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Oceans & Blue Carbon at COP25

By Blue Forests Project

December 2^nd, 2019

Ocean and blue carbon solutions continue to be recognized as important options for nature-based climate policy and management. These are showcased through the following events at the UNFCCC COP25 in Madrid, Spain, 2-13 Dec 2019, and related publications and media, such as by Greenpeace, the Buckminster Fuller Institute and UN Environment.

This blog links to over 37 hours of oceans & blue carbon side events and related videos.

Monday, 2nd of December

Ocean for Climate: Moving from Science to Policy

French Pavilion, 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Speakers: Brune Poirson, Secretary of State to the Minister for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition, France; Moderator Loreley Picourt, Secretary General, Ocean and Climate Platform; Valérie Masson Delmotte, Working Group I Co-Chair, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC); Raphaël Cuvelier, Vice-President, Ocean and Climate Platform, and Senior Advisor, Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation; Anna Zivian, Ocean Conservancy; and Rémy Rioux, CEO, Agence Française de Développement

Video: click here

IISD Reporting Services: click here

Nature-Based Solutions: Integrating Coastal Ecosystems in 2020 NDCs

Side Event Room 6, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Description: Approaches to include protection of seagrass, mangroves and/or saltmarshes – ecosystems with multiple co-benefits and IPCC guidelines for measuring mitigation value - in 2020 NDCs will be discussed. This event will serve as a contribution to the broader dialogue on role of nature-based solutions.

Speakers: Mr. Thomas Hickey, The Pew Charitable Trusts; Ms. Lisa Schindler Murray, The Nature Conservancy (TNC); Amb. Ronald Jumeau, Seychelles; Amb. Lois Young, Belize; Mr. Rémy Rioux, Agence Française de Développement (AFD - France); Mrs. Rochelle Newbold, Bahamas; Ms. Jeanette Mani, Fiji; Ms. Rosana Garay, Chile

Video: click here

IISD Reporting Services: click here

Press release: Pew Applauds Commitments to Protect Coastal Habitats, The PEW Charitable Trusts

Tuesday, 3rd of December

Mangroves, the NDC Booster

Panda HUB, 6:00 PM - 7.30 PM

Speakers: Representative of BMZ; Representative of Nairobi Work Programme; Ms. Emily Landis, Coastal Wetlands Lead, The Nature Conservancy; Ms. Hasanhi Urugodawatte Dissanayake, Director General of Ocean Affairs, Environment and Climate Change, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka; Ms. Marcia Nrepo, Mangroves Technical Specialist, Ministry of Seas, Inland Waters & Fisheries, Mozambique; Representative of Government of Costa Rica

Video: click here

Wednesday, 4th of December

The Ocean, CO2 and society: challenges, opportunities and science responses for seas and society

UK Pavilion, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Description: Rising CO2 is impacting ocean ecosystems and dependent coastal communities through multiple climate-related changes to ocean physics, chemistry and biology. The ocean is also a source of adaptation and mitigation responses. The session will showcase how action-driven transdisciplinary science can help understand and manage the challenges placed on the ocean and so improve sustainable development.

Speakers: Carol Turley, OBE, Senior Scientist, Plymouth Marine Laboratory; Gemma Harper, Deputy Director Marine, UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Alessandro Tagliabue, Lead Author IPCC SROCC & University of Liverpool; Jason A. Lowe, Met Office Hadley Centre & Priestley International Centre for Climate, University of Leeds; Mel Austen, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, UK Government’s Global Challenges Research Fund Blue Communities; Camille Bourgeon, International Maritime Organization; Kirsty Crocket, University of Edinburgh & the Changing Arctic Ocean Programme; Kacper Stefaniak, Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult

The IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC): a Pacific perspective (SPC)

Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion, 1:45 PM - 2:45 PM

Description: The side event will discuss the findings of the IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC) and what this means in terms of adaptation measures for the most vulnerable small islands, low-lying and coastal zones in the ACP regions and communities.

Speakers: The panel will be composed of representatives of ACP Islands States, coastal and low-lying zones form the Pacific Islands, Caribbean and African islands, coastal and/or low-lying zones. It will feature one of the authors of the report, Professor Elisabeth Holland.

Video: click here

Pacific – leading the charge by taking ambitious climate action. Pacific Island Countries are enhancing their NDCs!

Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion, 4:15 PM - 5:15 PM

Description: The event will bring together Pacific national Climate Change and NDC Focal Points to share their country efforts in enhancing their NDCs for submission in 2020 (and in the case of RMI, already submitted in 2018). Through interactive discussions, the country representatives will expand on how they identified the different areas contributing to enhanced and more ambitious targets and conditions to ensure the achievement of these goals.

Video: click here

Moving from Science to Action: Ocean-Climate Policy Recommendations

Room Helsinki, 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Description: This side-event will bring together international scientists and experts to discuss the rationale behind the Platforms' recommendations.

Speakers: Joachim Claudet , Moderator, Research Director CNRS-CRIOBE Ocean and Climate Platform; Lisa Levin, distinguished Professor, Scripps; Françoise Gaill, Emeritus Research Director CNRS, Vice-President Ocean and Climate Platform; Anna Zivian, Senior Research Fellow, Ocean Conservancy; Carol Turley, Senior Scientist Plymouth Marine Laboratory; Torsten Thiele, Founder Global Ocean Trust

Thursday, 5th of December

Ocean for Climate (Because the Ocean - BTO)

Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion, 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Description: Almost three quarters of our planet is covered by oceans, and around 10% of continental landmass is covered by glaciers and ice caps. The Because the Ocean (BTO) initiative published a new report called Ocean for Climate, focused exclusively on the ocean-related elements of the IPCC report. The great importance of the relation between ocean and climate led governments to sign the first BTO declaration in 2015, during COP21. Since then, BTO has continued to highlight the ocean-climate connection, encouraging ocean protection as a means of mitigating and adapting to climate change. The event will bring together speakers to share light on some of the key elements of that nexus, including: Ocean energy, blue carbon and fisheries adaptation.

Speakers: Mr. Kushaal K Raj, Ministry of Economy, Fiji; Mr. Mohammed Asid Zullah, SPC; and representatives from Cook Islands, New Zealand, FAO and SPREP (TBC)

Video: click here

Report Ocean for Climate: click here

Ocean Science: From the Arctic MOSAiC Expedition to ocean acidification and CO2 storage

German Pavilion, 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Description: The Arctic is a key area for global warming and it affects weather in the Northern hemisphere. Scientists will explain the mechanism and potential consequences of a changing climate, its impact for ecosystems and steps needed to restore ocean health.

Speakers: Tim Eder, Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Germany; Prof. Hans-Otto Pörtner, Alfred-Wegener-Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Germany; Toste Tanhua, GEOMAR - Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Germany; Torsten Thiele, IASS - Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies, IPSO - International Programme on the State of the Ocean, Germany; Dr. Dirk Schories, Project Management Jülich, Germany

Building climate resilience in coastal areas through risk and natural resource management for sustainability (FAO) (EDF)

Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion, 1:45 PM - 2:45 PM

Description: As a follow-up to the Climate Summit side-event on nature-based solutions, the side-event will showcase how building climate resilience in coastal areas is achieved through climate risk and natural resource management for sustainability with a focus on SIDS. It will demonstrate the power of combining these two streams and will discuss ways to build bankable narrative and action to foster access to climate funds.

Video: click here

Event information: click here

Joint SBSTA-IPCC special event: Special report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC)

Plenary LOA, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Speakers: Paul Watkinson (SBSTA Chair); Andrés Couve (Chile); Ovais Sarmad (UNFCCC Deputy Executive Secretary); Hoesung Lee (IPCC chair); Valérie Masson-Delmotte (IPCC WG I Co-Chairs); Panmao Zhai (IPCC WG I Co-Chairs); Hans-Otto Pörtner (IPCC WG II Co-Chair); Debra Roberts (IPCC WG II Co-Chair)

Video: click here

Friday, 6th of December

Maritime Traffic, Oceans and Biodiversity

IPCC Pavilion, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Description: This panel aims to highlight the urgency of addressing the threats to which the ocean ecosystems and its inhabitants are being exposed, and the need for actors from the public, private, civil society and decision-making sectors to work together looking for solutions leading to effective ocean conservation.

