The Ocean Decade at COP26 - of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
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The Ocean
Decade
at COP26
of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change
The United Nations
Decade of Ocean Science
for Sustainable Development United Nations Decade
2021-2030 of Ocean Science 1
for Sustainable Development
The Ocean-Climate Nexus
A healthy, resilient ocean holds extraordinary potential to conditions including ocean acidification, warming temperatures
address climate change and improve overall human health and declining sea ice require ongoing and enhanced ecological
and well-being. However, the state of the ocean is declining as monitoring. Socio-economic considerations will need to be
a result of human activity through greenhouse gas emissions expanded in the use of blue carbon assets to combat climate
and other anthropogenic stressors. Recent reports from the change. The deep sea is still largely unexplored, and the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) document ecosystem services it can provide are not yet fully realized. The
the impacts of ocean acidification, deoxygenation, marine ability of the ocean and its ecosystems to store carbon and
heat waves, ocean heat content, ice sheet and glacier mass contribute to mitigation efforts requires further research and the
lost driving rapid increases to sea level rise, changes in ocean development of innovative solutions. Enhanced and coordinated
currents, and the decline of Arctic sea ice. Multiple stressors global ocean observations are essential in improving the
on marine ecosystems are leading to detrimental impacts on accuracy of climate models, weather forecasts and early warning
important fisheries, habitats and aquaculture that will have systems and to better understand ocean acidification conditions.
destabilising effects aquaculture and throughout the marine food Continued efforts to build resilient ecosystems are necessary
web. As a result, global food security, the economy, and valuable for providing stable food sources for the planet and promoting a
ecosystem services are at risk. Hundreds of millions of people strong blue economy. Additional knowledge, including indigenous
are living in locations particularly vulnerable to climate change and local knowledge, is needed to deliver equitable and just
today, including low-lying coastal zones, small island developing adaptation strategies for coastal communities facing threats
states (SIDS) or in the Arctic. The ocean cannot be overlooked in from sea level rise and intensifying storms.
our efforts to tackle climate change. Actions that will enhance
The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable
our knowledge, technology, coordination and capabilities within
Development which commenced on 1 January 2021 aims to
this ocean-climate nexus are critical.
meet these critical knowledge gaps by providing a framework
While the science has been rapidly advancing on these topics to convene diverse actors around the world to co-design and
in recent years, there are still important knowedge gaps that co-deliver solutions-oriented research that will represent “the
are hampering the development of viable climate mitigation science we need for the ocean we want” under rapidly changing
and adaptation solutions with the ocean playing a central role. climatic conditions.
For example, biological responses to changing environmental
OCEAN-CLIMATE NEXUS
Knowledge Gaps
OCEAN MULTIPLE DEEP COASTAL NATURE-BASED
OBSERVATIONS STRESSORS OCEAN RESILIENCE SOLUTIONS
There is insufficient The cumulative More than 80% of the Nearly 1 billion Coastal habitats
baseline data impacts of ocean ocean floor is people live in low sequester 2-4x more
provided by warming, unexplored. lying coastal zones carbon per area than
observations that are deoxygenation and Biodiversity of the vulnerable to climate terrestrial forests, yet
fundamental in the ocean acidification deep sea is largely change. coastal wetlands have
sustainable on marine species unknown. These gaps reduced by over 50%
management of the are still largely limit adequate stock There is an urgent since the Industrial
ocean. unknown. assessments and need to develop Revolution.
ability to monitor equitable,
Global ocean This knowledge is biological response to co-designed and More research is
observations are key to critical for ocean disturbances, including solutions-based required to protect and
improve accuracy of health, ecosystem climate change. adaptation restore these valuable
climate projections, functioning and strategies to build blue carbon
weather forecasts, commercially Processes in the deep resilient ecosystems
early warning systems, important species. ocean are also critical communities.
ocean acidification and drivers of ocean
deoxygenation circulation and climate,
monitoring, and requiring sustained
biological responses. observations.
