15, 2021

The Global Ocean Forum and partners are pleased to invite you to join the ocean and climate community in promoting the oceans agenda at the UNFCCC COP26 in Glasgow, UK from 31 October to 12 November 2021 through the COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion.

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Register to access live and on–demand COP26 ocean events, explore virtual exhibition booths and discover the Treasure Trove to learn more about the ocean and climate connection.

Watch. Inquire. Share. Connect. Act.

This COP26 Virtual Ocean Pavilion is dedicated to showcasing why the ocean matters in climate negotiations and to all life on our planet. It aims to increase knowledge, commitment and action for the ocean-climate nexus at the UN Climate Conference (COP26) in Glasgow this November.

Participation

Registration is free and will provide you with online access to live ocean events on November 1, 5, and 12 and on-demand content from 31 October – 12 November. All you will need is a Wi-Fi connection and a smart phone, tablet, or computer.

Features

This pavilion will:

1. Highlight important ocean events, such as those planned by the UNFCCC Secretariat under the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA), the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action (MP-GCA), and VOP collaborating partners;
2. Host panel sessions linking the ocean with the themes of the GCA events and SBSTA Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue themes to provide input to these discussions;
3. Feature interviews with Party negotiators and representatives of non-Party stakeholders to gain insights on the status of discussions;
4. Provide a gateway to ocean and climate stories from around the world through virtual exhibits, on-demand videos, reports and other online resources.

Gateway to COP26 Ocean Events

We invite you to register your COP26 ocean-related events in the Ocean Events Tracker Smartsheet Forms organized by the Ocean Conservancy. Entries will become part of a calendar of ocean events accessible through the Virtual Ocean Pavilion and based on information gathered through the Tracker.

Co-organizers

Coordinated by the Global Ocean Forum, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, the Oceano Azul Foundation, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO under the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative, in collaboration with many other partners from across the globe.

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Report on Assessing Progress on Ocean and Climate Action 2020-2021

This report, which is the final volume in an annual series of assessments of ocean and climate science, policy, and action organized by the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA) Initiative, will be launched during the opening of the Virtual Ocean Pavilion on November 1.

August 6, 2021

The Virtue of Virtual Events

Some definitions.

• Virtual event: An online event that involves people interacting in a virtual environment, rather than a physical location.
• Lobby: A 3D or 2D area where attendees are placed upon entering an event and where attendees can choose sessions and streams to “attend.”
• Live streaming: Transmitting or receiving live video and audio coverage of an event over the Internet.
• On demand: Prerecording of a live event, keynote, or session that attendees can watch any time on their schedule
• Chat rooms: Can be used to send a message in real-time to an entire event audience or to presenters. (Many event platforms also offer features for attendees to set up group or 1:1 chats with one another outside of live sessions in the lobby or a designated lounge area)
• Avatar: A two- or three-dimensional visual representation of an attendee used in online events.
• Booth: A 3D or page-based space within a larger virtual event where attendees can engage directly with an exhibitor. A number of assets can be displayed here, including static text, logos, banners, video, and contact forms. Live discussions, demos, and presentations can also take place.

Why go virtual? A virtual format will ensure that the event will be:

• Totally within the co-organizers’ control in terms of timing, allowing flexibility to respond to changes outside of organizers’ control
• Adaptable and scalable
• Long-lasting and accessible – being hosted online means assets will be available long-after the event has ended
• Relatively less costly – eliminates the costs of a physical pavilion
• More inclusive – will reach a much wider audience
• Climate friendly – reduces carbon footprint

Exhibitor booths. In addition to panel sessions in virtual auditoriums, virtual exhibitor booths are also common in virtual events. Video and chat features as well as virtual meeting rooms for live interaction are the key features of exhibitor booths.

A variety of interactive features are available to registered participants including: 1) Live chat during session; 2) Q&A; 3) Polling; 4) Evaluations; 5) Forming links and networking; among others.

Examples of recent virtual ocean events include The Economist‘s World Ocean Summit; the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action Race to Zero Dialogues Oceans and Coastal Zone event which drew around 40,000 attendees; the SBSTA Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue to consider how to strengthen adaptation and mitigation action; and the Monaco Ocean Week.

Virtual Ocean Pavilion at COP26: Call for Collaborators and Sponsors

Organizations and policymakers from across our blue planet have converged at this period of existential threat and are looking for your support to create a Virtual Ocean Pavilion to increase knowledge, commitment and action for the ocean-climate nexus at the Climate Conference (COP26) this November in Glasgow.

Why an Ocean Pavilion?

