The ocean plays a crucial role in regulating Earth's climate and is central to our global response to climate change, as highlighted in the IPCC's Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate. The ocean, covering 71% of Earth's surface and containing 97% of its water, has absorbed about 90% of the excess heat generated by greenhouse gas emissions and 25% of carbon dioxide emissions. While these processes have mitigated some effects of climate change, they have also led to significant challenges, including ocean warming, acidification, and sea level rise. These changes endanger marine life and coastal communities, where 680 million people currently live—a figure projected to exceed 1 billion by 2050. Protecting the ocean is essential for climate stability, marine biodiversity, and the well-being of coastal populations.
The ocean under the Convention and Paris Agreement
Parties have explicitly recognized the crucial role of the ocean and its ecosystems in both the Convention and the Paris Agreement. In the Convention, in Article 2, Parties agreed to protect the climate system, defined in Article 1.3, as the totality of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and geosphere and their interactions. Further, Article 4(d) of the Convention specifically calls for the promotion of sustainable management practices for these vital carbon sinks. In the Preamble of the Paris Agreement, Parties noted the importance of ensuring the integrity of all ecosystems, including oceans, and the protection of biodiversity, recognized by some cultures as Mother Earth.
Status of the Ocean under the UNFCCC process
The recognition of the ocean's critical role in climate action under the UNFCCC has evolved significantly. At COP 25, the Chile Madrid Time for Action 2019, governments recognized the need to strengthen the understanding of, and action on, ocean and climate change under the UNFCCC.
At COP 26, in the Glasgow Climate Pact 2021, Parties invited the relevant work programmes and constituted bodies under the UNFCCC to consider how to integrate and strengthen ocean-based action in their existing mandates and workplans and to report on these activities within the existing reporting processes.
At COP 27 in 2022, Parties were encouraged to integrate ocean-based actions into their national climate goals, including the nationally determined contributions (Decision 1/CP.27 para. 50 and Decision 1/CMA.4 para. 79). A key outcome was the establishment of facilitated annual ocean and climate change dialogues. The COP27 Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan mandates that these dialogues be led by two co-facilitators, biennially selected by the Parties who decide on the two topics based on consultations with Parties and observers, conduct the dialogue, and prepare a summary report to present at COP. Mr. Julio Cordano (Chile), and Niall O'Dea (Canada) are the ocean and climate dialogue co-facilitators for the biennium 2023-24.
These dialogues have since become crucial platforms for exchanging knowledge, highlighting efforts, and enhancing collective ocean-based climate action. The first facilitated ocean dialogue was held during SBSTA 58, and more than 250 case studies and good practices were discussed over a course of 2 days by Parties and observers. The two topics addressed were: first, coastal ecosystem restoration, including blue carbon and second, fisheries and food security. In the outcome of the first global stocktake, Parties welcomed the outcomes of and the informal summary report of the 2023 dialogue, encouraging further strengthening of ocean-based action where appropriate.
The 2024 ocean dialogue, held during SBSTA 60, focused on the topics of marine biodiversity conservation and coastal resilience, and technology needs for ocean climate action, including finance links. Around 400 representatives from Parties and observers attended the dialogue, sharing more than 300 case studies and good practices. Read the informal summary report of the 2024 Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue here. Read the article on the publication of the 2024 informal summary report and the key messages here.
The dialogue aims to be a multi-year exercise, that builds knowledge in relevant topics on the ocean and climate change, and on previous years’ experience, inputs and the 2023, 2022, 2020 informal summary reports.
For further information on ocean related matters, please contact: ocean@unfccc.int
The outcome of the first global stocktake (Decision 1/CMA.5), welcomed the outcomes of and the informal summary report on the 2023 ocean dialogue and encouraged further strengthening of ocean-based action, as appropriate (para. 180).
In the outcome of the first global stocktake, Parties noted in the preamble the importance of ensuring the integrity of all ecosystems, including in forests, the ocean, mountains and the cryosphere, and the protection of biodiversity, recognized by some cultures as Mother Earth including the ocean.