Speakers: PhD. Humberto González. Oceanographer and Coordinator of the Cryosphere and Antarctic group of the COP25 Chilean scientific committee; Ralph Chami, International Monetary Fund. Economist with a relevant vision of the ocean biodiversity value in the fight against climate change; PhD. Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, IPCC author report. Biologist and climate scientist specialized in coral reefs, bleaching due to global warming and climate change; PhD. Sonia Español-Jiménez. Cetacean area research coordinator in MERI Foundation

Video: click here

Market-based mechanisms, nature-based solutions and enhancing climate resilience

IETA BusinessHub, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Description: This panel will explore the potential for market-based mechanisms, carbon pricing for blue carbon, sustainable finance innovations, blended finance to help reduce emissions and enhance climate resilience. Insights will be shared from the work of the new Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance, launched at the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit.

Speakers: Abyd Karmali, Climate Finance Executive Bank of America; Deon Nel, CEO, The Global Resilience Partnership; TBC, AXA Investment Management; Karen Sack, Director, Oceans Unite

Marine protected areas as tools for adaptive marine resource management in the face of climate change

UK Pavilion, 11:20 AM - 12:30 PM

Description: This session will showcase the evidence-base for the role of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in adaptive marine resource management in tackling climate change, MPAs can be used as a tool which can build and support ecosystem resilience, acting as nature-based solutions for mitigating the impacts of climate change.

How can ending overfishing mitigate climate change?

Cryosphere Pavilion, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Description: A groundbreaking new study shows that ending overfishing is essential to build ocean resilience and can mitigate the impacts of climate change. Join our panel of global experts to explore the role of fish and marine life in the carbon cycle and marine ecosystems, repercussions for the Arctic, and discuss how fulfilling existing commitments to ending overfishing is decisive climate action, that states can deliver this year.

Speakers: Dr Rashid Sumaila, Fisheries Economics Research Unit, Global Fisheries Cluster, The University of British Columbia; Ambassador Peter Thomson, UN Special Envoy for the Ocean; Angela Martin, Research Fellow, Centre for Coastal Research, University of Agder, Norway; Dr Martin Sommerkom, WWF Arctic Program; Dr Monica Verbeek, Executive Director Seas At Risk; Dr Jacob Hagberg, Senior Scientific Officier of Swedish Ministry Environment

Video: click here

Event information: click here

Taking COP25 - the Blue COP - to Bergen

Description: Delegates arriving for this morning’s session of the EU-Norway Fisheries consultation were met by a troupe of flamboyant flamenco dancers to highlight the link between the UN climate change negotiations in Madrid and the need for the EU and Norway to deliver on their ambitions for climate action by ending overfishing of shared fish populations, which would increase the ocean’s capacity to mitigate climate change.

Video: click here

MPGCA Oceans and Coastal Zones: Climate action towards 1.5C pathway

Side Event Room 6, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Description: Addressing the impacts of climate change in coastal and ocean areas is progressing. Climate actions including nature-based solutions which simultaneously support sustainable development priorities, and examples of successful collaboration to develop climate resilience and blue economies shared.

Video: click here

Blue climate action: marine nature-based solutions for NDCs

German Pavilion, 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Description: Nature-based Solutions contribute to climate adaptation and mitigation, this is also identified in IPCC Special Report on oceans and cryosphere. Resilient coastal and marine ecosystems are key for coastal livelihoods.

Speakers: Norbert Gorißen, Deputy Director General International Policy, German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMU), Germany; Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven, Director-General Global Issues, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany; Richard Muyungi, Director, Vice President’s Office of the United Republic of Tanzania, Board Member Green Climate Fund, Tanzania; Carol Phua, Head of WWF International Coral Reef Rescue Programm; Pablo Vieira, Global Director of the NDC Partnership Support Unit; Nilesh Prakash, Head of Climate Change & International Cooperation Ministry of Economy, Government of the Republic of Fiji, Fiji; Dorothée Herr, IUCN, Germany

13th Focal Point Forum of the Nairobi Work Programme on the ocean

San Pedro de Atacama Room, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Description: Scope of work on the thematic area: oceans, coastal areas and ecosystems, including mega deltas, coral reefs and mangroves as well as slow onset events, in areas of understanding and assessing climate change impacts as well as resilience and adaptation to climate change.

Speakers: Mr. Paul Watkinson, Chair of the SBSTA; Minister Andrés Couve, COP 25 Presidency; Mr. Hans-Otto Pörtner, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; Ms. Musonda Mumba, UN Environment; Lisa Schindler Murray, The Nature Conservancy; Denis Chang Seng, IOC UNESCO; Dorothée Herr, IUCN; Michael Weisberg, University of Pennsylvania; Patrycja Enet, Expert consultant for the UNFCCC; Mr. Paul Watkinson, Chair of the SBSTA

Event information: click here

So, what about the Blue COP?