The ocean and climate are intrinsically linked, one cannot function without the other, and yet the ocean has lacked any real seat at the table under the UNFCCC climate negotiations. Without this essential piece of the puzzle, climate ambition will be hindered, and the ocean crisis will worsen. Furthermore, since the majority of the global ocean has no “owners” (and therefore no representative or voice of its own like nations) but covers 72% of the world’s surface and over 90% of the living space on the planet, then it should have a pavilion all of its own and thus make that point that it is central to life on Earth. In order to give it a voice it needs a prominent presence at the climate negotiations in its own right.

A dedicated Ocean Pavilion would raise the visibility of the ocean and showcase why the ocean matters in climate negotiations and to all life on our planet – not surprisingly the ocean transcends across all the COP26 Presidency themes in a unified way like no other topic, from finance to energy to nature, land, resilience, industry, transport, to cities and science and innovation. As the ocean concerns everyone, the Virtual Ocean Pavilion has the capability of engaging and reaching those that cannot attend COP26 in-person and presents a long-lasting resource for all – leaving no one behind.

Collaborate

To help realize this Virtual Ocean Pavilion, the co-organizers are welcoming sponsors as well as additional partners. For interested parties, please contact us here.

Reports on Assessing Progress on Ocean and Climate Action

These reports comprise an annual series of assessments of ocean and climate science, policy, and action organized by the ROCA Initiative. Following the organization of the Strategic Action Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action: 2016-2021, these progress reports address an inter-related “package” of issues, including, inter alia: recognizing the central role of oceans in climate; using ocean-based mitigation approaches (such as Blue Carbon, reducing air emissions from ships, renewable energy; carbon capture and storage); deploying a wide variety of adaptation measures, especially based on ecosystem approaches; fostering the low carbon Blue Economy; addressing the issues of human displacement; and providing adequate provision of financial flows and of capacity development. Preparation of the 2020-2021 volume is underway.

COP26 side event and exhibit

A side event application on “Ocean solutions: Coordination and collaboration for ocean-based mitigation and adaptation” was submitted with the following co-applicants: GOF/ICO, Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), World Ocean Network, OPRI, and Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean (POGO).

An exhibit application on “Why the Ocean Matters in Climate Negotiations – Climate challenges, impact and options towards sustainable ocean development through interactive outreach: connecting science, industry, policy and youth by sharing knowledge via dialogues, international collaboration, art, observation and capacity building” was also submitted, led by PML.

Other COP26 News

• The Official Registration System (ORS) for COP26 will be open for nomination of representatives from 2 August to 31 August 2021, 23:59 CEST. It will then reopen for confirmation of representatives from 6 September to 22 October 2021, 23:59 CEST.

Recent Publications

• Dr. Carol Turley, Dr. Phil Williamson and Professor Ric Williams explain why we must pay attention to the climate extremes in the ocean in this article published in Environmental Journal. Tweet here.
• From One Ocean Hub:
  • Transformative Governance for Ocean Biodiversity (here)
  • The Relevance of the Human Right to Science for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A New Legally Binding Instrument to Support Co-Production of Ocean Knowledge across Scales (here)
  • Climate Change Impacts on Atlantic Oceanic Island Tuna Fisheries (here)
  • Ecological-Fishery Forecasting of Squid Stock Dynamics under Climate Variability and Change: Review, Challenges, and Recommendations (here)

Timeout for Ocean Photos and Puzzles

• New Ocean Photos: China and UK
• Solutions to Ocean and Climate Crossword and Mystère Octo Puzzle

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Prepared by Miriam Balgos, Global Ocean Forum.

A few shots of the England and Wales coast in the UK taken by Dr. Peter Whalley, Environmental Consultant working with the Global Ocean Forum and partners in the preparation of the UNEP/GEF project on Building and Enhancing Sectoral and Cross-Sectoral Capacity to Support Sustainable Resource Use and Biodiversity Conservation in Marine Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction.

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Xiamen Bay, home to several million people as well as rare and endangered species, is located in the southeast of China. Xiamen City is well known for its natural beauty of coastlines and convenient port location, which contribute to its position of high rank of coastal tourism destination and shipping industry.

As one of the first demonstration sites of the integrated coastal management (ICM) program initiated by the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), Xiamen is a pioneer in the implementation of ICM and marine spatial planning in China.

Dr. Qinhua Fang, Professor in the College of the Environment & Ecology (CEE) and Deputy Director, Coastal and Ocean Management Institute (COMI), Xiamen University, PR China shares some of the wonderful views from Xiamen.