The outcome of the first global stocktake invites Parties to preserve and restore oceans and coastal ecosystems and scale up, as appropriate, ocean-based mitigation action (para. 35). Further, Parties note that ecosystem-based approaches, including ocean-based adaptation and resilience measures, can reduce a range of climate change risks and provide multiple co-benefits (para. 56).
The outcome of the first global stocktake, encourages the implementation of integrated, multi-sectoral solutions, such as nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches, and protecting, conserving and restoring nature and ecosystems, including marine and coastal ecosystems, which may offer economic, social and environmental benefits such as improved resilience and well-being (para.55).
In accordance with decision 2/CMA.5 on the Global goal on adaptation, the outcome of the first global stocktake urges Parties and invites non-Party stakeholders to increase ambition and enhance adaptation action and support, in order to accelerate swift action at scale and at all levels, from local to global, in alignment with other global frameworks, towards the achievement of, inter alia, the target by 2030 and progressively beyond, of reducing climate impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity and accelerating the use of ecosystem-based adaptation and nature-based solutions, including through their management, enhancement, restoration and conservation and the protection of terrestrial, inland water, mountain, marine and coastal ecosystems (para 63 (d)).
- Encouraged Parties to consider, as appropriate, ocean-based action in their national climate goals and in the implementation of these goals, including but not limited to nationally determined contributions, long-term strategies and adaptation communications (1/CP.27 para 46 and 1/CMA.4 para 79)
The COP, under which the ocean dialogue is mandated, also:
- Welcomed the outcomes of and key messages from the ocean and climate change dialogue 2022 and decided that future dialogues will, from 2023, be facilitated by two co-facilitators, selected by Parties biennially, who will be responsible for deciding the topics for and conducting the dialogue, in consultation with Parties and observers, and preparing an informal summary report to be presented in conjunction with the subsequent session of the Conference of the Parties.
At COP 26, in the Glasgow Climate Pact 2021, building on the outcomes of the first ocean and climate change dialogue, governments permanently anchored the inclusion of strengthened ocean-based action under the UNFCCC multilateral process. Parties:
- Noted the importance of ensuring the integrity of all ecosystems, including forests, the ocean and the cryosphere, and the protection of biodiversity (preamble);
- Emphasized the importance of protecting, conserving and restoring nature and ecosystems, including forests and other terrestrial and marine ecosystems, to achieve the long-term global goal of the Convention by acting as sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases and protecting biodiversity, while ensuring social and environmental safeguards (para 2);
- Recognized the importance of protecting, conserving and restoring ecosystems to deliver crucial services, including acting as sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases, reducing vulnerability to climate change impacts and supporting sustainable livelihoods, including for indigenous peoples and local communities (para 50);
- Invited the relevant work programmes and constituted bodies under the UNFCCC to consider how to integrate and strengthen ocean-based action in their existing mandates and workplans and to report on these activities within the existing reporting processes, as appropriate (para 60);
- Invited the SBSTA Chair to hold an annual Ocean and climate change dialogue, and prepare an informal summary report that is made available to the COP at each subsequent session (para 61).
The COP 25 decision, titled the Chile Madrid Time for Action, included a strong recognition on how important the ocean is in the work towards combatting climate change. The decision:
Expresses its appreciation and gratitude to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the scientific community for providing the 2019 Special Reports, which reflect the best available science, and encourages Parties to continue to support the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (Paragraph 6)
Commends the efforts of the President of the Conference of the Parties at its twenty-fifth session to highlight the importance of the ocean, including as an integral part of the Earth’s climate system, and of ensuring the integrity of ocean and coastal ecosystems in the context of climate change (Paragraph 29)
Requests the Chair of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice to convene at its fifty-second session (June 2020) a dialogue on the ocean and climate change to consider how to strengthen mitigation and adaptation action in this context (Paragraph 30)
Invites Parties and non-Party stakeholders to submit inputs via the submission portal by 31 March 2020 to inform the dialogue (Paragraph 32)
Requests the Chair of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice to prepare an informal summary report on the dialogue (Paragraph 33).
