The Ocean & Climate Platform and Ocean Conservancy, in partnership with Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), Rare, and WWF, unveil the synthesis report of the 2024 Ocean & Climate Change Dialogue held on 11-12 June 2024 in Bonn, Germany.
This year’s meeting focused on (1) Marine biodiversity conservation and coastal resilience, and (2) Technology needs for ocean-climate action, including finance links. Co-facilitators Julio Cordano (Chile) and Niall O’Dea (Canada) shared an information note to offer valuable context for the Dialogue, and will prepare an informal summary report of the discussions to be presented at COP29 in Baku.
- On topic 1, the effective management, conservation and restoration of marine biodiversity was recognised as a multi-purpose solution that can contribute to mitigation and adaptation. Participants stressed the critical need to further mobilise resources, build capacity and enhance partnerships – involving a wide-range of stakeholders. There was a clear call to consider immediate exposure to the coastal impacts of climate change when allocating financial resources i.e. to incorporate a risk-based approach to financial support allocation.
- On topic 2, the discussion focused on five areas of technology, namely ocean renewable energy, decarbonised shipping, marine carbon dioxide removal, artificial intelligence and satellite-based technologies. Participants noted the importance of enhancing scientific research, engaging with local actors and improving access to funding. They also raised the importance of national policy frameworks, including tools such as marine spatial planning, to prevent adverse impacts of these new technologies on marine and coastal biodiversity.
Key-messages of this year’s Dialogue include:
- The next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), due in February 2025, provides a great opportunity for Parties to enhance their ocean-based mitigation and adaptation efforts – noting that nature-based solutions should not be a substitute for drastic emissions reductions.
- Parties are in need of additional guidance on how to fully leverage ocean-based measures in their national strategies, and highlighted the role of the Dialogue in carrying forward the conclusions of the Global Stocktake and guiding the revision of their NDCs.
- The Dialogue should be following a clear roadmap to be defined for the years ahead in order to progressively address a variety of solutions and continuously take stock of progress made and remaining gaps to fill. It should also consider more focused topics to facilitate concrete action.
- There is a clear need for increased cooperation and synergies within the UNFCCC and across frameworks, especially the Convention on Biological Diversity, the High Seas Treaty, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In this context, the next UN Ocean Conference can act as a lever to accelerate ongoing processes.
To dive into the details of the Dialogue, read the report by clicking on the picture.
