Ocean Stewardship Coalition

 
 

On Sept. 19, 2021, the United Nations Global Compact launched the Ocean Stewardship Coalition to address the twin crises of biodiversity and climate change. This compact focuses on the private sector and how it can play a role in delivering on all 17 Sustainable Development Goals and a net-zero, resilient, and equitable ocean economy. Research suggests that ocean mitigation solutions could reduce the emissions gap by up a fifth on a 1.5° C pathway by 2050.

As a central strategic plan, the Ocean-Climate Nexus blueprint puts forward six key steps to unlock a climate-smart ocean to meet the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C temperature goal. Each step has clearly defined actions for both Parties to the COP and business leaders. Building on the findings of this blueprint, the UN Global Compact is calling for the following key actions ahead of COP 26:

  • Include the ocean-climate nexus in political processes, including through mainstreaming ocean-based mitigation and adaptation measures in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) under the Paris Agreement

  • Use COP 26 to raise political recognition for ocean nature-based solutions - including seaweed and mangroves - which can address the twin crises of biodiversity and climate change

  • Mainstream mitigation and adaptation into marine spatial planning, making optimal use of well-designed Marine Protected Areas

  • Encourage private sector engagement in ocean management, including through implementing restorative and nature inclusive approaches to bridge climate mitigation with biodiversity

  • Ocean-based corporations to take ambitious mitigation action by setting science-based targets (SBTs) aligned with a 1.5° C trajectory across their value chains.

  • Business and policy leaders to adopt a human-centered approach by addressing environmental injustices in climate-smart policies

  • Use blue finance to drive corporate sustainability, develop ocean management plans and strengthen resilient coastal infrastructure, particularly in developing countries

  • Prioritize industry-policy science collaboration on data collection, sharing and management to facilitate risk-assessment and monitor marine ecosystems.

Stefanie Brendl