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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Addressing Ocean Acidification in Washington State and beyond

Washington State (Government) and Marine Resources Advisory Council (Partnership) (
Government
)
#OceanAction46955
    Description
    Description
    Washington State is an internationally recognized leader in addressing ocean acidification and climate impacts on the ocean. Since 2012, we have been implementing a comprehensive ocean acidification action plan and adapting it over time. A plan update in 2017 documented the significant progress and updated the actions and next steps. Actions include reducing carbon emissions, reducing land-based nutrient pollution, monitoring and forecasting changing ocean chemistry, conducting research on the biological responses of ecologically and economically important species, raising awareness of ocean acidification among key stakeholders and affected communities, and advancing innovative approaches to adapt or remediate impacts on marine systems, such as buffering shellfish hatchery water and using aquatic vegetation to modify local water chemistry. The Marine Resources Advisory Council, the State of Washington’s council on ocean acidification, was recently extended by law to 2032 and will continue coordinating implementation of the state’s OA action plan. The council has diverse representation of industry, state and federal agencies, tribes, elected officials, and non-governmental organizations. The Washington Ocean Acidification Center, at the University of Washington, advances and coordinates scientific knowledge on ocean acidification and changing ocean conditions in Washington and coordinates with the Council on plan implementation. Washington continues to partner with others in our region, as well as other states, nations, tribes, NGOs, affected businesses and academic institutions to share lessons-learned and evaluate opportunities to improve implementation of our action plan. We also continue to work to elevate the importance of this work through leadership at UN sustainable development, climate, and ocean conferences and forums in partnership with others participating in the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification (OA Alliance). Examples of recent activities in Washington State include: • Maintaining and expanding ocean acidification monitoring to provide more precise parameters and broader spatial and temporal coverage. • Researching biological impacts on salmon, harmful algal blooms and salmon. • Modelling the contribution of land-based sources that exacerbate acidification, particularly nutrients, and working to reduce those land-based sources. • Evaluating, protecting, and restoring aquatic vegetation that can help remediate ocean acidification conditions at a local scale, including passing a new state law aimed at advancing kelp and eelgrass protection and restoration. • Launching the nation’s first and only Ocean Acidification Sentinel Site in partnership with state and federal agencies, tribes, academic institutions and others. • Assessing social and economic vulnerability for some tribal communities to ocean acidification. • Expanding awareness to decision-makers and the general public through education and outreach. The state updated its legal climate targets to limit warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius and Governor Inslee signed into law a suite of the strongest climate change policies in the nation that will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonize Washington’s economy and put the state on a path to a clean energy future. Washington continues to mobilize ocean acidification partners and to educate the public on why and how these policies are linked to and necessary to achieving a healthy and sustainable ocean.
    Partners

    Marine Resources Advisory Council (Partnership), Washington Ocean Acidification Center (Academic institution), shellfish growers (Private sector), commercial and recreational fishing industry (Private sector), Tribes (Government), State agencies (Government), Puget Sound Partnership (Government), Olympic Coast Ocean Acidification Sentinel Site (Partnership), Surfrider Foundation (NGO), Puget Sound Restoration Fund (NGO), Washington Environmental Council (NGO), Washington Sea Grant (Academic institution), state legislators (Government), Taylor Shellfish (Private Sector), International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification (Partnership), Pacific Coast Collaborative (Partnership), the Interagency Working Group on Ocean Acidification (Government), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Government), Environmental Protection Agency (Government), The Nature Conservancy (NGO), Ocean Conservancy (NGO), University of Washington (Academic Institution), Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association (Private Sector), Surfrider Foundation (NGO), Global Ocean Health (NGO) and Seattle Aquarium (NGO).

