From 27 June to 1 July, more than 6,000 participants, including 24 Heads of State and Government, and over 2,000 representatives of civil society, met in Lisbon for the United Nations Ocean Conference, co-hosted by the Governments of Portugal and Kenya. If the major role that the ocean plays for biodiversity and human societies is now widely acknowledged, the UN Secretary General opened this conference with a warning message: “Sadly, we have taken the ocean for granted and today we face what I would call an ocean emergency. We must turn the tide.”
While SDG14 is the least funded of all the SDGs, as recalled by Antonio Gutteres, it is nonetheless central to the achievement of all the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Regardless, the ocean is under “multidimensional threats” from combined pressures, including climate change, overfishing, biodiversity loss and pollution resulting from human activities. At the opening of the conference, President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, stressed the need for a “shift in gear from proposals to action” driven by science, technology and innovation. He also highlighted the importance of leaving Lisbon “with a clear understanding of financing options and pathways”. With 700 new commitments registered and the adoption of the Lisbon Declaration – “a suite of science-based and innovative actions” – this summit pursued the objective of scaling up solutions to reverse the decline in ocean health and build the sustainable future we all depend on.
Enhancing the management, protection and restoration of marine ecosystems and biodiversity in territorial and extraterritorial seas
Rapid loss of biodiversity and ecosystems are observed across the world due to the combined effects of climate change and human activities. Indeed, since the 1870s, almost half of global coral reefs have been lost; and nearly 87% of the global wetlands have disappeared over the past 300 years. To address this decline, experts have again pleaded to scale-up action for better managing, protecting and restoring marine and coastal ecosystems, and to protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030. Yet, only 8% of the ocean is under a protection regime as recalled by the last IPCC report on Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerabilities, and 2% under high or full protection. To address this gap, several states have committed to extend Marine Protected Areas’ (MPAs) coverage in their territorial sea. Such is the case of the Netherlands, which has proposed to incorporate the Wadden Sea into a well-connected trans-European network of MPAs. Financial engagements to develop MPAs were also made, notably from MedFund which has committed to allocate EUR 2.7 million by 2025 for the creation and management of 20 MPAs representing 7,000 square kilometers. Meanwhile, the protection of the high seas remains a critical gap to reach the “30×30” target. In this respect, experts, representatives of civil society and governments have called for the rapid adoption of a new legally binding agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine and biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (the so-called BBNJ).
Improving fishing practices and aquatic food production compliance with environmental standards
Fisheries have been a central topic during this week as resources continue to decline globally due to the compound effects of climate change, overfishing and harmful practices as well as marine pollution. Santiago Wills, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Colombia to the World Trade Organisation, recalled that about 50% of global fish stocks are being overexploited. Likewise, the last FAO’s State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022 (SOFIA) released during the conference pointed out a decrease to 64.6% of fishery stocks within biologically sustainable levels in 2019. Meanwhile, aquaculture’s contribution to food provision has reached highest records and is predicted to grow, often at the expense of the environment. Accordingly, representatives and experts called on the development of sustainable fishing practices and aquatic animal production. FAO’s SOFIA report estimated that restoring overfished stocks could considerably increase fisheries production by 16.5 million tonnes. In line with this, the consensus reached last month on banning harmful fisheries subsidies by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the announcement from Canada, the United-States and United-Kingdom to launch an international alliance to drive collective action to eradicate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing are both positive signals towards the achievement of this objective. Strong emphasis has also been put on preserving and restoring small-scale and artisanal fisheries. Notwithstanding, Small-Scale Fishers (SSF) have launched a call for action to secure preferential access and co-management of coastal areas, women’s participation in innovation, protection from competing blue economy sectors, transparency and accountability in fisheries management and further climate change resilience policies.
Towards commitments for the deep sea protection
In response to scientists and ocean advocates raising the alarm about the risks of deep seabed exploitation, political uptake on this issue has been observed at the conference. Several delegations, including Palau, Fiji and Samoa, joined calls for a moratorium on deep seabed mining noting that the risks could outweigh any potential benefits. With no mention of the French EEZ – as raised by several NGOs – President Emmanuel Macron nonetheless encouraged the creation of a “legal framework to stop high seas mining and not to allow new activities that endanger ecosystems” along with additional investments in science. Moreover, parliamentarians for Global Action, represented by MEP Marie Toussaint, also launched a Global Parliamentary Declaration Calling for a Moratorium on Deep Seabed Mining with 102 signatories across 37 countries. Ahead of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) meetings this summer (1-5 August 2022), these different declarations are encouraging signs for deep sea protection.
Accelerating the transition of the blue economy
Delegates calling for the transition towards a sustainable blue economy have promoted a wide-range of solutions to achieve a low-carbon economy including decarbonised shipping and ports and marine renewable energy. The transition of ocean-based economies of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) has been particularly put forth at the conference. Former President of Seychelles, Danny Faure, stressed the extreme importance of ensuring a place for SIDS at the table, calling for urgent safeguarding of the ocean on which their very survival depends for food security, nutrition, employment, trade and recreation.
Regarding the transition of the shipping industry, the United States has been particularly vocal. Jointly with Norway, it has announced a Green Shipping Challenge for the 27th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP 27, 7-18 November 2022). In addition, John Kerry, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, called on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to adopt a revised greenhouse gas strategy that includes the goals of zero emission no later than 2050 with an interim goal by 2030. In the domain of renewable energies, Sweden committed to reach 100% renewable production by 2040, including offshore wind energy, while Palau announced 100% renewable by 2032.
