The UNFCC has reiterated the growing importance of the ocean in addressing climate change ahead of COP29, following the publication of an informal summary report from the 2024 Ocean Dialogue.
The annual Ocean Dialogue, mandated by COP27, took place in June during the UN Climate Meetings in Bonn, Germany.
The summary report emphasises a critical need for ocean-based actions to be integrated into national climate plans and targets, with particular focus on marine biodiversity conservation, coastal resilience, and integrating technology into ocean-based climate action.
The Dialogue also stressed the transformative potential of conserving, protecting, and restoring ecosystems related to the ocean, such as mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes.
These habitats play a dual role by capturing and storing carbon while safeguarding coastal communities from rising sea levels and extreme weather events.
‘Nature-based solutions’
“The ocean offers us one of the most integrated, nature-based solutions to fight climate change,” commented Ocean Dialogue co-facilitator Julio Cordano, from Chile.
“To unlock its full potential, we need to enhance climate action. Parties’ national climate goals and plans can vastly benefit by including ocean-based measures. Improved availability of and access to financing for blue carbon ecosystems, including through the implementation of nature-based solutions and/or marine protected areas, are critical to accelerate climate action in the ocean.”
Elsewhere, the report highlights the potential of renewable ocean energy sources such as offshore wind, wave, and tidal technologies to reduce carbon emissions. It underscores the importance of satellite-based remote sensing technologies and automated ocean-based technologies like artificial intelligence to enhance real-time data collection and adaptation efforts.
Parties are encouraged to utilise technology needs assessments to inform their national climate plans, also known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs).
‘Critical enablers’
“Technology and capacity are critical enablers for ocean climate action, but without innovative finance, such as blue bonds and blended finance, ocean-based solutions may remain untapped,” added Niall O’Dea, co-facilitator.
“Developing countries face barriers to accessing funds and capacity-building, making collaboration between governments, private investors, and international financial institutions and climate funds essential to drive large-scale ocean conservation.”
As COP29 nears, the good practices and science-based solutions discussed during the 2023 and 2024 Ocean Dialogues will aid parties in incorporating ocean and marine components into their forthcoming NDCs, due in 2025, UNFCCC added. Read more here.