Global Landscapes Forum interview with Daniel Murdiyarso (CIFOR)

Description: So what about the Blue COP? It’s still in the picture. And looking forward, clearer regulations on carbon markets could actually help bring more private sector attention to blue carbon – carbon stored in coastal, wetland and oceanic ecosystems – particularly through carbon emissions offsetting schemes.

Video: click here

Saturday, 7th of December

Ocean-based solutions for climate action: feedback and perspectives and contributions from marine science

French Pavilion, 9.15 AM - 10.45 AM

Speakers: French Facility for the Global Environment (FFEM), TARA Ocean Foundation, Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), University of Chile - CNRS / Center for Mathematical Modeling, French Agency for Biodiversity (AFB), Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Ocean Climate Platform.

What is the role of blue carbon in both tackling climate change, and boosting climate resilience?

UK Pavilion, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Description: This session will explore the role of blue carbon ecosystems – like mangroves, seagrasses and tidal marshes – in both reducing carbon emissions and helping coastal areas adapt to climate change, by boosting protection against floods, storms and sea level rise. It will also consider how to integrate marine ecosystem management into policy.

Speakers: Ali Mashayek, Imperial College London; Nick Reynard, Imperial College London; Melanie Austen, Plymouth Marine Laboratory; Ioannis Karmpadakis, Imperial College London; John O. Niles, The Carbon Institute

EU Ocean Day - Oceans and Climate: from science to policy

Room Brussels, 11:15 AM - 12:45 PM

Description: The Paris Agreement and SDG14 recognize the ocean as a vulnerable ecosystem, the main component of climate regulation, key provider of food and livelihoods for hundreds of millions. Scientists collaborating across the world have been addressing the ocean-climate nexus culminating in the unique IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and the Cryosphere in a Changing Climate and announcement of the UN Decade of Ocean Science.

Speakers: Veronika Veits, Director international ocean governance and sustainable fisheries; Biliana Cicin-Sain, President Global Ocean Forum; Carol Turley, Moderator, Plymouth Marine Laboratory; Hans-Otto Pörtner, Co Chair IPCC WGII; Manuel Barange, Director Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy and Resources Division of the FAO; Leona Roberts; Rebecca Lynge, Deputy Head of Mission, Greenland representation in Washington; Jean-Pierre Gattuso , Research director Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefrance, CNRS, Sorbonne Université and Iddri, FR; Ana M Queiros, Plymouth Marine Laboratory; Jean-Jacques Goron, Managing director BNP Paribas Foundation; Lorely Piccourt, Ocean and Climate Platform

Natural climate solutions: Peatland and wetland conservation and restoration, engaging action in the Northern and Scottish contexts

UK Pavilion, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Description: A Scottish - Chilean bilateral on Peatland Restoration: focus on sharing knowledge and management approaches to peatland restoration in order to engage international stakeholders; the event will include research and implementation talks, concluding with the signing of a bilateral MoU between the Scottish Government and Chilean Ministry for the Environment.

Raising Ambition on Climate and the Oceans

Side Event Room 5, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Description: The oceans face particular challenges in both reducing GHG emissions and adapting to a warming climate. The objectives of the side event are to further the discussion on and implementation of science-based solutions.

Speakers: Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, Focal Point for UN Oceans; United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and United Nations Legal Counsel (or his representative); Mr. Peter Thomson, United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean; Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs, United Nations (DOALOS/OLA) Ms. Valentina Germani, Senior Legal Officer (Programme Advisor); FAO, Mr. Manuel Barange, Director of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy and Resources Division; IOC-UNESCO, Mr. Ariel Troisi, Chair of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission; IMO, Mr. Camille Bourgeon, Technical Officer, Subdivision for Protective Measures, Marine Environment Division; UNCTAD, Ms. Regina Asariotis, Chief, Policy and Legislation Section, TLB, Division on Technology and Logistics; WMO, Dr. Agnes Kijazi, Vice President of WMO, WMO’s Permanent, Representative for Tanzania, and Director General of Tanzania Meteorological Authority; OHCHR, Ms. Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples

Video: click here

Event information: click here

Building the Resilience of the Ocean Economy (High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy)

Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Description: This side event will launch a new scientific paper commissioned by the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy that outlines first of its kind analysis of the impact of climate change across three key ocean sectors – reef tourism, wild capture fisheries, mariculture - and offers a set of solutions for decision-makers.