    Goal 13

    Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

    Goal 13

    13.1

    Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries

    13.1.1

    Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population

    13.1.2

    Number of countries that adopt and implement national disaster risk reduction strategies in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030

    13.1.3

    Proportion of local governments that adopt and implement local disaster risk reduction strategies in line with national disaster risk reduction strategies

    13.2

    Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning

    13.2.1

    Number of countries with nationally determined contributions, long-term strategies, national adaptation plans and adaptation communications, as reported to the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

    13.2.2

    Total greenhouse gas emissions per year

    13.3

    Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

    13.3.1

    Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment

    13.a

    Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing countries in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation and fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund through its capitalization as soon as possible

    13.a.1

    Amounts provided and mobilized in United States dollars per year in relation to the continued existing collective mobilization goal of the $100 billion commitment through to 2025

    13.b

    Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing States, including focusing on women, youth and local and marginalized communities


     

    13.b.1

    Number of least developed countries and small island developing States with nationally determined contributions, long-term strategies, national adaptation plans and adaptation communications, as reported to the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

    Goal 14

    Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

    Goal 14

    14.1

    By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution

    14.1.1

    (a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density

    14.2

    By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

    14.2.1

    Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas

    14.3

    Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

    14.3.1
    Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations

    14.4

    By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics

    14.4.1
    Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels

    14.5

    By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information

    14.5.1
    Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

    14.6

    By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation

    14.6.1

    Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

    14.7

    By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism

    14.7.1

    Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries

    14.a

    Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries

    14.a.1
    Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology

    14.b

    Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets

    14.b.1

    Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries

    14.c

    Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"

    14.c.1

    Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

    Goal 17

    Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

    Goal 17

    17.1

    Strengthen domestic resource mobilization, including through international support to developing countries, to improve domestic capacity for tax and other revenue collection

    17.1.1
    Total government revenue as a proportion of GDP, by source
    17.1.2
    Proportion of domestic budget funded by domestic taxes

    17.2

    Developed countries to implement fully their official development assistance commitments, including the commitment by many developed countries to achieve the target of 0.7 per cent of ODA/GNI to developing countries and 0.15 to 0.20 per cent of ODA/GNI to least developed countries; ODA providers are encouraged to consider setting a target to provide at least 0.20 per cent of ODA/GNI to least developed countries

    17.2.1
    Net official development assistance, total and to least developed countries, as a proportion of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Development Assistance Committee donors’ gross national income (GNI)

    17.3

    Mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries from multiple sources

    17.3.1

    Additional financial resources mobilized for developing countries from multiple sources 

    17.3.2
    Volume of remittances (in United States dollars) as a proportion of total GDP

    17.4

    Assist developing countries in attaining long-term debt sustainability through coordinated policies aimed at fostering debt financing, debt relief and debt restructuring, as appropriate, and address the external debt of highly indebted poor countries to reduce debt distress

    17.4.1
    Debt service as a proportion of exports of goods and services

    17.5

    Adopt and implement investment promotion regimes for least developed countries

    17.5.1

    Number of countries that adopt and implement investment promotion regimes for developing countries, including the least developed countries

    17.6

    Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation and enhance knowledge sharing on mutually agreed terms, including through improved coordination among existing mechanisms, in particular at the United Nations level, and through a global technology facilitation mechanism

    17.6.1

     Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants, by speed

    17.7

    Promote the development, transfer, dissemination and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries on favourable terms, including on concessional and preferential terms, as mutually agreed

    17.7.1

    Total amount of funding for developing countries to promote the development, transfer, dissemination and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies

    17.8

    Fully operationalize the technology bank and science, technology and innovation capacity-building mechanism for least developed countries by 2017 and enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology

    17.8.1
    Proportion of individuals using the Internet

    17.9

    Enhance international support for implementing effective and targeted capacity-building in developing countries to support national plans to implement all the Sustainable Development Goals, including through North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation

    17.9.1

    Dollar value of financial and technical assistance (including through North-South, South‑South and triangular cooperation) committed to developing countries

    17.10

    Promote a universal, rules-based, open, non-discriminatory and equitable multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organization, including through the conclusion of negotiations under its Doha Development Agenda

    17.10.1
    Worldwide weighted tariff-average

    17.11

    Significantly increase the exports of developing countries, in particular with a view to doubling the least developed countries’ share of global exports by 2020

    17.11.1

    Developing countries’ and least developed countries’ share of global exports

    17.12

    Realize timely implementation of duty-free and quota-free market access on a lasting basis for all least developed countries, consistent with World Trade Organization decisions, including by ensuring that preferential rules of origin applicable to imports from least developed countries are transparent and simple, and contribute to facilitating market access

    17.12.1

    Weighted average tariffs faced by developing countries, least developed countries and small island developing States