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Xiamen City, China © Qinhua Fang / Weidi Yang

July 1, 2021

Welcome to the July 2021 issue of the Ocean and Climate News. This issue covers the recent UN ICP meeting on sea level rise and its impacts; UN Ocean Decade and other news from IOC-UNESCO; ocean events and other news related to the upcoming Glasgow climate conference (UNFCCC COP26), and the sinking of a cargo ship off the coast of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The oil is still on board, but experts believe it is likely to spill…

The X-Press Pearl cargo ship caught fire in the Sri Lanka territorial waters off Negombo, a suburb of Colombo, the nation’s capital in late May. While the Sri Lankan Navy was trying to haul the ship to deeper water, it sunk and now the front section is on the ocean floor. The ship was carrying chemicals, nitric acid, 350 tons of fuel oil and 78 tons – allegedly over 3 billion micro-plastic pellets, all of which spilled into the water and washed up on to the beaches. It is believed that the ingestion of plastic pellets from the cargo ship is associated with the death of turtles, dolphins, sharks and whales which had washed ashore.

The oil is still on board, but experts believe it is likely to spill, with monsoon winds which may cause the wreck to move. Apart from the disastrous impacts to the marine environment, the socio-economic impacts are also serious because fisheries and tourism are major revenue-earning sectors in the country. Nearshore fishing is now banned, and fishers have lost their livelihood, and the tourist establishments that dot the west coast are also deeply affected.

Care should be taken in deciding whether the ship should be moved or not because of the possibility of oil spillage. If the oil does spill, the disaster will not only affect the Sri Lankan marine environment but also impact neighboring countries. A preventive measure could start with government review of procedures for allowing shipping vessels entry into the ports, including greater communication with neighboring countries such as India which had denied this ship from entering its ports due to reports that it was damaged. For more information about this story, see recent reports here and here. – Indumathie Hewawasam, Sustainable Oceans and Coasts and GOF

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ICP-21 Focuses on Sea Level Rise and Its Impacts

The twenty-first meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (ICP) took place virtually from 14 to 18 June 2021. The participants of the meeting, which focused on sea-level rise and its impacts, heard from expert presenters about the latest scientific projections relating to sea-level rise, the impacts of sea-level rise, and the associated scientific, socio-economic and legal challenges, as well as adaptation measures.

According to the information provided, the global mean sea level has been rising since 1993 at a mean rate of 3.1 ± 0.3 mm per year, and the rise is accelerating by approximately 0.1 mm per year. There is a strong regional variability in the rates of sea level change, with rates in some regions up to 2–3 times higher than the global mean.

The largest contributions to rising future global mean sea level are expected from ocean warming and resulting thermal expansion, and from melt water flows from glaciers and Greenland and Antarctic Ice Sheets. Major uncertainties in estimating future sea level rise are due to the contribution of melt water from the Antarctic Ice Sheet and the extent of future carbon dioxide emissions.

This has major implications for the more than 600 million people living in coastal areas beneath the 10-m contour, and to some of the world’s biggest cities and ports located on the coast. Impacts of sea level rise will be felt by all coastal States but will be particularly severe in low lying coastal and island States. These impacts raise social and economic concerns, as well as concerns relating to international law. International cooperation will be required at all levels to respond to these challenges.

Negative impacts include a dramatic increase in flood risk from storm surges and tidal flooding. There is evidence of increased coastal flooding, coastal erosion and saline intrusion which is affecting agriculture and aquaculture and causing loss of habitats. Climate change, including sea-level rise, is a barrier to sustainable development and will push many atolls to the brink of habitability in the second half of the 21^st century. It has the potential to affect millions of people around the globe through loss of livelihoods, infrastructure and homes, and through displacement and increased risk of statelessness linked to the theoretical physical disappearance of states. Entire communities on low-lying islands (including Kiribati, Maldives and Tuvalu) have nowhere to retreat within their islands.

At the ICP, Pacific small island developing States (SIDS) raised the importance of preserving maritime claims that have been established under UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in the face of sea-level rise. The loss of maritime entitlements due to sea level rise and coastal erosion was not contemplated when UNCLOS was negotiated, and thus there is a need to address the legal questions that would preserve maritime limits once they have been established. This was one of the priority issues highlighted by Pacific SIDS. More about the ICP is available here. – Marjo Vierros, Coastal Policy and Humanities Research and GOF

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The Ocean Decade Endorsed Actions

The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 (‘The Ocean Decade’) unveiled its first set of officially endorsed Actions. The Actions were subject to a competitive selection process with hundreds of applications, with the endorsement reflecting each Action’s focus on innovation, transdiciplinary approach and inclusivity in accelerating the generation and uptake of ocean knowledge for sustainable development. Covering a broad thematic and geographical reach, the Actions are led by diverse proponents from science, government, civil society, the private sector, philanthropy and international organizations.

