The concept of 'blue carbon' has been widely recognised and accepted as a concept that can potentially assist in nations' climate change mitigation measures. As in the COP21 in Paris, 'blue carbon' will be a key focus for plenty of events during COP22 in Marrakech. See below for a list of events and activities addressing 'blue carbon':
Wednesday, 9 November, 10:30-12:00
Changing oceans and seas around the world: implications for mitigation & adaptation
VENUE: European Union Pavilion, Room Brussels
EVENT ORGANISERS: Plymouth Marine Laboratory; Biological Impacts of Ocean Acidification (BIOACID); GEOMAR; Ocean Acidification International Coordination Centre (OA-ICC)
Recent assessments of ocean warming, acidification, deoxygenation and sea level rise identified serious risks to marine ecosystems, fisheries, and coastal livelihoods and infrastructure. The Paris Agreement recognised the need to protect the integrity and biodiversity of the ocean and its ecosystems. This side event:
- Provided a space for a panel of international experts to discuss an integrated and updated perspective on the climate related changes, risks and projections for both natural and human ocean systems.
- Made mitigation and adaptation recommendations for future UNFCCC processes.
- Highlighted why the ocean provides further compelling arguments for rapid and rigorous CO2 emission reduction and why the implementation of the Paris Agreement must also minimise the impacts on the ocean.
Wednesday, 9 November, 13:15-14:45
SDG14: Oceans: Science based solutions for achieving adaptation and mitigation goals.
VENUE: Blue Zone, Mediterranean Room
EVENT ORGANISERS: United Nations (UN)
This side event highlighted how the UN system assists States in the implementation of the Paris Agreement, considering NDCs and related SDGs by, inter alia, building capacity and opportunities for adaptation, and maximising the role of oceans and related activities for mitigation.
Thursday, 10 November, 10:00-11:30
Open Day @ UNESCO Pavilion: Restoration of Blue Carbon Ecosystems
VENUE: Green Zone, UNESCO Pavilion
EVENT ORGANISERS: UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)
Thursday, 10 November, 18:30 - 20:00
Building Resilience and Adaptations Measures with Co-Mitigation Benefits in Red Sea and Arabian Gulf
VENUE: Blue Zone, Room Bering 150
EVENT ORGANIZERS: Saudi Arabia; The Regional Organisation for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA)
This side event showcased the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea and Gulf of Aden regions efforts in their adaptation actions through ecosystem solutions, addressing water conservation urban planning, desertification, marine conservation, considering blue carbon mitigation co-benefits.
Friday, 11 November, 09:00-10:30
Ocean and Climate: Deep Sea and Blue Finance
VENUE: Green Zone, Room Tensift
EVENT ORGANIZERS: Global Ocean Trust; Co-organizers: Nekton Foundation
Friday, 11 November, 09:00 - 12:30
The Ocean & Climate Forum. Register Here.
VENUE: Green Zone, Civil Society
EVENT ORGANISERS: The Ocean & Climate Platform
The Ocean & Climate Forum hosted by the Ocean & Climate Platform in collaboration with the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and Global Ocean Forum.
09:00-09:10: Registration
09:10-09:30: Opening Speech
09:30-10:15: From the Paris Agreement to Action-Mitigation and Adaptation: What are the initiatives to develop Ocean & Climate actions?
10:15-11:00: Science-Scientific questions, lacuna and research initiatives to better understand the links between Ocean and Climate and to guide actions.
11:00-11:30: Youth-Give voice to Youth regarding the solutions the ocean could offer against climate change in terms of adaptation and mitigation. Also, listen to their point of view regarding political and economic progress.
11:30-12:25: An Ocean Coalition-What are the convergences between States and Non-Governmental Actors regarding Ocean issues? How to include the Ocean in State contributions and the Action Agenda?
12:25-12:30: Closing session
Friday, 11 November, 11:30-13:00
Building Resilience for Climate Change Adaptation in Archipelagic and Small Island Developing States
VENUE: Blue Zone, Mediterranean Room 300
EVENT ORGANISERS: Indonesia; International Coastal and Ocean Organisation (ICO); World Ocean Network (WON)
This event will be a forum to share knowledge, experiences and lessons learned from policy makers and practitioners on how to build and strengthen resilient capacity for archipelagic and small island developing States in the face of climate change, particularly for marine and fisheries sectors.
More information Here
Saturday, 12 November, 10:30-12:00
Wetlands and Peat - Understanding the Potential
VENUE: European Union Pavilion, Room Brussels
EVENT ORGANISERS: UNEP; Jena-Optronik GmbH; Semide/EMWIS; Tour du Valat; Wetlands International
Although peatlands, a particular type of weatlands, only cover about 4 million km2, they store significant amounts of carbon. Peatland degradation is responsible for an estimated 5% of global GHG emissions. Information on the extent of wetlands, their ecological character and level of degradation is scattered, underestimated and difficult to find and access. To address the issue of the lack of data, the side event will present solutions for gathering information, e.g. provided by SWOS, the Satellite-based Wetland Observation Service. In regard to the need to improve the peatland management in order to reduce the GHG emissions, a new global initiative of nine key organisations will be launched at the event. The participants have the opportunity to contribute to the discussion and share experiences on how peatlands can help countries in realising their contributions to the Paris Climate Agreement.
Saturday, 12 November, all day
Oceans Action Day at COP 22
VENUE: Blue Zone
ORGANISERS: Global Ocean Forum
The Oceans Action Day at COP 22 will bring together leaders in the UNFCCC negotiations, high-level representatives from governments, intergovernmental/international organizations, and civil society to advance the oceans and climate change agenda at COP 22 and beyond.
Saturday, 12 November, 13:15-14:45
Incorporating Blue Carbon into Nationally Determined Contributions Under the Paris Agreement
VENUE: Blue Zone, Room Arabin 150
ORGANISERS: Australia; Wetlands International
Coastal blue carbon ecosystems - mangroves, tidal marshes, and seagrass meadows - present considerable potential for carbon storage and resilience. Participants in this event will be able to share lessons learned from the challenges and opportunities involved in protecting blue carbon ecosystems.
Monday, 14 November, 16:00-17:00
International Partnership for Blue Carbon - Ministerial
VENUE: Gulf Cooperation Council Pavilion
ORGANISERS: Gulf Cooperation Council
Tuesday, 15 November, 16:10-17:30
Indonesian Blue Carbon Dialogue
VENUE: Indonesian Pavilion
ORGANISERS: CIFOR
More info Here.
For more information on the many other events during COP22 follow this Link.