PML Joins Global Call for Enhanced Protection and Restoration of Blue Carbon Ecosystems at UNOC3 

Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) is part of a global research programme calling for greater commitment to the protection and restoration of blue carbon ecosystems. 

The statement from GO-BC was delivered at the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice calling for blue carbon ecosystems to feature with greater emphasis as nature-based solutions in climate change adaptation and coastal management planning. 

Professor Ana Queirós serves as a member of the Science Technical Working Group of GO-BC which brings together Blue Carbon experts from across the globe to help guide and shape new scientific research in coastal Blue Carbon ecosystems 

The intervention highlighted the wide-ranging value of blue carbon ecosystems, which play essential roles in maintaining global biodiversity, providing critical habitats for commercially valuable fish species, and supporting the livelihoods and cultural heritage of coastal communities worldwide. 

Provided on June 12th as part of the Ocean Action Panel 7 on “Leveraging Ocean, Climate and Biodiversity Interlinkages,” and delivered by Prof William Austin from the University of St Andrews (GO-BC programme lead) the statement reads: 

“Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to Ocean Action Panel 7; I am delivering this intervention on behalf of the UN Ocean Decade Programme for Blue Carbon (GO-BC). 

Current guidance from the IPCC supports direct Ocean Action through the reporting of climate change mitigation from Blue Carbon Ecosystems. Mindful of the scope for their inclusion in Nationally Determined Contributions, National Adaptation Plans and National Biodiversity Strategies.  

We request greater commitment to the protection and restoration of blue carbon ecosystems that recognizes their removal and degradation globally. While we welcome the call for more research (Section III A, point 25), the current text may be a barrier to parties implementing conservation and restoration of natural blue carbon ecosystems as a low risk, low to moderate cost action that addresses the central aspirations of this panel.  

We also want to emphasize that Coastal Wetlands offer important natural climate change adaptation services – they act as ecosystem engineers, delivering coastal protection to millions of the most vulnerable people on this planet. They support global biodiversity, act as nursery grounds for commercially important fisheries, and sustain local economies and cultures.  

In the face of ongoing and accelerating global sea level rise (Section II A) we therefore call for blue carbon ecosystems to feature with greater emphasis as Nature-based Solutions in climate change adaptation and coastal management planning (Section III B). 

GO-BC commits to support any party seeking independent blue carbon scientific advice and we recommend that all parties develop a national blue carbon roadmap towards achieving mitigation and adaptation objectives.” 

The statement comes at a critical time when the international community is seeking effective, cost-efficient solutions to address climate change while protecting vulnerable coastal communities and marine biodiversity. 

Professor Ana Queirós commented: “Blue carbon ecosystems represent one of our most powerful natural allies in the fight against climate change.  

These ecosystems not only serve as home to high coastal biodiversity; they sequester carbon and provide vital protection for millions of people living in vulnerable coastal areas, from challenges exacerbated by climate change such as coastal erosion.  

Through GO-BC, we’re working to ensure that the latest scientific understanding translates into effective policy action that recognises the full value of these remarkable ecosystems. 

One of our aims has been to improve the understanding of blue carbon as a more holistic service provided by ocean habitat, within and beyond coastal wetlands”