2
The Role of the Ocean Decade at COP26
What is the Ocean Decade? The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO
(IOC-UNESCO) has been mandated to coordinate implementation
On 5 December 2017, the United Nations (UN) declared that a of the Ocean Decade. The Ocean Decade will provide the data,
Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (‘Ocean knowledge and capacity to address science and knowledge
Decade’) would be held from 2021 to 2030. The Ocean Decade gaps needed to make informed policy decisions. The United
provides a common framework to ensure that ocean science can Nations (UN) General Assembly clearly recognizes the societal
underpin the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development benefits of a healthy ocean and the need to work across UN
Goals (SDGs) and complementary global and regional policy entities to achieve this goal. Working in coordination with the UN
frameworks including the United Nations Framework Convention Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Ocean
on Climate Change. The Ocean Decade provides a ‘once-in- Decade will contribute to addressing these societal challenges
a-lifetime’ opportunity to create a new foundation across the for example by providing the sound science needed to reflect
science-policy interface to strengthen the management of the ocean considerations in Nationally Determined Contributions
ocean and coasts for the benefit of humanity and to mitigate the (NDCs) of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. In the
impacts of climate change. The Ocean Decade Implementation Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue1, the UNFCCC reaffirmed
Plan outlines ten Decade Challenges, representing the most that science must be strengthened and central to this process.
immediate and pressing needs of the Decade, which will guide The complementary structure of the Ocean Decade Action
stakeholders as they come together to co-design and co-deliver a Framework to the goals of COP26 will allow for meaningful
wide range of Decade Actions that will be implemented the ocean- contributions in achieving successful outcomes.
climate nexus is embodied in Challenge No. 5 and is reflected in a
number of the other Challenges over the next ten years.
THE OCEAN DECADE ACTION FRAMEWORK
‘THE SCIENCE WE NEED’
UN Decade of Ocean
Science for Sustainable
Development
DECADE OUTCOMES
DECADE DECADE ‘THE OCEAN WE WANT’
OBJECTIVES CHALLENGES
Understand and beat A clean
marine pollution ocean
Protect and restore
ecosystems and A healthy
1 2 3 biodiversity and resilient
‘THE OCEAN ocean
WE HAVE’ Identify
Generate
Sustainably feed the
global population
required Increase
knowledge comprehensive the use of Develop a sustainable and A productive
for knowledge and ocean equitable ocean economy ocean
sustainable understanding knowledge Unlock ocean-based
development of the ocean
solutions to climate
change A predicted
ocean
Increase community
resilience to ocean
hazards A safe
DECADE ACTIONS Expand the global ocean
observing system
ocean
• Programmes
• Projects Create a digital
representation of the An accessible
• Activities ocean ocean
• Contributions
Skills, knowledge and
technology for all An inspiring
and engaging
Change humanity’s ocean
relationship with the
ocean
Source: from the IOC-UNESCO Decade Action Plan, 2020.
3
1 https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/SBSTA_Ocean_Dialogue_SummaryReport.pdf
© Lorenzo Mittiga / Ocean Image Bank (Volunteers working in the mangroves, Lac Bay, Bonaire).
The Ocean Decade Action Framework: be powerful tools to combat climate change. However, these are
Achieving the goals of COP26 processes that carry substantial ecological risks that must be
well studied and executed in a manner that maintains a balanced
ecosystem without causing further harm.
MITIGATION I Unlocking the potential of the ocean
to limit warming to 1.5 degrees
The presence of the Ocean Decade at COP26 aims to encourage
Assessments indicate that the NDCs announced in Paris in
countries to include ocean-based solutions in their national climate
2015 would result in warming well above 3 degrees by 2100
action strategies and NDCs. Currently, 25 countries have established
compared to pre-industrial levels. It is evident that limiting National Decade Committees. These Committees will hold a wealth of
warming to even 2 degrees poses serious challenges to the knowledge that can be used to identify critical knowledge gaps in the
health and sustainability of the ocean. At COP26, it is anticipated development of NDCs.