Speakers: Elena Ojea (Future Oceans Lab); Willow Battista (EDF); Ove Hoegh-Guldberg (University of Queensland); Manuel Barange (FAO); Taholo Kami, Special Oceans Representative (Fiji) . Moderator – Maria Damanaki (Global Managing Director Oceans, The Nature Conservancy). Closing Remarks: HE. Mr. Peter Thomson, UN Special Envoy for the Ocean

Video: click here

Press release: New Report Focuses On Building A Resilient Blue Economy In the Face of Climate Change, SPREP

Climate Change and Ocean

Japan Pavilion, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Description: The proposed side event in Japan Pavilion, as one of the parallel sessions, will focus on current situations of the impact of climate change on the ocean both in Japan and the Asia-Pacific region in an effort to increase understanding and raise issues to be addressed.

Speakers: OPRI-SPF, President, Dr. Atsushi Sunami; Oceano Azul Foundation, Portugal, CEO, Mr. Tiago Pitta e Cunha; Global Ocean Forum, Policy Directions Highlighted in the 2019 Progress Report on Oceans and Climate, President, Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain; Deputy Minister for Human Resources, Sciences and Technologies and Maritime Culture, Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Resources, Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Dr. Safri Burhanuddin; Ambassador/DPR, Belize UN Mission, Deputy Chairperson and Lead on Climate Finance and Oceans, Alliance of Small Island States, H.E. Mrs. Janine Coye Felson; Chilean Foreign Service, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Affairs, Ms. Rosana Garay Maldonado; Vice-Minister for Freshwater and Oceans Affairs, Ministry of Environment and Energy, Costa Rica, H.E. Ms. Haydée Rodríguez-Romero; Swedish Ambassador for the Ocean, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Sweden, H.E. Ms. Helen Ågren; Special Representative for the Ocean Pathway, COP 23 Presidency Secretariat, Fiji, Mr. Taholo Kami; Head of Oceans and Natural Resources, The Commonwealth Secretariat, Dr. Nick Hardman-Mountford; Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy and Resources Division, FAO, Director, Prof. Manuel Barange; Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, Chair, Mr. Ariel Troisi; Because the Ocean Initiative, Coordinator, Mr. Rémi Parmentier; Secretary General, Ocean and Climate Platform, Ms. Loreley Picourt; Associate Researcher, Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), Mr. Jean-Pierre Gattuso; University of California, San Diego, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Ms. Lisa Levin; Research Director, National Center for Scientific Research, Mr. Joachim Claudet; Strategic Marine Initiatives, Conservation International, Senior Director, Ms. Emily Pidgeon; Ocean Unite, Managing Director, Ms. Karen Sack; Policy Officer, Ocean Energy Europe, Mr. Rémi Collombet-Gourdon; Executive Director, Seas at Risk, Ms. Monica Verbeek; Naval Architect, Co-Founder and CEO, VPLP Design, Mr. Marc Van Peteghem; Director of Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability, The Pacific Community (SPC), Ms. Sylvie Goyet; OPRI-SPF, Miko Maekawa; Coastal Zone Canada Association, and Acadia University, Canada, Dr. Peter Ricketts; Secretary General, Spanish Fishing Confederation, Cepesca, and Chairman, Europêche and the European Fisheries Technology Platform (EFTP), Mr. Javier Garat; Climate Change Adviser, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), Mr. Espen Ronnenberg; International Organization for Migration, Environment and Climate Change Division, Head, Ms. Dina Ionesco; Coordination Unit, Platform on Disaster Displacement, Head, Mr. Atle Solberg; Senior Policy Adviser and Asia Pacific Focal Point, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, Ms. Donna Lagdameo; Alliance for Global Water Adaptation (AGWA), Policy Director, Ms. Ingrid Timboe

IISD Reporting Services: click here

High Level Briefing – 2020 UN Ocean Conference

SDG Pavilion, 2:15 PM - 2:45 PM

Description: This high-level briefing raised awareness of the 2020 UN Ocean Conference among the participants of the UN Climate Change Conference through presentations by the Secretary-General of the Conference, representatives of co-hosts, together with the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean. The United Nations General Assembly through resolution 73/292 decided to convene the 2020 United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development (2020 UN Ocean Conference). The overarching theme of the Conference is 'Scaling up ocean action based on science and innovation for the implementation of Goal 14 - stocktaking, partnerships and solutions'. The Governments of Kenya and Portugal will co-host the Conference, which will be held in Lisbon, Portugal, from 2 to 6 June 2020.