Addressing marine pollution
“Without drastic action, the plastic could outweigh all the fish in the ocean by 2050,” A. Guterres warned. With about 11 million tonnes of plastic dumped every year into the ocean, this major threat to marine ecosystems and humankind calls for a radical paradigm shift. States, including Uruguay, have promoted a transition towards a circular plastic economy; a position echoed by the Pacific Islands Forum and the Alliance of Small Island States which have called for an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution to be implemented by 2024. Several signs pointing toward this direction, including Japan’s commitment to eliminate plastic pollution by 2050 under the Osaka Strategy. Likewise, Kenya has already banned single-used plastics and called on other countries to follow the same path. India also committed to a Coastal Clean Seas Campaign and will work toward a ban on single-used plastics. Yet, additional financial resources are deemed necessary to effectively reduce and eliminate marine pollution. In line with this, the Development Bank of Latin America has announced a voluntary commitment of USD 1.2 billion to support projects to benefit the ocean in the region.
Encouraging and sharing science and innovation
Held under the theme “Scaling up Ocean Action Based on Science and Innovation for the Implementation of Goal 14” – and in the context of the UN Decade of Ocean Sciences – the UN Ocean Conference put science at the center of discussions. The crucial role of ocean sciences in understanding and anticipating changes in the ocean, climate and biodiversity was stressed as a key solution. To improve our understanding of the ocean and its future evolution, several recommendations have been formulated, including thorough ocean mapping, the development of observation networks, further transfer of knowledge, capacities and technologies notably between developed countries, SIDS and Least Developed Countries. Particular attention was given to the integration of local communities and Indegenous people in the production of knowledge. In this dynamic, the Alliance of Small Island Developing States (AOSIS) launched the Declaration for the Enhancement of Marine Scientific Knowledge, Research Capacity and Transfer of Marine Technology to Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Moreover, considering that ocean sciences remain largely under-funded amounting to merely 1.7% of total budgets allocated to research, several engagements have been made accordingly. Sweden has notably announced the provision of USD 400.000 in 2022 to IOC-UNESCO for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development in support of work on SDG 14 target 3.
Engaging finance for ocean sustainability
As hammered by Ambassador Peter Thomson, “this week is all about finance”. A major challenge of the conference was to shift the focus of the blue economy from the global North to the global South. Indeed, lack of finance, capacity-building and technology transfer support remain the main impediments to action. Further support from developed countries for developing countries, especially SIDS and LDCs, as well as engagement from public finance and philanthropists to attract private capital are defined as critical levers to achieve SDG14. In response, many commitments were made across different regions of the globe. In Latin America, the Development Bank of Latin America has announced a voluntary commitment of USD 1.2 billion to support projects in ocean protection. Likewise, the European Investment Bank promised an addition of EUR 150 million across the Caribbean Region as part of the Clean Oceans Initiative. In Europe, Ireland has announced a package of almost EUR 10 million for funding ocean initiatives. Meanwhile, China has pledged to launch 31 marine ecological preservation and restoration projects in the next five years and provide assistance to developing countries, especially SIDS, through the One Belt One Road initiative. In the African continent, Namibia has pledged to allocate USD 5 million annually to conduct research, control, monitoring and surveillance in marine ecosystems.
While 2022 marks the half-time of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specific targets of SDG 14 to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources are far from within reach. Despite the global pandemic postponing this second UN Ocean Conference by a couple of years, none of the targets to be initially evaluated in 2020 were secured and are to be further reviewed at the upcoming High-level Political Forum (5-15 July, New York):
- 14.2 By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans;
- 14.4 By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics;
- 14.5 By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information;
- 14.6 By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation.
The Lisbon Declaration “Our ocean, our future, our responsibility” emphasised that sense of urgency, recalling the need to act fast and across sectors, and highlighting the science-based and innovative areas of action to support the implementation of Goal 14. Despite mixed feelings about the outcomes of the UNOC process, the Lisbon Conference once again placed the ocean at the heart of international spotlight. Mobilisation to raise awareness of the global state of the ocean has increased significantly over the last few years, reaching the highest levels of decision-making. President Macron attended in-person to offer to co-host, jointly with Costa Rica, the next UN Ocean Conference in France in 2025 – as we will celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Paris Agreement.
While the road ahead remains long and hard, UNOC 2022 is yet another important step to anchor the ocean in the global international agenda to safeguard the ocean, scale-up solutions and transition towards blue economies and societies. In the coming months, major international meetings will be held and define the future of our blue planet. From the long-awaited finalisation of an ambitious High Seas Treaty (15-26 August, New York), to the “Implementation” COP27 of the Climate Convention (7-18 November, Sharm el Sheik) and the COP15 of the Biodiversity Convention where the Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework is to be adopted (5-17 December, Montreal). A series of crucial meetings that will challenge Parties and non-state actors to truly walk the talk and move beyond commitments towards concrete action.
The Ocean & Climate Platform, together with its 100 members, will remain strongly mobilised to connect the dots from one rendez-vous to the next, to break down the silos thus ensuring a more integrated governance of the ocean, climate and biodiversity. Despite the many pressures it suffers, a protected and resilient ocean remains our best ally – and a source of solution to face the major challenges of our time.
Authors : Sarah Palazot, Anaïs Deprez, Loreley Picourt, Marine Lecerf, Simon Chevrot, Eva Matescot