that countries will make commitments to keep warming to
1.5 degrees by 2050 but there is consensus that even more
needs to be done. Cutting emissions alone towards achieving ADAPTATION I Coastal resilience and adaptation to
net zero is part of, but certainly not the entire, solution. The protect communities and natural habitats
Ocean Decade complements the efforts of UNFCCC by filling the
knowledge gaps required to meet the ambitious goals set forth The Ocean Decade will provide new knowledge and tools for
in the Paris Agreement. With the ocean as an integral part of the nature-based solutions to increase climate resilience and
climate system, the Ocean Decade will coordinate and sustain increase the adaptive capacity of hundreds of millions of the
ocean observations, advance new technologies, improve ocean- most vulnerable people. There is vast potential in blue carbon
climate literacy, and mobilise resources to bring about innovative assets, including marine protected areas and coastal habitats,
solutions to achieve a sustainable ocean by 2030 and to mitigate that can be incorporated into national climate action plans.
the most severe impacts of climate change with potential actions These natural habitats not only sequester carbon, but also
that can limit warming to 1.5 degrees. offer other valuable ecosystem services that include shoreline
protection from storms and erosion, enhancing biodiversity, and
One of the 10 Ocean Decade Challenges, Challenge No. 5 is further support the blue economy through commercial fishing,
to unlock ocean-based solutions to climate change. There tourism, renewable energy and aquaculture industries.
are numerous emerging services that the ocean can provide.
The Ocean Decade will support programmes that lead to the Improved observations of our ocean are critical to accurate and
development and application of renewable energy technologies, timely predictions that can be used for early warning services.
actions to maintain and strengthen ocean carbon uptake and low- These life-saving services are essential to building resilient
emission ocean-based transport and food production that could coastal communities facing the threats of climate change. Ocean
reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to the reduction Decade Challenge No. 6 highlights the need to enhance multi-
of emissions, technologies will be needed to remove greenhouse hazard early warning services for all geophysical, ecological,
gases from the atmosphere. Marine ecosystems such as seagrass biological, weather-, climate- and anthropogenic-related ocean
meadows, kelp forests and mangroves, in addition to the deep and coastal hazards, and mainstream community preparedness
ocean, naturally store carbon and would benefit from protection, and resilience. With rising temperatures around the globe, the
restoration, and enhancement. There are other ocean-based frequency of climate-related hazards is anticipated to increase.
greenhouse gas removal methods (e.g., ocean fertilisation and Such ocean-climate hazards include harmful algal blooms
4
enhanced ocean alkalinity) that require further research but may resulting in toxic fish/shellfish, increased tropical cyclone
intensity and occurrence of extratropical cyclones, and coastal
© Martin Colognoli / Ocean Image Bank (Fisherman prepare traditional nets, Indonesia).
flooding tied to sea level rise and storm surges. Sustained ocean mechanism for the Ocean Decade, announcing opportunities for
observations are critical to these efforts that require reliable, funding and partnerships, workshops and trainings, meetings,
long-term funding sources and global coordination. conferences, and input on calls for future Decade Actions.
The Forum will also support Communities of Practice, where
FINANCE I Mobilising resources to support partners can optimise communication, collaboration and
the Ocean Decade synergies across various themes and geographies.
