How the ocean ‘entered the conversation’ at COP30 – Dialogue Earth

Report on the Integration of Ocean-Related Issues in Climate Negotiations at COP30

Executive Summary

A review of the COP30 climate conference held in Belém, Brazil, indicates a significant elevation of the ocean’s role in global climate discussions. This development aligns with the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action) and Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water). High-level statements from global leaders, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, underscored the moral and economic imperative of protecting marine ecosystems. However, a notable disparity persists between this increased rhetorical focus and the allocation of financial resources for ocean-based climate solutions.

Advancements in Ocean-Centric Climate Policy and Commitments

Increased Recognition in International Climate Frameworks

The COP30 summit marked a turning point for the inclusion of marine issues in climate policy, a stark contrast to the 2015 Paris Agreement, which did not explicitly mention the ocean. This increased integration is a critical step toward achieving SDG 14.

• The world leaders’ summit at COP30 featured a specific ocean theme for the first time.
• A high-level ministerial meeting was dedicated exclusively to oceans, a COP first.
• The UN special envoy for oceans was the sole envoy to address the summit, signaling a prioritized focus.

National Pledges and the Blue NDC Challenge

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted ahead of COP30 reflect this growing awareness. Analysis indicates a fourfold increase in ocean-related mentions compared to 2017 NDCs. Furthermore, a study found that 92% of submitted NDCs from coastal and island nations now include ocean-related climate actions, directly supporting SDG 13 and SDG 14 targets. However, many pledges prioritize conservation over the phasing out of fossil fuels, a key driver of ocean warming and acidification.

To bolster these commitments and foster international cooperation in line with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), the Blue NDC Challenge expanded its membership.

1. Founding Nations: Australia, Brazil, Chile, Fiji, France, Kenya, Madagascar, Mexico, Palau, the Seychelles, and the United Kingdom.
2. New Signatories at COP30: Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, Indonesia, Portugal, and Singapore.

A joint task force announced by Brazil and France will provide technical and financial assistance to help nations deliver on these ocean-centric NDC targets.

Financial Gaps and Implementation Challenges

Disparity Between Ocean Potential and Climate Finance

Despite the ocean’s potential to provide up to 35% of the necessary emissions reductions to meet the 1.5°C target, it receives a disproportionately small amount of funding. This financial shortfall presents a significant barrier to achieving SDG 14.

• It is estimated that only 1% of all climate finance is directed toward ocean-based projects.
• While NDCs are intended as investment plans, the increase in ocean-related commitments has not yet translated into a corresponding increase in financial flows.

Emerging Financial Initiatives

Several initiatives were discussed at COP30 to address this funding gap and support a sustainable blue economy, which is crucial for SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

• The One Ocean Partnership announced a plan to mobilize USD 20 billion by 2030 for the blue economy and the conservation of marine ecosystems like mangroves.
• Discussions were held regarding the potential establishment of a dedicated ocean fund at COP31, though no concrete agreement was reached.

Host Nation Scrutiny and Future Outlook

Brazil’s Contradictory Stance on Ocean Policy

As the host nation, Brazil’s environmental policies were under intense scrutiny. While the government has demonstrated leadership by promoting the Blue NDC Challenge and pledging to sustainably manage 100% of its national waters by 2030, these actions conflict with its domestic energy policy. The decision to approve new fossil fuel exploration at the mouth of the Amazon River was heavily criticized by environmental and Indigenous groups as fundamentally undermining SDG 13 and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by perpetuating reliance on fossil fuels.

