3. November 2016

BIOACID goes COP22

The German research network on ocean acidification and its partners speak up for the ocean at the climate change negotiations

Together with Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Labex MER, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the Ocean and Climate Platform and the Ocean Acidification International Coordination Centre, the German research network on ocean acidification, BIOACID (Biological Impacts of Ocean Acidification) draws negotiators’ attention to ocean change at the Marrakech Climate Change Conference COP22.
The partners welcome COP22 participants and visitors at their two booths in the UN area and the public “Green Zone” (C119) and participate in a number of official side events. Journalists are invited to contact BIOACID scientists and colleagues on-site.

Wednesday 9 November 2016
10:30-12:00
UN area, EU Pavilion

Changing oceans and seas around the world: Implications for mitigation & adaptation
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 ocean and its ecosystems and the need to ensure their integrity and protect their biodiversity.  A panel of international experts (involved in UN assessment reports, and national, EU, international and intergovernmental programmes) will provide an integrated and updated perspective on the climate related changes, risks and projections for both natural and human ocean systems and make mitigation and adaptation recommendations for future UNFCCC processes. It will highlight why the ocean provides further compelling arguments for rapid and rigorous CO2 emission reduction and why the implementation of the Paris Agreement must also minimize the impacts on the ocean. Panel presentations will be followed by open discussion with the audience.

Friday, 11 November 2016
11:00-12:30
UN area, Egyptian Pavilion

An African perspective: Changing oceans, the impact on society and the need for solutions, planning and implementation

Friday, 11 November 2016
18:30-20:00
UN area, Mediterranean

Our Ocean: World’s largest carbon sink and ecosystem under rapid change; challenges and actions
Global assessments of ocean warming, acidification, deoxygenation and sea-level rise identified serious risks to marine ecosystems, fisheries and coastal livelihoods. Experts from across the globe discuss oceans, climate and society; impacts, solutions and recommendations for future UNFCCC actions.

Saturday, 12 November 2016
10:00-21:00
UN area

Oceans Action Day at COP 22
The Oceans Action Day at COP 22 will bring together leaders in the UNFCCC negotiations, high-level representatives from governments, intergovernmental and international organizations, and civil society to advance the oceans and climate change agenda at COP 22 and beyond. The major objectives are to:
– highlight examples of adoption and implementation of the Paris Agreement;
– lend political support and provide suitable policy options in the implementation of actions on oceans, seas, coasts, and small island developing States (SIDS) issues in the context of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 14 on oceans and seas;
– connect the oceans, coasts and climate initiatives generated at and following COP 21 with national actions plans, initiatives and commitments, such as the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the SDGs (as called for in the Road Map for Global Climate Action);
– showcase and promote financial support and capacity development to enable nations to fulfill their NDCs, with special emphasis on oceans, seas and coasts, and on the concerns from SIDS and African States;
– develop specific next steps for advancing the oceans and climate issues in the UNFCCC process in the next phase, as part of the Road Map for Global Climate Action, and to implement UN SDG 14.

The Oceans Action Day at COP 22, part of the UNFCCC Global Climate Action Agenda, is organized under the leadership of H.E. Minister Hakima El Haité, High-Level Champion for Climate Change, Morocco, and H.E. Mr. Aziz Akhannouch, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Morocco. The main organizers of Oceans Action Day at COP 22 are the Government of Morocco, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the Global Ocean Forum, and the Ocean and Climate Platform.  The co-organizers include the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission/UNESCO, the Ocean Policy Research Institute, Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan, the Oceano Azul Foundation and Oceanario de Lisboa, Portugal, and the World Bank.