Ocean dialogue calls on Parties to strengthen ocean-based action in national climate goals, plans
Ahead of COP29, the recently released informal summary report of the 2024 Ocean dialogue highlights the growing recognition of the ocean’s essential role in both mitigating climate change and helping communities adapt to its impacts, and the need for ocean-based action to be integrated into countries’ next round of climate plans and targets.
The annual Ocean dialogue, which was mandated by COP27, was held on 11-12 June 2024 as part of the June UN Climate Meetings in Bonn, Germany, with a focus on marine biodiversity conservation and coastal resilience, and technology needs for ocean climate action, including finance links. These topics were selected by the co-facilitators Julio Cordano (Chile) and Niall O’Dea (Canada) in consultation with Parties and observers.
The dialogue’s findings emphasize that the conservation, protection and restoration of blue carbon ecosystems can play a transformative role in addressing both the causes and consequences of climate change. Blue carbon habitats—such as mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes—capture and store carbon while also protecting coastal communities from rising seas and extreme weather events.
“The ocean offers us one of the most integrated, nature-based solutions to fight climate change,” said Cordano. “But to unlock its full potential, we need to enhance climate action. Parties’ national climate goals and plans can vastly benefit by including ocean-based measures. Improved availability of and access to financing for blue carbon ecosystems, including through the implementation of nature-based solutions and/or marine protected areas, are critical to accelerate climate action in the ocean.”
The report also highlights the potential of renewable ocean energy sources such as offshore wind, wave, and tidal technologies to reduce carbon emissions. It underscores the importance of satellite-based remote sensing technologies and automated ocean-based technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance real-time data collection and adaptation efforts.
Parties are encouraged to use technology needs assessments to inform the development and implementation of their national climate plans, also known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs).
“Technology and capacity are critical enablers for ocean climate action, but without innovative finance, such as blue bonds and blended finance, ocean-based solutions may remain untapped. Developing countries face barriers to accessing funds and capacity-building, making collaboration between governments, private investors, and international financial institutions and climate funds essential to drive large-scale ocean conservation,” said O’Dea.
The report calls for greater alignment between NDCs, National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) to better reflect the climate-ocean-biodiversity nexus. It also encourages Parties to streamline their reporting obligations across international agreements, including the 2030 Agenda, the BBNJ Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The report also calls on the constituted bodies to continue mainstreaming the ocean in their work, in accordance with the Glasgow Climate Pact.
As the momentum builds toward COP29, good practices and science-based solutions gathered from the 2023 and 2024 ocean dialogues can help Parties incorporate ocean components into their next round of NDCs, due in 2025.
