Embrace ‘blue’ foods as a climate strategy at COP30, fisheries ministers say (commentary) – Mongabay

Report on the Role of Aquatic Foods in Climate Strategy and Sustainable Development

Executive Summary

The aquatic foods sector, often referred to as “blue foods,” presents a significant but frequently overlooked opportunity for climate change mitigation and adaptation. This report outlines the potential of blue foods to contribute to global environmental and food security objectives, with a particular focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Analysis of initiatives by Brazil and Portugal illustrates actionable strategies for integrating blue foods into national and international policy frameworks. A call to action is issued for greater global cooperation to harness the sector’s potential in advance of COP30 and beyond.

Contribution of Blue Foods to Sustainable Development Goals

The production and consumption of blue foods offer multifaceted benefits that align directly with several key SDGs. The sector’s low environmental footprint and high nutritional value make it a critical component of sustainable global food systems.

SDG 13: Climate Action

The blue food sector is a powerful tool for climate mitigation and adaptation.

• Low Emissions: Many forms of aquatic food production generate minimal greenhouse gas emissions and require modest inputs of land, feed, and freshwater compared to terrestrial livestock.
• Carbon Reduction Potential: Increased consumption of blue foods could reduce global CO₂ emissions by as much as 1.06 gigatons annually by 2050.
• Policy Integration: Despite these benefits, over one-third of countries have not included blue foods in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) or National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), representing a missed opportunity for climate action.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger and SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

Blue foods are integral to achieving global food and nutrition security.

• Nutritional Value: Aquatic foods are rich sources of protein and essential micronutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, and vitamin B12.
• Combating Malnutrition: These nutrients are crucial for addressing malnutrition, which affects over two billion people worldwide, thereby contributing to improved public health outcomes.

SDG 14: Life Below Water and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Sustainable management of the blue food sector is essential for marine ecosystems and coastal economies.

• Livelihoods: The sector supports millions of livelihoods globally, as exemplified in Brazil where it sustains over three million people.
• Sustainable Practices: Promoting sustainable aquaculture and fisheries management, including the reform of Regional Fishery Management Organizations and the establishment of marine protected areas, is vital for conserving marine biodiversity and ensuring the long-term economic viability of the sector.

National Strategies and International Cooperation

Case Study: Brazil’s Integrated Approach

Brazil provides a model for developing nations on leveraging blue foods for sustainable development.

1. Integrated Systems: Implementation of combined aquaculture and agroforestry systems.
2. Community Management: Successful community-led management of key species like the Amazonian pirarucu.
3. Technological Innovation: Development of new technologies for tropical fish, seaweed aquaculture, and shrimp farming in salinized inland regions.
4. Balancing Production: Strategically balancing terrestrial and aquatic food production to advance food security (SDG 2) and promote the sustainable use of natural resources (SDG 12).

Case Study: Portugal’s Policy and Governance Leadership

Portugal is championing the integration of blue foods into high-level international policy frameworks.

1. International Workplan: Advancing a workplan within the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy to form cross-sectoral coalitions.
2. Governance Reform: Guiding the reform of Regional Fishery Management Organizations to strengthen the governance of shared marine resources (SDG 14).
3. National Implementation: Defining its marine protected area network in collaboration with fishing communities and implementing campaigns to reduce marine plastic pollution from fishing gear.

Recommendations and Global Call to Action

To fully realize the potential of blue foods, a concerted global effort is required. Brazil and Portugal advocate for increased international commitment to integrate the blue food sector into climate and food security strategies. The upcoming COP30 climate conference presents a critical opportunity for nations to adopt best practices.