Co-facilitators of the Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue
In accordance with decision 1/CP.27, the Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan, Parties decided that the annual ocean and climate change dialogue (“dialogue”) will, from 2023, be facilitated by two co-facilitators, selected by Parties biennially, who will be responsible for conducting the dialogue and preparing the informal summary report.
The Chair of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice, Adonia Ayebare, by his letter dated 24 January 2025, informed that Parties have selected the two co-facilitators for the biennium 2025-26 dialogue. Developed country Parties have selected Ulrik Lenaerts from Belgium. Developing country Parties have selected two co-facilitators who will be co-facilitating the dialogue on a rotational basis, starting with Carlos Márcio Bicalho Cozendey from Brazil in 2025, and Sivendra Michael from Fiji in 2026.
Credit: Ulrik Lenaerts
Ulrik Lenaerts
Ulrik Lenaerts is the Belgium deputy head of delegation to UNFCCC. He has been active in climate negotiations since fifteen years. Within the EU he chairs the expert work on cross-cutting issues which includes ocean and climate, the climate action agenda, the global stocktake, legal and science issues. He negotiated on behalf of the EU inter alia the Katowice decision on the global stocktake, increasing the efficiency of the UNFCCC and ocean and climate. He is strongly engaged in strengthening synergies and cooperation between climate, ocean, biodiversity and sustainable development. He was nominated by the EU to facilitate the ocean and climate dialogue for the upcoming two years.
Credit: Carlos Márcio Bicalho Cozendey
Ambassador Carlos Márcio Bicalho Cozendey
Ambassador Carlos Márcio Bicalho Cozendey was born in Rio de Janeiro in 1963.
He joined the Diplomatic Career Preparatory Course (CPCD) at the Rio Branco Institute in 1985 and received his bachelor´s degree in Diplomacy from the same Institute (1985-1986). He also earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (1980-1984) and a master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Brasília (1990-1992).
He held the positions of Assistant and Advisor to the Trade Policy Division 1987-1992), Head of the Mercosur Division (1999-2003), Director of the Economic Department (2007-2010), Director of the Financial and Services Affairs Department (2015) and Undersecretary general for Economic and Financial Affairs (2015-2018). He also served as Special Advisor to the Foreign Commerce Chamber (CAMEX) Executive Secretariat (1998-1999) and as Secretary of International Affairs (2011-2014) at the Ministry of Finance.
On his first assignment abroad, he served at the Permanent Mission of Brazil to International Organizations in Geneva (1992-1995), and then at the Delegation of Brazil to the Latin American Integration Association (LAIA), in Montevideo (1995-1998). He was also Counselor at the Mission of Brazil to the European Communities, in Brussels (2003-2006). As an Ambassador, he was Delegate of Brazil to the International Economic Organizations in Paris (2018-2022).
He has been appointed Secretary of Multilateral Political Affairs since 27th February 2023.
Credit: Dr. Sivendra Michael
Dr. Sivendra Michael
Dr. Sivendra Michael, the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, has 14 years of experience in climate change adaptation, disaster risk management, and environmental management across the Asia-Pacific and Eastern African regions. He is a listed expert in the UN's Global Expert Roster, through which he has supported governments in Jordan, Malawi, and Tonga. He played a key role in Fiji’s recovery efforts following climate induced events in 2016 and 2021. Dr. Michael has worked with various organizations, such as British Council, ILO, WFP, and various universities, and also serves on numerous executive boards. In between 2021-2023, he served as G20 Advisors for the Global Solutions Initiative. He currently serves as the Pacific’s executive to the Climate Investment Fund and is Fijis focal point for Green Climate Fund and the Global Environment Facility. Dr. Michael holds a PhD in Development Economics, and a triple master’s in governance, Public Policy and Economics. He is widely recognized for his leadership and a reputable scholar with multiple publications in his field.
