Voluntary Commitment on ocean acidification: OSPAR
The OSPAR Commission for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic
(
Intergovernmental organization
)
#OceanAction46914
Description
OSPAR’s North-East Atlantic Environment Strategy 2030 commits the OSPAR Commission to take measures to:
Raise awareness of climate change and ocean acidification by monitoring, analysing and communicating their effects; Facilitate adaptation to the impacts of climate change and ocean acidification by considering additional pressures when developing programmes, actions and measures; and Mitigate climate change and ocean acidification by contributing to global efforts, including by safeguarding the marine environment’s role as a natural carbon store.
OSPAR’s Intermediate Assessment (IA) 2017(1) addressed climate change and ocean acidification (OA)(2), presenting the current status, future trends and implications of acidification in the North-East Atlantic region and summarised evidence for OA. The IA2017 noted that OA is not identified in any of the assessments as a strong element of the changes in current status of the IA2017 common indicators, but also that in the wider scientific literature, complex responses to changing ocean pH have been found and are expected. This assessment identified knowledge gaps concerning direct and indirect effects of reduced pH on the marine ecosystem. OSPAR’s work highlights the need to make assessments of impacts based on cumulative effects and within the context of other drivers of change in the ecosystem.
Our Voluntary commitment to SDG 14.3
Building on the Intermediate Assessment 2017 climate change and ocean acidification chapter and work by the Joint OSPAR/ICES Study Group on Ocean Acidification(3) (SGOA) 2012-2014, OSPAR commits to taking forward this work, through the following actions:
a) OSPAR will further develop its regional monitoring and assessment programmes
The aim is for a coordinated observation programme, collecting data on OA variables, including; pH, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), alkalinity and temperature. Regional maps of OA parameters and trend analyses will be made using the results of monitoring and research programmes and other global initiatives. An assessment of OA will be important contributions to OSPAR’s next Quality Status Report (QSR) in 2023.
b) OSPAR commits to investigating the impacts on the marine environment from current and projected declines in pH.
This will include, for example, consideration of impacts on; marine protected areas (MPAs), pelagic and benthic habitats and the consequences of OA on sensitive species. OSPAR’s measures to protect species, habitats and ecosystems of the North-East Atlantic, for example through the designation of MPAs, can contribute to enhancing resilience of ecosystems/habitats that may be sensitive to climate change and OA.
c) OSPAR commits to collaboration with other regional organisations and scientific networks in its work on ocean acidification.
This includes in particular the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM)(4), the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP)(5), the Barcelona Convention(6) and the Cartagena Convention(7). OSPAR will also work co-operatively with other initiatives, in particular the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network(8) (GOA-ON) through its regional hubs in the North East Atlantic and the Arctic, to support and increase the quantity and quality of ocean acidification monitoring in the OSPAR Maritime Area.
Footnotes
(1) https://oap.ospar.org/en/ospar-assessments/intermediate-assessment-2017/
(3) Final Report to OSPAR of the Joint OSPAR/ICES Ocean Acidification Study Group (SGOA)
(6) http://web.unep.org/unepmap/
The OSPAR Commission for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic and its Contracting Parties.
SDGS & Targets
Goal 13
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
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
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
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
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
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
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
SDG 14 targets covered
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| 14.3 | Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels |
Deliverables & Timeline
ongoing and new comprehensive OA research programmes of OSPAR Contracting Parties, ICES, EU and other organisations
Develop the work plan on measuring, monitoring and analysing acidification variables (pH, DIC, pCO2, alkalinity, temperature) and research the OA assessment
OA assessment and case studies for the OSPAR Quality Status Report 2023
Develop ocean acidification assessment and monitoring strategy for OSPAR
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Dominic Pattinson, Executive Secretary