To stimulate the ambitious global ocean science agenda of the Climate change touches on many aspects of the physical
Ocean Decade, the Ocean Decade Alliance has been established world and our everyday lives. Addressing these complex issues
to leverage and multiply financial and in-kind resource requires a transdisciplinary approach across the physical,
commitments to support Decade Actions. The Ocean Decade natural and social sciences. Tackling climate change through
Alliance is a network of eminent partners of the Ocean Decade the sustainable use of the ocean requires a revolution in how
that are leading by example to catalyse support for the Ocean the science is produced, used and disseminated. Within the
Decade through targeted resource mobilisation, networking, context of the Ocean Decade Action Framework, efforts to better
and influence. Exciting new partnerships have already been understand the role of the ocean in adapting to and mitigating
established in the first year of the Ocean Decade. As part of the climate change will be incorporated throughout all of the Decade
second Call for Decade Actions No. 02/2021, the AXA Research Challenges and supporting actions. Examples include actions
Fund (https://www.axa-research.org) will be awarding 1M€ for that will enhance ocean-climate literacy, identifying sources of
projects led by early career researchers that address coastal pollution that inhibit ocean processes that naturally mitigate
resilience and adaptation to climate change. Additionally, the climate change, and restoring coastal and marine ecosystems to
MeerWissen (https://meerwissen.org/3rd-call-for-proposals) be resilient in the face of climate change. Breaking the silos of
Initiative for African-German marine partnerships, an in-kind knowledge generation will ensure that the solutions are inclusive
contribution from the German government, will be funding and result in the benefit of society as a whole.
collaborative projects that support nature-based solutions in Transformative ocean science means implementing
Africa. purposeful and solutions-based approaches. Co-designing
this transformative science also requires working with all
COLLABORATION I Inclusive, transdisciplinary, and concerned stakeholders throughout the entire process, from
transformative ocean-based climate solutions conceptualisation to the application of data in user-friendly
formats. The Ocean Decade is committed to the engagement
The approach to tackling climate change must be holistic
of SIDS, least developing countries (LDCs), and landlocked
and inclusive. The Ocean Decade is designed to facilitate
developing countries (LLDCs). Stakeholders of Decade Actions
global communication and mutual learning across research
will support capacity building initiatives that provide SIDS, LDCs
and stakeholder communities. It works to meet the needs of
and LLDCs with the resources required to lead and participate
scientists, policy and decision-makers, industry, civil society
in the Ocean Decade. This includes inter alia, increasing access
and the wider public. With the recent launch of the Global
of data, information, capacity and technology transfer. There
Stakeholder Forum (forum.oceandecade.org), partners and
will also be an elevation of, and respect for, the inclusion of
interested parties involved in Decade Actions from around the
indigenous and local knowledge systems. A holistic and inclusive
world will be able to engage and catalyse virtual and in-person
approach will build trust, improve responsiveness to the science,
collaborations surrounding common interests. The Global 5
and enhance ocean-climate literacy.
Stakeholder Forum will serve as the primary engagement© Richard Barnden / Ocean Image Bank (Jellyfish, blackwater).
What is already happening
during the Ocean Decade?
Endorsed Decade Actions adaptation tools to coastal communities, regional collaboration, capacity building,
Addressing the Ocean-Climate and improving ocean-based human health co-design and joint implementation
by working with GEOS’ vast network of of ocean acidification observation and
Nexus partners. https://oceanvisions.org/work/ research, and communication and
The first Call for Decade Actions geos/ delivery of the outputs to policy makers
No. 01/2020 of the Ocean Decade resulted and communities. http://goa-on.org/oars/
in the endorsement of an impressive Blue Climate Initiative - Solutions for overview.php
number and diversity of programmes and People, Ocean, Planet
projects, as well as financial and in-kind The Blue Climate Initiative (BCI) brings Global Ocean Oxygen Decade (GOOD)
contributions from around the world. together scientists, communities, Climate change is one of the main causes
Currently, 31 programmes, 84 projects engineers, entrepreneurs, investors, of oxygen loss in the ocean. GOOD is
and 10 Decade Actions from UN entities global leaders and influencers harnessing committed to raising global awareness
have been officially endorsed as part of the innovation and traditional knowledge to about ocean deoxygenation, providing
Ocean Decade. Communities of Practice reimagine, catalyse, and scale ocean- knowledge for action and developing
have been established to allow different related strategies to combat climate mitigation and adaptation strategies and
partners working on similar themes change while protecting our ocean. BCI solutions through local, regional, and
associated with the Decade Challenges or unlocks breakthrough solutions to urgent global efforts, including transdisciplinary
geographies to coordinate and collaborate global challenges including improved research, innovative outreach, and ocean
in order to achieve the “ocean we want”. human health, sustainable food supplies, education and literacy. https://en.unesco.