A full list of the endorsed Ocean Decade Actions is available on the Ocean Decade website.  For more information: Contact: oceandecade@unesco.org. – Vinicius Lindoso, IOC-UNESCO

Integrated Ocean Carbon Research (IOC-R)

In the context of climate change, it is still unclear to scientists if the ocean will continue to help mitigate the effects of global warming, continuing to act as a major sink for carbon generated by human activities, or if its capacity to absorb carbon from the atmosphere will be altered as a consequence of the numerous human-induced ocean changes. Faced with the urgent need to find answers to this and other crucial scientific questions, five international research programmes on ocean and climate interaction have joined the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO to agree on a roadmap for future research, with the ultimate goal of providing decision-makers with the knowledge needed to implement effective climate change mitigation and adaptation policies in the next ten years.

The IOC Working Group on Integrated Ocean Carbon Research (IOC-R), established in 2018, aims at filling knowledge gaps in relation to ocean carbon by designing and promoting the implementation of the new generation of integrated ocean carbon research, and at informing policymaking on ocean and climate change. The Working Group, coordinated by IOC, fosters active collaboration and synergies amongst IOC, the International Ocean Carbon Coordination Project (IOCCP), the Surface-Ocean Lower Atmosphere Study (SOLAS), the Integrated Marine Biosphere Research (IMBeR), the Global Carbon Project (GCP), the core project on Climate and Ocean Variability, Predictability and Change (CLIVAR) of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), and relevant national efforts on carbon research. IOC-R is open to any other relevant international efforts on ocean carbon research with a demonstrated scientific record. Additional information: Publication; Press release; Contact: Salvatore Arico, Head of Ocean Science Section, IOC-UNESCO (s.arico@unesco.org).

Blue Carbon at UNFCCC SBSTA RD13 (Research Dialogue 13, 1-2 June 2021)

Reporting comprehensive inventories of greenhouse gas sources and sinks is an important step for tracking progress towards the Paris Agreement. In 2013, the IPCC released technical guidance on including wetlands in national greenhouse gas inventories, including blue carbon ecosystems – mangroves, seagrasses and tidal marshes. Yet, given the technical challenges involved, to date only a handful of countries have started this endeavor. The Blue Carbon Initiative and the International Partnership for Blue Carbon provide platforms to benefit from the experience and expertise of the global community, supporting scientists and countries to increase ambition on the inclusion of coastal blue carbon ecosystems in climate policies. The two initiatives contributed to the thirteenth Research Dialogue of the UNFCCC SBSTA with a poster presentation on current work in support of the protection and restoration of coastal blue carbon ecosystems. Contact: Elisabetta Bonotto, Project Coordinator, International Partnership for Blue Carbon, IOC-UNESCO (e.bonotto@unesco.org, cc: ipbc@environment.gov.au)

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News on the Climate Conference (COP26)

• The MP-GCA Co-focal points for Ocean and Coastal Zones convened an online Workshop on building collective key messages for COP26, 28 June 2021. For the meeting report and other information, contact: Loreley Picourt (lpicourt@ocean-climate.org) and Tamara Thomas (tthomas@conservation.org).

• Informal consultations by the COP25 Presidency and the COP26 incoming Presidency: Informal meeting on oceans and climate, 29 June 2021. Contact: Joanna Post (jpost@unfccc.int). See the Because the Ocean report of the meeting here.

• Now open: Application for COP26 side events and exhibits: 29 June- 2 July 5 PM CEST

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Why the Ocean Matters in Climate Negotiations

A new report highlights why the ocean matters in climate negotiations and suggests positive actions nations can take as the countdown to COP26 is underway. Leading UK experts shine a spotlight on the critical role the ocean plays in greatly slowing the rate of climate change but also the subsequent impacts of this and why support from nations for better inclusion of the ocean at the United Nations climate negotiations, such as COP26 in Glasgow this November, is so important. The briefing, led by Plymouth Marine Laboratory, summarizes the latest research and knowledge on the importance of the ocean, as well as offers a range of opportunities to nations in order to ensure that the ocean can be developed sustainably for the benefits it provides to people around the world. Developed by a team of experts from leading UK marine and environmental science universities and centres and published in association with the COP26 Universities Network, the briefing also makes suggestions on how the ocean can be better incorporated in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process. – Carol Turley, Plymouth Marine Laboratory

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News from the Ocean & Climate Platform

Report: Ocean of Solutions to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss

The Ocean of Solutions report to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss aims to share accessible, reliable, scalable and replicable ocean-based solutions to address the climate and biodiversity crises. More than 50 organizations each put forth one of their flagship initiatives to encourage transformative change at all levels. It provides a pivot from ‘problem’ to ‘solution’, responding to policy requests and societal needs. The report showcases concrete solutions for both mitigation and/or adaptation action across four themes: 1) Protecting and restoring coastal and marine ecosystems; 2) Promoting research, developing scientific approaches and innovation; 3) Enhancing the transition towards low-carbon societies, territories and economies; 4) Education, awareness-raising and advocacy. Click here to read the report.

