Why COP26 Should Focus on the Ocean as the Solution to Climate Change
Why the Ocean is a fundamental key to saving our planet and addressing Climate Change.
Our Ocean provides half the oxygen we breathe and absorbs 93% of the heat trapped by rising CO2 we produce to reduce global warming — it supports all life on Earth. And yet, only one tenth of 1% of global GDP is invested in nature-based solutions to climate change, and even less so have an Ocean focus.[1]
We need more of a commitment and a plan set out by nations globally to protect our Ocean and invest in it as primary solution to the climate crisis. COP26 is the opportunity for Governments to make ambitious commitments around climate change, including the support and financing of nature-based solutions. And yet the Ocean does not seem to feature high on the COP26 main agenda.
As Jane Lubchenco, of Oregon State University said, “For far too long, the ocean has been mostly absent from serious policy discussions about reducing carbon emissions.”
Why are Governments not giving the Ocean the Attention it deserves?
The landmark COP26 summit on 31Oct -12 November will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Many consider it to be the last chance for world leaders to come together and bring about the radical, lasting change needed to effectively overcome the climate crisis.
According to COP26 leaders, the 4 things that need to be focused on to half emissions are: coal, cars, cash and trees.
However, the Ocean is overlooked as one of the most powerful, nature-based solutions to keeping our Climate at the 1.5 degree target we so clearly need to maintain. According to the IPCC report, if we want to stay at 1.5C, carbon emissions must decline well before 2030. And Ocean-based solutions have huge potential to eliminate a fifth of the carbon we need to tackle to keep global warming to an average of 1.5 degrees centigrade by 2050.[2]
However, the roles our Ocean plays in mitigating the climate crisis is under threat as we saw in the IPCC report. When the Ocean does so much for us, why is it not higher up in the agenda for COP26?
Though the Ocean does not feature in COP26 headline events, we’ve done the research to dig out the Top 10 Ocean-related events at COP26. This is your access card to the most interesting Ocean-related events you need to listen in to.
OG’s outline of the outcomes of COP26 that would make it successful:
As COP26 kicks off, we have set our own objectives, and focus on key outcomes of what success discussions at COP26 would look like with an Ocean focus.
1. A focus on the Ocean as a solution to the Climate Crisis
There needs to be a shift in the narrative. The Ocean is commonly being portrayed as a victim of the climate crisis, but it should be seen as a solution. We need global cooperation in order to figure out the ways of enhancing the Ocean’s capacity to act as a sink for carbon dioxide emissions.
2. Banning or reducing Bottom Trawling
Bottom trawling is a widespread practice where heavy nets are dragged along the seabed.
The carbon is then released from the seabed sediment into the water, and can increase Ocean acidification, as well as adversely affecting productivity and biodiversity. Marine sediments are the largest pool of carbon storage in the world.
“A recent scientific paper in ICES Journal of Marine Science said that the carbon emissions from bottom trawling are equivalent to 2% of global emissions, contribution similar to the annual emissions of the global aviation industry.”[3]
3. Concrete steps towards achieving the UN’s 30 x 30 target and agreement towards delivering Marine Protected Areas
The 30x30 campaign aims to protect 30% of our Ocean by 2030. Currently only 2.7% of the world’s Ocean is fully or highly protected.[4] Setting out steps towards achieving this, will result in multiple benefits such as: healthier ecosystems, climate change mitigation, reduced risk from extreme weather, and a boost in economy.
4. An action plan to invest in blue carbon
There needs to be a protection of the blue carbon stored in coastal and marine ecosystems.
These ecosystems sequester and store more carbon per unit area than terrestrial forests, like the Amazon rainforest, and are now (just about) being recognised for their role in mitigating climate change. But more needs to be done.
The first things they looked at were mangroves — which are essentially coastal forests, only they are estimated to soak up twice as much carbon every year as a tropical rainforest. Mangroves are being lost globally at a rate of two percent a year, especially in southeast Asia, but they can be regenerated or replanted.
At Ocean Generation, we are giving everyone the ability to contribute directly to the Ocean Solutions through our Mangrove Mandate campaign.
5. Bringing all voices into the conversation
Targets at COP26 must ensure the transformation of societies and economies in a way that leaves no one behind. Therefore, it is so important that there is space given at COP26 for all voices to be heard.
We’re optimistic that the talks will act as a genuine catalyst for accelerating climate action across many sectors. Collaboration and partnerships are key to making change happen and are central themes of what will make a successful COP26. We actually see COP26 as an important step in a long journey, not a destination in its own right.
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[1] “Investing Less than 1% of World GDP into Nature-Based Solutions Can Tackle Climate Change and Biodiversity Crisis”, World Economic Forum, 27 May 2021
[2] “Blue Carbon: There is so much still to learn”, Blue Marine Foundation, Charles Clover, 5 October 2021
[3] “Shifting baselines of cetacean conservation in Europe”, Giovanni Bearzi & Randall Reeves, ICES Journal of Marine Science, 7 Oct 2021
[4] “Protecting the global ocean for biodiversity, food and climate change” Nature, Vol 592, 15 April 2021