    17.13

    Enhance global macroeconomic stability, including through policy coordination and policy coherence

    17.13.1
    Macroeconomic Dashboard

    17.14

    Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development

    17.14.1
    Number of countries with mechanisms in place to enhance policy coherence of sustainable development

    17.15

    Respect each country’s policy space and leadership to establish and implement policies for poverty eradication and sustainable development 

    17.15.1
    Extent of use of country-owned results frameworks and planning tools by providers of development cooperation

    17.16

    Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in all countries, in particular developing countries

    17.16.1

    Number of countries reporting progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks that support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals

    17.17

    Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships 

    17.17.1

    Amount in United States dollars committed to public-private partnerships for infrastructure

    17.18

    By 2020, enhance capacity-building support to developing countries, including for least developed countries and small island developing States, to increase significantly the availability of high-quality, timely and reliable data disaggregated by income, gender, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability, geographic location and other characteristics relevant in national contexts

    17.18.1

    Statistical capacity indicators

    17.18.2
    Number of countries that have national statistical legislation that complies with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics
    17.18.3

    Number of countries with a national statistical plan that is fully funded and under implementation, by source of funding

    17.19

    By 2030, build on existing initiatives to develop measurements of progress on sustainable development that complement gross domestic product, and support statistical capacity-building in developing countries

    17.19.1
    Dollar value of all resources made available to strengthen statistical capacity in developing countries
    17.19.2

    Proportion of countries that (a) have conducted at least one population and housing census in the last 10 years; and (b) have achieved 100 per cent birth registration and 80 per cent death registration

    Name Description
    14.1 By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
    14.2 By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
    14.3 Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
    14.5 By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
    17.14 Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development
    1) Maintain state investments in ocean acidification actions, including scientific monitoring, research and forecasting of ocean acidification conditions. Final deliverable: two year (23-25) state budget effective July 2023.
    2) Reduce local nutrients from wastewater plants in Puget Sound through 5 year permit implementation: 2022-2027
    3) Create communications and reporting products for each of the major action plan areas. Develop products that synthesize and provide data to resource managers. Final deliverable: communications products and science syntheses.
    4) Coordinate and partner with others to advance OA work regionally and, including establishing state and regional indicators and associated products and participation at climate and ocean conferences and events.
    Financing (in USD)
    Maintain significant state investment (estimated $5M USD) in state's 23-25 budget for continued ocean acidification action, including scientific monitoring, research and forecasting of ocean acidification conditions.
    Other, please specify
    Implement nutrient general permit for wastewater treatment plants - maintain funding, legal, policy and scientific expertise to support implementation.
    Staff / Technical expertise
    Leverage existing subject matter expertise to develop communication and outreach products and assist with outreach strategies and processes.
    In-kind contribution
    Participate in regional symposia with other OA Councils to share lessons learned and advance work on OA indicators and blue carbon sequestration potential (October 2023). Participate in COP27 and other efforts around ocean climate dialogue.
    No progress reports have been submitted. Please sign in and click here to submit one.
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    Timeline
    01 June 2022 (start date)
    01 January 2027 (date of completion)
    Entity
    Washington State (Government) and Marine Resources Advisory Council (Partnership)
    SDGs
    Other beneficiaries
    Washington State’s actions to reduce causes of ocean acidification and build adaptive capacity has positive benefits to a broad range of people - directly affected industries such as shellfish growers and crab fishers, natural resource managers, tribes, the public, and the marine ecosystem itself. Those who rely on a healthy marine ecosystem for their livelihoods, their food, their culture, and their overall well-being have strategies to improve their resilience and adaptive capacity. It benefits the resource managers (state, tribal, federal) that have opportunities to employ other strategies to reduce causes of ocean acidification or build greater resiliency for the marine ecosystem. This work also benefits the broad array of marine species who face displacement, population decline, or extinction. Our work also benefits a wide range of other governments and entities around the globe who are grappling with how to address ocean acidification through partnerships such as the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification and Pacific Coast Collaborative.
    Ocean Basins
    North Pacific
    Communities of Ocean Action
    Ocean acidification
    More information
    Countries
    United States of America
    United States of America
    Headquarters
    Olympia, United States of America
    Contact Information

    Jennifer, Special Assistant to the Director, Washington State Department of Ecology