Recommended Actions for Nations:

• Incorporate blue food strategies into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) to meet climate targets (SDG 13).
• Map the emissions and nutritional contributions of national blue food sectors to identify opportunities for transitioning to low-impact species and technologies (SDG 12).
• Reform financial assistance that incentivizes overfishing or high-emission aquaculture, redirecting funds toward sustainable feed, renewable energy, and habitat restoration (SDG 14).
• Strengthen international partnerships (SDG 17) to share knowledge and best practices for harnessing and safeguarding blue foods for climate mitigation and adaptation.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  The article emphasizes the role of “blue foods” in providing essential nutrients and protein, directly addressing food security and combating malnutrition, which it states affects over two billion people worldwide.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article connects the aquatic foods sector to economic livelihoods, mentioning that in Brazil, it supports “more than three million livelihoods.” This highlights the sector’s importance for employment and economic stability.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The article advocates for shifting towards blue foods as a more sustainable source of protein with a “smaller environmental footprint,” which aligns with the goal of promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  This is a central theme. The article presents blue foods as a “climate strategy,” detailing their potential to cut global CO₂ emissions and calling for their integration into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  The entire article focuses on the sustainable use of aquatic resources. It discusses sustainable fisheries management, reducing marine pollution (retrieving plastic gear), protecting marine ecosystems through protected areas, and reforming policies that incentivize overfishing.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article is an op-ed co-authored by ministers from Brazil and Portugal, showcasing bilateral cooperation. It calls for more countries to join their efforts at global forums like COP30 and mentions the involvement of international bodies such as the Green Climate Fund and the Global Environment Facility.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
  • Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round. The article supports this by highlighting that blue foods provide “rich sources of protein and essential micronutrients, such as vitamin B12, iron, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids that are crucial for combating malnutrition.”
  • Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices. The article discusses “community-led management of Amazonian pirarucu,” “seaweed aquaculture,” and integrating “aquaculture and agroforestry systems” as examples of sustainable and resilient practices.
• SDG 13: Climate Action
  • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. The article mentions initiatives to “support fisherfolks’ adaptive responses to climate change.”
  • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The article explicitly criticizes that “more than one third of countries” have not included blue foods in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), calling for their integration.
• SDG 14: Life Below Water
  • Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds. The article provides a direct example of Portugal carrying out “a campaign to retrieve plastic-based fishery gear from the sea and reduce marine pollution.”
  • Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts. Portugal’s effort in “advancing the definition of its marine protected areas network with fishing communities” directly relates to this target.
  • Target 14.4: By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices. The article calls on countries to “reform financial assistance that incentivizes overfishing” and supports the “reform of Regional Fishery Management Organizations to strengthen governance.”
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
  • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships. The joint op-ed by ministers from Brazil and Portugal, who “stand ready to champion global efforts,” is a clear example of a partnership to achieve shared goals.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For SDG 2 (Zero Hunger):
  • Indicator (Implied): Prevalence of malnutrition. The article provides a baseline by stating that malnutrition “affects more than two billion people worldwide.” Progress could be measured by a reduction in this number through improved nutrition from sources like blue foods.
  • Indicator (Implied): Per capita food consumption. The article provides consumption data, such as “Portugal ranks third in the world and first in the EU for per capita fish and seafood consumption,” and in the Amazon, consumption reaches “as much as 800 grams per day.” These figures can be used as benchmarks.
• For SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):
  • Indicator (Mentioned): Number of people employed in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. The article explicitly states that in Brazil, “aquatic foods support more than three million livelihoods.” This is a direct quantitative indicator.
• For SDG 13 (Climate Action):
  • Indicator (Mentioned): Amount of greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The article quantifies the potential impact, stating that “global CO₂ emissions could be cut by up to 1.06 gigatons each year by 2050.”
  • Indicator (Mentioned): Number of countries with nationally determined contributions (NDCs) that include the blue food sector. The article provides a baseline metric: “more than one third of countries have not” included blue foods in their NDCs, implying that an increase in this number would indicate progress.
• For SDG 14 (Life Below Water):
  • Indicator (Implied): Amount of harmful subsidies redirected. The article suggests countries can “reform financial assistance that incentivizes overfishing… and redirect them toward sustainable feed, renewable energy use, and habitat restoration.” Measuring the value of redirected funds would be an indicator.
  • Indicator (Implied): Coverage of marine protected areas. Portugal’s work on its “marine protected areas network” implies that the percentage of territorial waters covered by MPAs is a key metric for progress.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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