Ocean of Solutions to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss

Albeit strongly affected by human activities, the ocean and its ecosystems offer many solutions to meet current environmental and socio-economic challenges.

From this perspective, the role of science is central in identifying innovative solutions that meet the challenges of sustainability. Nature-based Solutions (NbS), such as the restoration of mangroves, seagrass beds or even corals, make possible the reconciliation of mitigation, adaptation, and conservation of biodiversity objectives while providing multiple socio-economic benefits including increased resilience of societies and territories.

Besides, key solutions exist to ensure the implementation of sustainable practices in all ocean-based industries that impact the ocean and coasts. For instance, the development of sustainable aquaculture and renewable marine energies are solutions for the future, promoting the transition to a net-zero carbon economy.

Key examples of such solutions were brought together in this “Ocean of solutions to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss” report: resulting from the expertise of nearly 60 member organizations of the OCP from the scientific world, local authorities and civil society including the private sector.

This report paves the way for action, shedding light on how to move “from the problem to the solution”  by providing solutions organized around 4 main axes:

• the protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems;
• the promotion of scientific research for innovation;
• the transition to low-carbon societies, territories, and economies.
• raise awareness and mobilize citizens, ensuring the necessary level of awareness to shift from knowledge to action.

What is more, the report brings together accessible, replicable, scalable and efficient initiatives to encourage transformative change, therefore reconciling the protection of the living world with societal challenges.

As explained, decision-makers involved in this long-awaited transition must now get in order, and relevant stakeholders must join the movement and fully play their role.

A few months away from the major international meetings on biodiversity (COP15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity) and climate (COP26 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), this report seeks to guide action towards the achievement of international goals, paving the way for a more sustainable world.

Explore the Ocean solutions report here