November 27 2024 I Climate Change
Often described as the “lungs of our planet”, the ocean is the world’s largest carbon sink, pulling in about 25% of the CO2 we emit annually. Without it, it’s likely we’d be facing much worse climate extremes than we are already.
In previous years, marine issues such as using so-called “blue carbon solutions” to combat global warming have largely been ignored.
But over the past few years, ocean-based solutions are beginning to make waves.
Ocean-Based Solutions Policy Discussions
At COP26 in 2021, blue carbon solutions finally started to hit the global agenda in the form of the Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue.
The dialogue aims to get ocean health onto the global climate agenda, focusing on how marine actions can help reduce carbon emissions and enhance resilience against climate impacts. It brings together stakeholders annually, before each COP summit, to explore mitigation strategies like ecosystem restoration and sustainable fisheries, enhancing ocean resilience, and sharing knowledge.
The initiative recognizes the ocean's dual role as both a victim of and a potential solution to climate change, building global cooperation for sustainable policy development.
At the 2024 COP29 summit, a report from the dialogue was presented to delegates on the opening day of the Baku conference, which included the following statement from Niall O’Dea co-facilitator of the dialogue.
“Blue carbon ecosystems, renewable ocean energy and advanced ocean technologies are key to scaling ocean-based solutions, but require sustainable financing and capacity-building support to maximize their potential.”
At COP29, a side event titled “Ocean Pavilion” was also in place to discuss topics including marine carbon dioxide removal, preserving ocean life and biodiversity, and ways to finance ocean solution sustainably.
Many advocates of ocean-based solutions see this as a step in the right direction, but hope for more in years to come.
In this article, we’re going to take an in-depth look at some of the promising ocean-based blue carbon solutions and whether there’s good reason to be excited by them.
The Ocean and Climate Change
The ocean plays a vital role in moderating climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide and heat. For this reason, it can play an important role in tackling climate change and should form a part of international climate action strategies.
A 2023 report from the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy highlighted that ocean-based solutions (or “blue carbon solutions”) could reduce the emissions gap necessary to meet climate goals by 2050 – up to 35% for a 1.5°C pathway and 47% for a 2.0°C pathway.
Offshore wind, tidal energy, and other marine energies will also play a role in reducing carbon emissions. Reducing off-shore oil drilling, developing more advanced shipping efficiencies, and sustainable practices in cruise tourism could also contribute to reduced global emissions.
Marine conservation and restoration are also at the heart of ocean-based strategies, such as restoring mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrasses. Restoring these ecosystems as biodiversity hotspots will add to the carbon sequestration effect – a natural or artificial process where CO2 is removed from the atmosphere and held in solid or liquid form.
Financing the Future of Ocean Solutions
Another 2023 report called for a common method for allocating and monitoring funds for ocean preservation and related climate change actions.
The report highlighted current allocations of funds, which is summarised below.
- The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has a budget of $0.24 billion as of March 2024, with specific ocean-related programs accounting for about $307 million over a four-year period. Additionally, $68 million is allocated for climate change mitigation through nature-based solutions.
- The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has a larger budget of $2.51 billion as of June 2024, with a focus on supporting developing countries in conserving, restoring, or sustainably managing between 120 to 190 million hectares of terrestrial and marine areas.
- The Adaptation Fund (AF), with a budget of $0.49 billion as of June 2024, emphasises co-benefits of adaptation strategies that include ocean and marine ecosystems.
- The Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) has a relatively small budget of $0.01 billion as of August 2024 but has commitments totaling $0.66 billion, indicating plans for future funding.
The report also recognises the need for increased and targeted funding to support ocean-based climate action, especially in developing nations where $56 billion is needed over the next decade for coastal adaptation alone.
The Role of NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions)
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are individual countries' commitments to reducing national emissions and adapting to climate impact under the Paris Agreement.
Many campaigners are calling for more ocean-based action to be included in NDCs, especially for coastal and island nations whose survival and economy are deeply intertwined with the health of marine ecosystems. At the moment, only 14% of NDCs include renewable ocean energy.
Examples of Current NDCs
- Mangrove Restoration: Many coastal nations include mangrove restoration in their NDCs because mangroves are excellent at sequestering carbon, protecting coastlines, and supporting biodiversity. Projects like these contribute to carbon sequestration goals while also maintaining fish stocks and protecting against storm surges.
- Tidal Energy Systems: Tidal energy is a form of hydropower that converts the energy obtained from tides into electricity. Island nations are looking at tidal energy as a sustainable way to reduce their reliance on imported fossil fuels and decrease emissions. Including tidal energy projects in NDCs will help attract international funding and technical support.
- Offshore Wind Expansion: Offshore wind farms are another example of ocean-based actions included in NDCs that help countries cut their greenhouse gas emissions by moving towards renewable energy sources.
2025 is the deadline for updating NDCs, so there is some urgency in making sure that ocean health isn’t just seen as a niche concern, but a fundamental part of tackling climate change. As Karen Sack, President of ORRAA (Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance) puts it, “We don’t really have time to negotiate for the next 10 years.”
Unexplored Deep Ocean Potential The "deep ocean" generally refers to depths below roughly 200 metres (656 feet) extending down to the deepest ocean beds.
The deep ocean holds some of the Earth's greatest mysteries, with more than 80% still unmapped and unexplored. The lack of mapping and data from these depths means we might be missing key insights into how the ocean absorbs carbon dioxide and heat, among other critical environmental processes.
For instance, the deep ocean could harbour ecosystems with unique characteristics that contribute to carbon sequestration. These ecosystems, potentially involving yet unknown marine life forms or unique geological features, could offer new pathways for mitigating climate change effects.
Additionally, the deep ocean's currents and thermal structures play an important role in regulating the global climate, but without detailed data, our models of these processes remain incomplete.
The pressing need to invest in deep-sea research and exploration goes beyond scientific curiosity.
It could lead to new ocean-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation. It might also help us to develop strategies that manage the impact of these changes on biodiversity and coastal communities worldwide.
The case for increased funding and international cooperation in oceanographic research is stronger than ever.