Highlighted below are a few examples renewable energy, flourishing biodiversity, org/go2ne and https://www.ocean-oxygen.
of endorsed Decade programmes and stewardship of the ocean’s resources, and org/
contributions with a focus on the ocean- vibrant ocean economies. https://www.
climate nexus: blueclimateinitiative.org/ Sustainably managing the
deep ocean for climate
Network programmes that Monitoring ocean stressors solutions
have set ambitious goals to related to climate change
mobilise resources, develop Deep Ocean Observing Strategy (DOOS)
new technologies, and tackle Ocean Acidification Research for The deep ocean is the final frontier in
Sustainability (OARS) ocean observing, holding the potential
climate change: The ocean absorbs around 23% of the for scientific discoveries that will
annual emissions of anthropogenic CO2 improve our understanding of the global
Global Ecosystem for Ocean Solutions
to the atmosphere, the CO2 reacts with climate system and provide solutions
(GEOS)
seawater and changes the acidity of for mitigating climate change. DOOS
GEOS will develop and deploy a series of
the ocean; this process is referred to is building a community of deep-sea
equitable, durable, and scalable ocean-
as ocean acidification. OARS will foster observers and innovators to advance
based solutions for addressing climate
the development of ocean acidification ocean and climate science and to address
change and the other Decade Challenges.
science addressing the impacts on these important societal needs.
6 Initial projects will focus on ocean-
marine life and sustainability of marine https://deepoceanobserving.org
based carbon dioxide removal, providing
ecosystems. Key components includeAchieving climate resilience in around the world and work closely with Regional programmes to
marine ecosystems practitioners to identify tangible steps to enhance ecosystem resilience
secure a healthy future for our fisheries in
The Coral Reef Sentinels: A Mars Shot the face of climate change. https://www. Bertarelli Foundation Marine Science
for Blue Planetary Health gmri.org/projects/fisheries-strategies- Programme
The Coral Sentinels Programme changing-oceans-and-resilient- This programme will advance our
is a transformative effort to deploy ecosystems-2030-fishscore2030/ understanding on the value of large
autonomous, low-cost robots to monitor marine protected areas, with a focus on
the health of coral reefs around the world SUstainability, Predictability and the Indian Ocean, by using science to
in near real-time. The actionable data REsilience of Marine Ecosystems inform management and conservation
delivered will enable rapid conservation (SUPREME) in the region to preserve biodiversity
interventions to protect these reefs from The SUPREME programme seeks to and promote a healthy ocean. The
harm while ensuring local ecological, globally implement an infrastructure programme features highly collaborative
economic, and cultural health. to support robust climate- and ocean- and interdisciplinary projects exploring
related forecasts, predictions, and innovative solutions and technology
Fisheries Strategies for Changing projections to guide marine ecosystem with an emphasis on enhanced
Oceans and Resilient Ecosystems by management and adaptation strategies communication, capacity building and
2030 (FishSCORE) that reduce risks and increase resilience increasing regional opportunities and
FishSCORE will aggregate climate of marine/coastal resources and the access to marine science. https://
resilience insights from fisheries people who depend on them. www.fondation-bertarelli.org/marine/
marine-science/
Reef Recovery 2030
Led by the Great Barrier Reef
Foundation, in partnership with the
world’s leading coral reef scientists,
Australian Government, reef managers,
businesses, First Nations people and
local communities, Reef Recovery 2030
will boost the resilience of these unique
reef ecosystems and the people that rely
on them. This is a decade long, one-
billion-dollar collective effort to turn
the tide on coral reef decline globally.
