PML at the UN Climate Change Meeting COP31

This high-level session builds directly on the critical mandates established during the 2026 Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue. It aligns with emerging UNFCCC COP31 priorities to elevate ocean-based climate action as a cross-cutting global priority. As we enter the ocean implementation era, our focus must shift from political ambition to concrete delivery by embedding the ocean-climate-biodiversity nexus into national climate strategies. Our distinguished panel will explore the collaborative frameworks, financial mechanisms, and policy tools needed to turn cross-convention synergies into measurable action on the ground. Bringing together voices from governments and civil society, this event maps out what lies ahead for the ocean community at COP31. This event provides an essential preview of the summit’s broader ocean agenda and an inside look at both the physical Ocean Pavilion and the Virtual Ocean Pavilion programs

Earth Information Day (EID), held annually, provides a platform for Parties to engage with the systematic observation community to share and discuss latest information on the state of the global climate system including observed trends and future projections to inform work under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement. Earth observation networks, including in-situ and satellite-based, provide relevant data for understanding the changing climate and
associated risks, predictions and forecasting, and supporting other critical climate services such as early warning systems (EWS). EID also serves to highlight advances and gaps in closing observation gaps, enhancing systematic observations, advancing related initiatives, and strengthening international cooperation.

The session follows climate risk from the Himalayas and the Arctic down to coasts and small island states. It covers vulnerability, disaster risk reduction and early warning, and adaptation finance. Organised by the Ocean Policy Research Institute, Sasakawa Peace Foundation (OPRI SPF), Japan.

Who from PML: Professor Matt Frost

The ocean economy is projected to reach $5.1 trillion by 2050, but to realise this potential, ocean-dependent growth must be resilient, sustainable and evidence-based. Climate change poses a growing risk to ocean ecosystems, coastal communities and wider society. Delivering effective ocean-climate action requires sustained collaboration across science, finance, industry and governance. This session will take a multinational, multi-sectoral approach, including perspectives from the Global South, to examine how environmental intelligence, innovative finance, cross-sector partnerships and international cooperation can be leveraged to support a sustainable ocean economy. Through panel discussion and audience participation, pathways will be identified to accelerate the translation of knowledge into policy, unlock public and private investment, and enable action that supports delivery of global climate commitments.

This event is organised in partnership with BNP Paribas, BIMCO and the World Association of Marine Stations (WAMS)

Who from PML: Professor Matt Frost (Moderator) and  Thecla Keizer (co-organizer)

Co-organized by CABEI and TaiwanICDF, this session will bring together multilateral development banks and financial institutions working across different regions to exchange experiences and explore how financing, technical assistance and partnerships can help cities address climate risks and implement sustainable urban solutions.

Who from PML: Professor Matt Frost (Moderator)

The ocean does not operate in silos – yet our governance systems often do. Despite the adoption of an “Ocean Constitution” in Montego Bay, as early as 1982, there remains no dedicated space for the international community to address ocean issues in a truly holistic and integrated manner. In this context, strengthening synergies across frameworks will be essential to enhance policy coherence, optimise resources, and improve overall impact. The entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement earlier this year marked a new chapter for ocean protection, reaffirming the value of multilateralism and collective action. The new agreement could create momentum for greater synergies, especially since its effective implementation depends on cooperation with relevant frameworks and bodies. This side-event will reflect on potential pathways to move from fragmentation to integration, exploring how the UNFCCC, CBD, and BBNJ Agreement can work together to deliver more ambitious and effective ocean action.

PML is a co-organiser of this event organised by the Blue Marine Foundation, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, French Office for Biodiversity, High Seas Alliance, Ifremer, Marviva, MedPAN and the Ocean & Climate Platform.

Cryosphere loss is accelerating risks of crossing tipping points in polar regions, with global impacts like sea-level rise and major ocean current slowdown. Ministers and leading scientists will discuss how policymakers can both avert, and respond to growing and high-impact risks from overshoot.

Speakers: Iceland’s Minister Johansson and other Nordic Council ministers and senior officials from Australia, New Zealand and Ambition on Melting Ice governments; senior UN officials, Indigenous and Youth leaders; Dr. Johan Rockström, Dr. Stefan Rahmstorf; Dr. Bill Hare

Who from PML: Professor Helen Findlay was a Contributing Author of the ‘Overshoot and the Cryosphere: Averting Global Meltdown. The Implications of Temperature Overshoot, Peak and Decline for the Cryosphere‘ report produced by the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative (ICCI) in coordination with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in addition to a Scientific Reviewer of the State of the Cryosphere 2026: The Cost of Overshoot by the ICCI, reviewed and supported by over 50 leading cryosphere scientists, this is the latest report in the State of the Cryosphere series, which takes the pulse of the cryosphere on an annual basis. 

These publications are relevant to this event which is co-organised by Iceland, the Climate Policy Center (CPC), the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative (ICCI), Karuna Foundation, the Nordic Council of Ministers (NCM) and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR).

Climate change is increasingly affecting ocean ecosystems & coastal communities, with implications for the ocean’s ability to support adaptation & mitigation. We will showcase finance, governance, science & adaptation examples that can accelerate implementation & strengthen UNFCCC ocean integration.

This is an official side event of the COP31 and as such part of its programme. These official side events are a platform for admitted observer organizations to engage with Parties and other participants for knowledge sharing, capacity building, networking, and exploring actionable options for meeting the climate challenge.

Who from PML: Dr Olivia Rendon (speaker) and Thecla Keizer (co-organizer)

In collaboration with: Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean Society (POGO), and the Global Ocean Forum.