EU Ocean Day - Adaptation and mitigation strategies in changing oceans

Room Brussels, 3:00 PM - 4:45 PM

Description: This session will explore current challenges and opportunities to address the climate-ocean link, and associated adaptation & mitigation strategies over a range of socio-economic contexts. This sesssion will also discuss emerging and challenging ocean adaptation issues and analyse how various countries and institutions could integrate their experience in the 2020 NDC review for ocean-climate indicators.

Speakers: Dr. Manuel Barange, Director of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy and Resources Division at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United State; Dr. David J Wrathall, Professor and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; Dr. Sylvie Goyet, Director of Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability; Dr. Anthony Talouli, Blue Initiative; Dr. Dorothee Herr, IUCN; Veronika Veits, Director Internation Ocean Governance and Sustainable Fisheries

High Level Closing of Oceans Action Day - Mobilizing support for oceans and climate action

Chile Pavilion, 5:15 PM - 6:45 PM

Speakers: Mr. Julio Cordano Head, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chile; Ms. Rosana Garay Maldonado, Chilean Foreign Service, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Affairs; H.E. Ms. Carolina Schmidt, Minister of the Environment and COP25 President; Mr. Gonzalo Muñoz, Highlevel Climate Champion of Chile; Ambassador Peter Thomson, Fiji, UN Special Envoy for the Ocean; High Level Representative of the European Commission; High Level Representative of the Nordic Council of Ministers; Ambassador Macharia Kamau, Principal Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kenya; Ambassador Álvaro Mendonça e Moura, Permanent Representative of Portugal to the United Nations, Portugal; Ambassador Arif Havas Oegroseno, Republic of Indonesia; Governor Andrew Cuomo, New York, United States; Mr. Ariel Troisi, Chair, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO; Ms. Greta Thunberg, Swedish teenage environmental activist on climate change, International Children's Peace Prize (2019) awardee

Video: click here

IISD Reporting Services: click here

Report on Oceans Action Day at COP25

Description: In summary, Oceans Action Day at COP25 and related events emphasized that action on the oceans and climate nexus must happen today, not tomorrow. The scientists have spoken loudly and clearly in the two IPCC reports. The young people have spoken and have said “Do not rob us of our future.” The UN Secretary General has spoken and emphasized the climate emergency. Political leaders on every continent have spoken on the oceans and climate issues and the need for concerted and ambitious action. And, UNFCCC leaders, in the COP25 closing decision, adopted the provision on oceans calling for a considered examination of the ocean and climate issues in the run-up to COP26 in Glasgow, United Kingdom.

Report: click here

Monday, 9th of December

Addressing Global Climate Change Challenges through Nature-based Solutions

Side Event Room 1, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Description: The effects of climate change on oceans continue to adversely impact economies, societies and biodiversity. Yet, the potential of coastal and marine NbS to support global mitigation and adaptation efforts remains underutilised. New science and successful NbS projects will be presented and discussed.

Speakers: Grethel Aguilar, acting Director General IUCN; H.E. Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, Minister of the Environment and Energy, Costa Rica; H.E. Malik Amin, Minister of Environment/Advisor on Climate Change, Pakistan; Dr. James Kairo, Chief Scientist, Kenya Marine and Fisheries Resources Institute Marine, Kenya; Dr. Timothée Ourbak, Climate Change Division, AFD, France; Francisco Rilla, Director, Science and Policy, Ramsar Convention Secretariat; Minna Epps, Director, Global Marine and Polar Programme, IUCN

Video: click here

Press release: Pakistan only country with increasing mangrove cover, The Express Tribune

Event information: click here

Ocean-Climate Leadership at the Blue COP

U.S. Climate Action Center, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Description: Leaders will discuss how they are taking ocean-climate action at the national and subnational levels. Learn about recent progress and new initiatives to address the ocean and climate crises.

