As we near the SB62 sessions where the Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue is set to take place and the Third United Nations Ocean Conference taking place from June 9-13, the ocean continues to be a vital yet frequently overlooked element in climate negotiations. With increasing recognition of the ocean’s role in climate mitigation, adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development, it is essential to ensure that the Ocean finds a strong footing in global fora. This blog explores key entry points for ocean action focusing on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), Finance, Agriculture, and Gender—each providing an opportunity to integrate ocean-related considerations into climate frameworks and decision-making.
Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) and the Ocean
Background on GGA and Its Evolution
The Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) was established under the Paris Agreement (Article 7) to enhance global adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience, and reduce vulnerability to climate change. Over the years, the work on GGA has progressed through the UAE – Belem work programme, which aims to develop indicators that can track and measure adaptation implementation across various targets.
Where Are We Now?
Currently, discussions are focused on the finalization of a set of global adaptation indicators and a framework to track progress in adaptation. The COP28 decision on GGA (Decision 2/CMA.5), through the explicit mention of marine and coastal ecosystems as part of target 9(d), provides an avenue for the inclusion and mainstreaming of ocean adaptation within these discussions. Given that the ocean regulates climate, supports biodiversity, and provides livelihoods to millions, integrating ocean-specific indicators into the GGA framework is critical.
The ocean plays a central role in climate adaptation, from buffering extreme weather events to sustaining fisheries and coastal livelihoods. Ensuring the inclusion of ocean adaptation indicators would enable tracking of ecosystem resilience, coastal protection measures, and community adaptation initiatives, ensuring that ocean-dependent communities are not left behind in global adaptation efforts.
Finance: Unlocking Funds for Ocean Climate Action
Despite the ocean’s critical role in climate action, financing for ocean-based mitigation and adaptation remains limited. Funding for Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) is generally insufficient. A key challenge is the accessibility of existing climate finance mechanisms for ocean-related projects. The Green Climate Fund (GCF), Adaptation Fund, Global Biodiversity Framework Fund, and other financial instruments must be leveraged to support ocean climate action.
Current Ocean Climate Finance Flows
Global climate finance flows remain largely directed toward terrestrial projects, with SDG 14 (Life Below Water) receiving significantly less funding. This hinders the implementation of effective ocean-based solutions, such as blue carbon projects, coastal resilience initiatives, and sustainable fisheries management. Through the SCACAF initiative, the AGNES is actively supporting African countries in developing bankable proposals to unlock climate finance including for Ocean and blue economy initiatives.
Agriculture: The Role of Blue Foods and Aquatic Systems
Fisheries and aquaculture are critical components of global food systems. Small-scale fisheries, for example, employ over 90% of the world’s fishers and provide a primary source of protein for millions of people. Meanwhile, sustainable aquaculture has the potential to meet growing food demands while reducing pressure on wild fish stocks. However, these systems face significant challenges such as limited research and pressing threats from climate change. Rising ocean temperatures, acidification, and overfishing are disrupting marine ecosystems and threatening the livelihoods of those who depend on them.
To address these challenges, we need to integrate blue foods into climate-resilient food systems. This includes promoting sustainable fishing practices, investing in climate-smart aquaculture, and restoring coastal ecosystems like mangroves, coral reefs and seagrasses, which not only protect shorelines but also provide fish habitats and nurseries. By recognizing the importance of blue foods in agriculture negotiations, we can bridge the gap between ocean health and food security, ensuring that aquatic systems are part of the solution to climate change.
Gender: Recognizing Women and Indigenous Communities as Ocean Stewards
The Role of Women and Local Communities
Women, Children, Youth, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities play a crucial role in ocean stewardship through traditional knowledge, conservation practices, and sustainable resource management. However, their contributions are often overlooked in decision-making processes. Women in coastal communities possess valuable knowledge of marine ecosystems, contributing to sustainable fisheries and conservation efforts. The Indigenous and local knowledge systems can complement scientific research in developing community-led adaptation strategies. Ensuring that gender-responsive approaches are integrated into ocean climate action can enhance inclusivity and effectiveness in marine conservation and adaptation planning.
Call to action: Strengthening the Ocean’s Place in Climate Discussions
The upcoming SB62, including the Ocean Dialogue, presents an opportunity to strengthen the understanding and implementation of action and advance the ocean-climate-biodiversity nexus across different UNFCCC agenda items and negotiation streams.