After many years of hard work and negotiations, the climate agreement approved in Paris on Saturday December 12 is a historical moment for the planet: it lays the basis of a gradual transition toward a green and non-carbonated economy.
The deal has definitely changed for the Ocean. This mention appeared in the preamble of the final text “Noting the importance of ensuring the integrity of all ecosystems, including oceans…” it is a sign of a worldwide understanding regarding the importance of the links between ocean and climate. The integration of the ocean in the Paris Agreement proves the acknowledgment of its integrity as a stakeholder in the climate equilibrium.
This is a symbolic victory for all members of the Ocean and Climate Platform who have worked very hard over the last two years with the support of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission to give voice to oceans beyond the Ocean community: it is the first stone of a collective and international operation to make the ocean a key element in the next climate conferences.
This mobilization led by the Ocean and Climate Platform with the support of UNESCO-COI and Global Ocean Forum was successful because it is particularly audible to other communities. While 30 000 citizens signed the Ocean’s Call for Climate, countries including Monaco and France paid particular attention to ocean issues mentioned by the Platform, before and during COP21.
This awareness resulted in the signature of the declaration Because the Ocean at a Heads of State and National Delegations level: 22 countries committed to preparing in 2016 a plan of action dedicated to the ocean as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Another important step forward: the limitation of global warming below 2°C goal with a reference at 1.5°C, as well as an adaptation measure which satisfied the SIDS and the most vulnerable states.
That said, there is still much to do to complete the 9 statements of The Ocean and Climate Platform. For instance, transport was removed from the final text, while the first drafts of the Agreement mentioned it. This is a major disappointment for French and European ship-owner and environmental NGOs, who had collectively expressed their wish for that inclusion.
A next important step before COP22 will be the decision making by IPCC, in April 2016 regarding the drafting of a Special Report on the Ocean during the drafting period of the Evaluation Report on Climate Change AR6.