Speakers: Secretary Wade Crowfoot, California Natural Resources Agency; Fiji Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum; Vice Minister of Water and Seas Haydee Rodriguez, Costa Rica; Environment Secretary Ben Grumbles, State of Maryland; Jennifer Hennessey, Office of Washington Governor Jay Inslee; Anu Hittle, State of Hawaii; Whitney Berry, California Ocean Protection Council; Anne Merwin and Gwynne Taraska, Ocean Conservancy; Lisa Suatoni, NRDC

Video: click here

Global ocean governance for enhancing the ambition of national commitments on oceans

Side Event Room 1, 1:15 PM - 2:45 PM

Description: There is a challenge between national commitments (NDC) and the characteristics of the ocean, which goes beyond that logic. In that sense, a conversation related to addressing the challenge (i.e. of the Pacific Ocean) in an integrated/coordinated manner including: integrated information, measures of integrated adaptation, integrated governance, etc.

Video: click here

IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate

SDG Pavilion, 2:45 PM - 4:00 PM

Description: Given the role of the ocean as the largest natural climate regulator on earth, and recognizing the interconnected ways in which the ocean and cryosphere are expected to change in a warming climate, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate, in September. Amb. Peter Thomson, UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Ocean, and Dr. Hoesung Lee, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change promoted the report at this event among policy-makers and other stakeholders, and shared ways to support further implementation of the 2030 Agenda, in particular Sustainable Development Goal 14, and the Paris Agreement based on the findings of the report.

Event information: click here

Averting the climate and biodiversity crises: natural solutions pivotal in delivering NDC ambitions

Side Event Room 1, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Description: Wetlands, peatlands, mangroves, forests, and other primary ecosystems retain massive carbon stocks and improve resilience. Biodiversity underpins carbon storage and sequestration. Harnessing and mapping linkages between nature-rich and carbon-rich areas will catalyse higher ambition for NDCs.

Video: click here

Event information: click here

Implication of Blue carbon as a climate change response options

Korean Pavilion, 3.30 PM - 4.30 PM

Description: The carbon storing potential of blue carbon should be assessed in a scientifically sound way in order to receive further recognition from the UNFCCC process. In order to achieve the goal, a network of researchers should be formed to collate concerted efforts in demonstrating the potential. The research efforts of blue carbon will significantly enhance the awareness and conservation efforts of global community on key marine ecosystems such as tidal marches, seagrass meadows, mangrove forests. Members of the International Partnership for Blue Carbon – Korea, Australia, and XX – will share updates on actions and recent activities, including technical workshops on incorporating blue carbon into inventories.

Speakers: Ms. Kushla Munro, First Assistant Secretaty, Department of the Environment and Energy in Australia; Dr. Lee Suk Hui, Deputy general manager, KOEM; Prof. Kwon Bong Oh, Senior researcher, SNU; Dr. Park Heung Sik, Senior researcher, KIOST

Event information: click here

The Ocean – part of our problems and solutions: Nordic views on climate, ocean and cryosphere?

Nordic Pavilion, 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM

Description: In October 2019 the Nordic Ministers for Environment and Climate signed a declaration that will deepen the Nordic co-operation on oceans and climate; at the event Nordic ministers, young people, policymakers and representatives of the scientific community and Indigenous Peoples will continue to discuss the implications of climate change to the Nordic Region and the oceans, including possible solutions.

Video: click here

Climate finance for coastal resilience – what is next for Blue Natural Capital?

BENELUX-EIB Pavilion, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Description: This event will feature investors, including governments, MDBs and private investors, discussing the landscape and needs for fast-tracking investments into coastal resilience projects. Experiences and lessons learned from the Blue Natural Capital Financing Facility and other actors will be discussed. This event aims to crystalize clear action priorities to build a pipeline of investable coastal and marine projects for the benefit of climate action and conservation of natural resources and services.

Speakers: Carole Dieschbourg, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development, Luxembourg; Andrew Johnstone, CEO Climate Fund Managers; Torsten Thiele, Global Ocean Trust; David Antonioli, CEO Verra; Dorothée Herr, Moderator, Manager Oceans and Climate Change, IUCN; Paula Sierra, INVEMAR, Colombia; Karin Kemper, Global Director, Environment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy Global Practice, World Bank

Event information: click here

Tuesday, 10th of December

Developing Ecosystem Based Adaptation in Marine and Coastal Communities

Indonesia Pavilion, 9.00 AM - 10.20 AM

Speakers: H.E. Hermono, Ambassador of Indonesia to the Kingdom of Spain, Government of the Republic of Indonesia; Alexandra Gamboa, Manager, Government Initiatives in the Philippines, Rare Philippines; Helen Agren, Ambassador for the Oceans, Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs; Fegi Nurhabni, Assistant Deputy Director for Climate Change Adapatation, Ministry of Marine Affairs & Fisheries, Indonesia