Prospects for a ‘Blue COP’

There was considerable disappointment among ocean advocates and Pacific nations that the bid to host COP31 in Australia, envisioned as a “Pacific COP,” was unsuccessful, with the conference awarded to Turkey instead. This was seen as a missed opportunity to center the climate discussion on the nations most vulnerable to sea-level rise and other ocean-related climate impacts. Despite this, the appointment of Australia as “president of negotiations” offers cautious optimism that ocean issues, central to SDG 14, will remain a high priority. The consensus among observers is that while COP30 represented progress, a future “Blue COP” with the ocean at its core is essential to accelerate action and secure the necessary financing to protect marine life and coastal communities.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

The article primarily addresses issues related to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 13: Climate Action – The entire article is framed around the COP30 climate conference and discusses actions to combat climate change and its impacts, particularly on the ocean. It highlights the integration of ocean-based solutions into national climate plans (NDCs).
• SDG 14: Life Below Water – This is the central theme, focusing on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean. The article discusses threats to the ocean from climate change (“warming, acidifying and rising”), the need for habitat protection (mangroves, seagrass), and international efforts to place the ocean at the center of climate policy.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article emphasizes the importance of global cooperation to address ocean and climate issues. It details partnerships like the “Blue NDC Challenge” launched by Brazil and France, the “One Ocean Partnership,” and the collaborative nature of the COP conferences involving governments, NGOs, and researchers.
• SDG 15: Life on Land – Although a secondary focus, this SDG is relevant through the repeated mention of protecting forests alongside oceans. Specifically, the article refers to the conservation of mangroves, which are critical coastal forest ecosystems that bridge land and sea.

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

Based on the article’s discussion, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

• Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
  • Explanation: The article extensively discusses how nations are increasingly including ocean-related actions in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). It notes that “92% of the NDCs so far submitted by coastal and island countries included ocean-related climate actions,” which is a direct implementation of this target. The “Blue NDC Challenge” further encourages this integration.
• Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts… and take action for their restoration.
  • Explanation: The article highlights that many national pledges focus on “conservation measures and habitat protection,” specifically mentioning “vulnerable habitats and ecosystems such as seagrass meadows and mangroves.” Furthermore, Brazil’s promise to “sustainably manage 100% of its waters by 2030” directly aligns with this target.
• Target 14.c: Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law…
  • Explanation: The context of the COP30 conference, an international forum for climate action, and the reference to the Paris Agreement, which lacked the word “ocean,” underscore the ongoing effort to strengthen international frameworks for ocean protection within climate law and policy.
• Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships…
  • Explanation: The article describes multiple partnerships. The “Blue NDC Challenge” launched by Brazil and France, which grew to 17 nations, is a prime example. The “One Ocean Partnership” is another multi-stakeholder initiative mentioned, aiming to mobilize finance for the blue economy.
• Target 17.3 (related to finance): Mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries from multiple sources.
  • Explanation: The article points to a major gap in funding, stating that “only around 1% of climate finance is estimated to go to ocean projects.” It also discusses efforts to address this, such as the “One Ocean Partnership” planning to “bring together USD 20 billion” and the hope of setting up a “dedicated ocean fund at COP31.”

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

Yes, the article mentions or implies several quantitative and qualitative indicators:

• Indicator for Target 13.2: The number and proportion of countries including ocean-based actions in their NDCs.
  • Evidence from the article: The text provides specific data points: “92% of the NDCs so far submitted by coastal and island countries included ocean-related climate actions,” a significant increase from “62% that did in 2015.” It also notes a four-fold increase in the mention of “ocean” in NDCs since 2017.
• Indicator for Target 14.2: The percentage of a country’s marine areas under sustainable management.
  • Evidence from the article: Brazil’s pledge provides a clear, measurable goal: to “sustainably manage 100% of its waters by 2030.” Progress can be tracked against this 100% target.
• Indicator for Target 17.16: The number of countries and stakeholders participating in global partnerships for the ocean.
  • Evidence from the article: The growth of the “Blue NDC Challenge” is a measurable indicator. The article states that “six countries joined… in Belém, taking the total number to 17.”
• Indicator for Target 17.3 (Finance): The amount of financial resources mobilized for ocean-related projects.
  • Evidence from the article: The article provides a baseline (“only around 1% of climate finance is estimated to go to ocean projects”) and a future target from a specific partnership (the “One Ocean Partnership” plans to bring together “USD 20 billion… by 2030”). These figures can be used to measure progress in ocean finance.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: dialogue.earth