December 18, 2024
The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, was a landmark moment for global climate policy, uniting nations to limit global warming to well below 2°C, with an aspirational target of 1.5°C. However, one critical aspect has often been overlooked: the ocean.
Despite covering over 70% of the planet and playing a vital role in regulating Earth’s climate, the sea has remained largely absent from formal climate negotiations. This oversight poses significant risks, as the health of the ocean is inextricably linked to the health of the climate.
The Role of Oceans in Climate Regulation
The ocean is a climate powerhouse:
- It absorbs approximately 25% of CO₂ emissions annually, acting as a natural carbon sink.
- It captures 90% of excess heat generated by greenhouse gas emissions, buffering the planet from more extreme temperature increases.
- Coastal and marine ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes store substantial amounts of “blue carbon” and are able to provide protection against storm surges and erosion keeping coastal environments safe.
Without the inclusion of ocean health in climate strategies, these natural benefits are at risk of degradation, which could severely accelerate climate impacts.
Why the Paris Agreement Fell Short on Oceans
The Paris Agreement was designed as a flexible framework, allowing countries to define their commitments through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). While this flexibility encouraged participation, it also resulted in a lack of standardized requirements for addressing specific areas like ocean health.
Key gaps include:
- Minimal Blue Carbon Inclusion: Few countries incorporated coastal and marine ecosystems into their NDCs.
- Absence of Marine Conservation Metrics: The agreement lacks mechanisms to measure the success of marine protection efforts.
- Limited Focus on Ocean Acidification: Rising CO₂ levels are altering ocean chemistry, threatening biodiversity and fisheries, yet this issue is largely unaddressed.
Steps to Incorporate Ocean Health into Global Climate Policy
To address these gaps, future climate negotiations need to prioritize ocean health:
1. Integrate Blue Carbon Ecosystems into NDCs
Countries should explicitly include protecting and restoring mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes in their climate commitments. These ecosystems are highly effective carbon sinks and provide co-benefits like biodiversity conservation and coastal protection.
Example: Indonesia has pledged to restore 600,000 hectares of mangroves by 2030, showcasing how blue carbon can be integrated into national strategies.
2. Develop Ocean-Specific Climate Metrics
Standardized metrics are essential for tracking progress. Metrics could include:
- Percentage of marine protected areas (MPAs) established.
- Carbon sequestration rates of blue carbon projects.
- Reductions in ocean acidification levels.
3. Expand Global Ocean Funding
Financing mechanisms like the Green Climate Fund should allocate dedicated resources for ocean-based solutions. Additionally, public-private partnerships can play a role in funding large-scale marine restoration projects.
Case Study: The Seychelles Blue Bond initiative raised $15 million to finance marine conservation and sustainable fisheries, demonstrating how innovative financing can support ocean health.
4. Address Ocean Acidification in Climate Goals
Ocean acidification—a direct result of CO₂ absorption—needs to be explicitly addressed in global climate frameworks. This could involve commitments to reduce emissions from heavy polluters and funding research into mitigation strategies.
The Co-Benefits of Ocean Inclusion in Climate Policy
Incorporating ocean health into climate policy offers numerous advantages:
- Enhanced Climate Resilience: Healthy oceans and coastal ecosystems provide natural buffers against storms, sea-level rise, and erosion.
- Economic Benefits: Sustainable fisheries, marine tourism, and blue carbon markets can drive economic growth.
- Biodiversity Conservation: Protecting marine habitats supports global biodiversity and strengthens ecosystem services.
The Path Forward
The next round of climate negotiations, including updates to NDCs and international agreements, provides an opportunity to rectify the oversight of ocean health. Policymakers must:
- Advocate for a dedicated “ocean chapter” in climate frameworks.
- Support global initiatives like the High Seas Treaty to protect international waters.
- Foster collaboration between nations, scientists, and industries to scale ocean-based solutions.
As renowned oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle reminds us: “The ocean drives climate and weather, stabilizes temperature, and ultimately makes life on Earth possible.”
It is time to give the ocean its rightful place in the fight against climate change.