Video: click here

Presentation slides: click here

Developing commitments to explore the prospect of integrating ocean and coastal wetlands issue into GHG emission reduction

Indonesia Pavilion, 10:30 AM - 11:50 AM

Speakers: Dr. IR. Joko Prihatno, MM, Advance Policy Analysis/Act. Director for GHG And MRV, Indonesia; Kushla Munro, First Assistant Secretary, International Climate Change and Energy Innovation Division, Department of the Environment and Energy, Government of Australia; Dr. Nani Hendiarti, Director of Maritime Science & Technology Utilization; Dr. Suseno Sukoyono & Imam Fitrianto, M.Env.Sc, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Republic of Indonesia; Heung-Sik Park, Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Tech.; Bong-Oh Kwon, Seoul national University; Haruni Krisnawati

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Accelerating of mangrove rehabilitation in Indonesia

Indonesia Pavilion, 2:50 PM - 3:50 PM

Speakers: Sahat M. Panggabean, Director for Environment and Maritime Disaser; Dr. Suseno Sukoyono & Fegi Nurhabni, M.Sc Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Republic of Indonesia; Captain (N) Arif Badrudin, Senior Staff Officer Of Operation Strategic IDN HQ; Rozainbahri Noor, Director of Human Capital and Business Development, PT SUCOFINDO – Superintending Company of Indonesia; Dr. Sri Mariati, Executive Director, Belantara Foundation

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Osaka Blue Ocean Vision Round Table in UNFCCC COP25

Japan Pavilion, 4:15 PM - 5:15 PM

Description: Delegations from governments and relevant organizations will share the “Osaka Blue Ocean Vision” beyond the G20 member countries, as well as will share their contribution to addressing marine plastic litter and microplastics problems to accelerate worldwide action.

Archipelagic and island states (AIS) Forum: Blue Economy and Ecotourism

Indonesia Pavilion, 5:10 PM - 6:00 PM

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Integrating Coastal Blue Carbon in NDCs

Side Event Room 1, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Description: There is potential for coastal blue carbon to support countries’ NDCs. This event will highlight practical actions underway, and launch new guidelines for countries considering including these ecosystems in NDCs and GHG inventories.

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Australia & the use of Blue Carbon to mitigate climate change

Description: Australian Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley MP highlights the potential of coastal blue carbon – mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrasses – as a natural climate solution. Video by the Australian Department of Energy and Environment & The International Partnership for Blue Carbon

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Wednesday, 11th of December

High-Level Event on the Role of the Ocean-Climate Nexus

Chile Pavilion, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Speakers: Taholo Kami, Special Representative to the Ocean Pathway Partnership, Fiji Chile – COP25 Presidency Representative TBC—Hans Otto-Portner, Co-Chair of Working Group II Minister Isabella Lövin, Ministry of the Environment, Sweden Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Ministry of Economy, Fiji Sue Biniaz, Distinguished Senior Fellow, Climate Advisers, Gwynne Taraska, Director, Climate Program, Ocean Conservancy TBC—Minister Ola Elvestuen, Ministry of Climate and Environment, Norway TBC—Secretary Theresa Villiers, Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, UK

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Thursday, 12th of December

Nature-based Solutions-Mangrove Conservation and Zero Deforestation Agricultural Production as Cases

Side Event Room 2, 1:15 PM - 2:45 PM

Description: Policy and practice sharing on mangrove conservation and zero deforestation agricultural & forestry supply chain as cases of providing nature-based climate solutions; promoting dialogues between interest parties and seeking methods and cooperation in promoting NBS among China, Latin America and EU.

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A blue and Resilient atoll nation – Kiribati perspectives (Government of Kiribati) (HL)

Description: Insights from the Government of Kiribati and the Phoenix Island Protected Area (PIPA). Sharing perspectives, challenges and success of resilient development and capitalising on the existing mechanisms in place to safeguard our vast ocean area and marine ecosystems and resources with key considerations for climate action, enhanced NDCs through the incorporation of Oceans, the implementation of adaptation and resilience through an eco-systems based approach, oceans financing through ocean governance and safeguard measures.