https://www.barrierreef.org/what-we-do/
reef-recovery-2030
Contributions supporting
Early Career Ocean
Professionals (ECOP) and SIDS
Norway-Pacific Ocean-Climate
Scholarship Program (N-POC)
N-POC will support 24 fully funded
PhD scholarships at the University of
the South Pacific (USP) within ocean
and climate research, ranging from the
natural sciences to the social sciences,
humanities, and law. A partnership
between the USP and Norway’s
University of Bergen, N-POC will build
new multidisciplinary Pacific research
on the ocean-climate nexus and build
an interdisciplinary Pacific cohort of
researchers for regional and global policy
impact. https://www.uib.no/en/n-poc
Many of the other endorsed programmes,
projects, contributions and events of
the Ocean Decade will contribute to the
transformative and inclusive science
we need for climate action. For more
information, please visit
www.oceandecade.org.
© Matt Curnock / Ocean Image Bank (John Brewer Reef, Great Barrier Reef, Australia).
7The Road Ahead for the Ocean Decade
Second Call for Decade Actions No. 02/2021 programmes that improve services and solutions, including
predictions, for the ocean, climate and weather, or programmes
The second Call for Decade Actions No. 02/2021 is open from
that focus on nature-based solutions to climate change. The Call
15 October 2021 until 31 January 2022. The ocean-climate
is also soliciting a diverse range of projects that will contribute
nexus is a priority theme of the Call, along with themes related
to multiple stressors on ecosystems and marine pollution. to the Ocean Decade Challenges related to climate solutions and
Submissions are encouraged for global or major regional resilience. Decisions on endorsement of Decade Actions received
programmes that will enhance understanding of the Ocean- through this Call will be made in 2022 and provide an opportunity
Climate Nexus and generate knowledge and solutions to to mobilise technology and innovation, capacity building, and
mitigate, adapt and build resilience to the effects of climate financing to unlock solutions that the ocean can provide in
change across all geographies and at all scales. This can include mitigating and adapting to climate change.
HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?
LEAD OR PARTICIPATE IN JOIN THE GLOBAL
A DECADE ACTION STAKEHOLDER FORUM
Decade Actions will be implemented by a wide range The Global Stakeholder Forum will serve as the primary
of proponents throughout the Decade. Regular Calls engagement mechanism for the Ocean Decade, announcing
for Actions will be released twice per year. opportunities for funding and partnerships, workshops
Visit www.oceandecade.org to learn more and trainings, meetings, conferences, and input on calls
about the Call for Decade Actions for future Decade Actions. Sign up today to join the Global
No. 02/2021. Stakeholder Forum at
forum.oceandecade.org
HOW TO
ENGAGE?
ESTABLISH OR JOIN A REGIONAL
BECOME A MEMBER OF OR NATIONAL DECADE COMMITTEE
THE OCEAN DECADE ALLIANCE Coordination at the national and regional level will foster
inclusion, engage national stakeholders and facilitate
The Ocean Decade Alliance is a key mechanism for
resource mobilisation during the Decade and will regional and national contributions to the Decade, as well
act as a matchmaker between resource providers as to promote awareness and interest. These voluntary and
and proponents of Decade Actions – in line with the multi-stakeholder platforms will be key in linking national
priorities of the Decade.Visit action to the international Ocean Decade framework.
https://www.oceandecade.org/ocean-decade-alliance Learn more about national and regional groups on www.
to learn more oceandecade.org
Published in October 2021 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 7, place de Fontenoy, 75352 Paris 07 SP, France
© UNESCO 2021
This publication is available in Open Access under the Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 IGO (CC-BY-SA 3.0 IGO) licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/igo/). For the use of any material not clearly
identified as belonging to UNESCO, prior permission shall be requested to copyright holders.
Cover photo: © Alex Tyrrell/Ocean Image Bank [Scuba Divers on Healthy Reef in Puerto Galera, Philippines]
Graphic design: UNESCO/Aurélia Mazoyer
UNESCO-IOC.2021. The Ocean Decade at COP26 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Paris, UNESCO. (The Ocean Decade Series, 31)
(IOC/2021/ODS/31)
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