Brief: Coastal and marine ecosystems as Nature-based Solutions in new or updated NDCs

This first revision cycle of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement provides an opportunity for Parties to make greater use of coastal and marine Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in their national strategies and actions. In the run-up to UNFCCC COP26, the Ocean & Climate Platform, together with IUCN, Conservation International, WWF and other key partners, released a Policy Brief, which looks at Parties’ submissions to assess how and to what extent they integrated coastal and marine NbS as part of their climate mitigation and adaptation measures in their new or updated NDCs. Click here for more information.

Policy brief: Swimming the talk: How to strengthen synergies between the Climate and Biodiversity Conventions

Building synergies among the climate and biodiversity regimes will be decisive towards effective and holistic governance. And the ocean has a crucial role to play in this reconciliation. The Ocean & Climate Platform released a Policy Brief exploring options to build synergies between the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) towards a more integrated ocean-climate-biodiversity governance. Diving into these Conventions, this brief identifies four possible entry points across science, policy, action and finance to start swimming the talk and boost cooperation to address the greatest challenges of our time. Click here for more information.

For further information on the three publications, please contact: Loreley Picourt (lpicourt@ocean-climate.org), Secretary General, Ocean & Climate Platform

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Rise Up for the Ocean

As a prescription for ocean health, Rise Up for the Ocean is a growing blue call to action from civil society urging governments and businesses to take the necessary actions to safeguard our ocean. With signatories from NGOs, foundations, Indigenous peoples federations, fisherfolk organizations, sports, media, arts, academia and more, RISE UP is a common ocean agenda setting out what needs to be done in the next 10 years. To join RISE UP, and the network of diverse ocean actors, sign on here. Watch the RISE UP video here. – Samuel Collins, Oceano Azul Foundation

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Save the date: COP26 side event on Climate-related conflict: arts-based mediation and recourse to complaint, 10November 2021 2.30-5pm GMT, Level 3 of the new Learning & Teaching Building, TL328, University of Strathclyde

Organized by the One Ocean Hub, the Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law and Governance, and the Independent Redress Mechanism (IRM) of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), a short animation film titled Indlela yokuphila (“The soul’s journey”) made by artists, traditional healers, marine sociologists, and deep-sea marine ecologists from South Africa will be screened at the event. It will be followed by a discussion of the One Ocean Hub’s findings on how to use art-based mediation in climate-related conflict and the role of small-scale fishers as environmental human rights defenders. The IRM will present different avenues through which the IRM provides recourse to complaints arising from the adverse impacts of GCF projects and programmes. More details of this live/online event will be published on the One Ocean Hub website closer to the date. – Senia Febrica, One Ocean Hub

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Call for Applications

The University of Brest is looking to hire a contractual researcher who will work in the SARGADOM, a collaborative project among the University of Brest, MarViva, the Sargasso Sea Commission, and the French Biodiversity Agency (OFB), which is supported by the Facility for Global Environment (FFEM). The project aims to develop and test methodologies for assessing needs and means for conservation strategies in the high seas with the Thermal Dome (East Central Pacific) and the Sargasso Sea as research fields.

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Timeout for Ocean Photos and Puzzles

• New: Ocean photos from Chile, India, and Portugal
• Ocean and Climate Crossword
• Mystère Octo Puzzle

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Prepared by Miriam Balgos and Alexis Maxwell.

The international ocean community is called upon to act on worsening ocean issues on an urgent basis. Among other pressing matters, we’ve been rushing to address the disastrous race-to-fish phenomenon and now we run with the Race-to-Zero and Race-to-Resilience efforts in the face of climate change. Sometimes, though, there is a need to lighten up to give our tired brains time to rest and recreate. Here are two puzzles to get your mind off threatening events momentarily.

From frothy beaches to snow-capped mountains, Chile’s coastal vistas do not fail to charm. The country’s marine environment and its rich resources are the object of cruise ship farers’ quest for pleasure and of avid conservation enthusiasts’ interventions, among other interests. Dr. Gonzalo Cid, International Activities Coordinator of the National Marine Protected Areas Center and Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, NOAA, shares his beloved Chilean coastline with these snapshots.

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