Insights from the 2024 ocean dialogue to drive climate ambition and finance
This side event reflected on the deliberations of the 2024 Ocean Dialogue to strengthen climate action and pave the way forward. It presented key messages from the summary report, heard from experts, and showcased progress made by Parties in increasing ocean-based climate ambition and finance.
Insights from the 2024 ocean dialogue to drive climate ambition and finance
Thursday 14 November 2024
Time: 11:30h–13:00h AZT/UTC +4
COP 29, Baku, Azerbaijan
Venue: Side Events Room 8
Chaired by the ocean dialogue co-facilitators Julio Cordano (Chile) and Niall O’Dea (Canada)
The co-facilitators presented on the key messages (Presentation)
11:50
Presentations by Parties and experts
This segment showcased the role of the ocean dialogue and its’ key messages in supporting Parties to drive national climate ambition and access to finance.
Ana Toni, National Secretary for Climate Change, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Brazil
Mari Sundli Tveit, Chief Executive, Research Council of Norway & President, Science Europe, Norway (Presentation)
Muhammad Yusuf, Director of Coastal and Small Islands Utilizations, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Indonesia (Presentation)
Elise Murphy, Director of Climate Inclusion and Intersectionality Policy, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia (Presentation)
Richard Mfumu Lungu, Member of the Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG)
Atika Ben Maid, Deputy Head of the Department of Climate and Nature , Agence Francaise de developpement (AFD) France
Rawleston Moore, Senior Climate Change Specialist and Multi-Lateral Environment Agreements Coordinator, Global Environment Facility (GEF)
12:30
Opportunity for Parties and NPS to make interventions
Guiding Question: What could be the possible outcomes for the ocean at COP29?
12:55
Closing
Exploring the climate, biodiversity, and the ocean nexus
This oceans day side event focused on the critical nexus between climate, biodiversity, and the ocean, advancing commitments to integrate ocean-based mitigation and adaptation measures into national climate strategies. The session examined Parties’ experiences in the development and implementation of ocean-based actions into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and NBSAPs. Drawing from insights at COP16 in Cali and the Ocean Dialogue 2024, participants explored pathways to align ocean-based mitigation and adaptation strategies, creating synergies across these frameworks to achieve climate and biodiversity objectives to strengthen ocean-based national climate ambition.
The UNFCCC secretariat has strengthened synergies across the UN system to strengthen ocean-based climate action by its involvement in key UN initiatives.
The secretariat is an active member of UN-Oceans, an inter-agency mechanism led by the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea.
In accordance with the outcome of the first global stocktake to conserve, protect and restore marine ecosystems in line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and further strengthen ocean-climate-biodiversity synergies across the UN in line with the key messages of the 2024 ocean dialogue, the UNFCCC secretariat contributed to the UN-Ocean convened side event at COP16 in Cali, Colombia.
The secretariat participated in the UN-Oceans meeting on the BBNJ Agreement held at the principals level and endorsed the statement of commitments in relation to the Agreement.
The secretariat annually makes a written contribution to the annual report of the Secretary General on the Ocean and Law of the Sea on developments and issues relating to ocean affairs and the law of the sea.
The UNFCCC secretariat provided a written contribution to the draft outline for the Secretary-General’s background note for the preparatory meeting of the 2025 United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14.
The UNFCCC secretariat provided a written contribution to the theme “The ocean as a source of sustainable food” of the twenty-fourth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea.
The UNFCCC secretariat participated and engaged in a side event at COP 29 led by DOALAS. The co-facilitator of the Ocean Dialogue 2023/24, Niall O'Dea, delivered a keynote address and UNFCCC Director Cecilia Kinuthia-Njenga moderated the event.
