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PML researchers at COP25
03 December 2019
This year, the UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP25) has been named ‘the Blue COP’, prioritising the connection between the ocean and climate. Delegates are convening in Madrid over two weeks (2nd-13th December 2019), and PML scientists are taking part, as they have for the last decade, continuing to highlight the enormous role the ocean plays in sustaining life on Earth and the consequences of a high CO2 world for the ocean and society.
This event features the 25th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP25) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and is designed to guide the next crucial steps in the UN climate change process.
A key objective for this year is to complete several matters relating to the full operationalisation of the Paris Climate Change Agreement, for which implementation guidelines were agreed at COP24 in Poland last year. COP25 will take place under the Presidency of the Government of Chile with logistical support from the Spanish Government.
PML scientists will present, lead and partner in more than ten important ocean-focused events at COP25, several of which will be broadcast live. PML events will include special high-level addresses from Peter Thomson, UN Secretary General Special Envoy for the Ocean, Vladimir Ryabinin, Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and Assistant Director General of UNESCO, and government officials from Chile, the Seychelles and the UK.
PML is also one of the organisers of the Oceans Action Day at COP25, partnering with the EU Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (EU DG MARE) for the EU Ocean Day and leading an event on Polar Ocean Day in the Cryosphere Pavilion.
PML’s Head of Science for Sea and Society, Professor Melanie Austen, will focus on how healthy blue ecosystems support healthy blue communities, while Dr Ana Queirós, Senior Benthic Ecologist, will present on climate-ready marine spatial plans. Dr Helen Findlay, an Executive Council member of the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network (GOA-ON), will focus on polar ocean acidification as well as the GOA-ON North East Atlantic Hub, which is coordinated by PML.
Dr Carol Turley will cover the connections between ocean, climate and society, as well as the Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC), recently published by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), for which she was a Review Editor. Dr Marie-Fanny Racault, who is a lead author in the upcoming IPCC 6th Assessment Report, will focus on Satellite Earth Observation representing both PML and the National Centre for Earth Observation.
With the ocean experiencing substantial changes including ocean acidification, rising seawater temperature, ocean deoxygenation and sea level rise caused by increased greenhouse gas emissions, it is crucial that international decision-makers understand the consequences of a high CO2 world on ocean ecosystems and the people that depend on them.
You can find the schedule of PML events below.
Please note: All times were CET (Central European Time)
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Tuesday 3rd December WWF Pavilion, Hall 6 |
The Ocean, Climate and Biodiversity: the evidence is clear for raising ambition. Dr Carol Turley (PML) moderated this event and Prof Mel Austen (PML/GCRF Blue Communities) was a panelist with a talk entitled: ‘Healthy blue ecosystems support healthy blue communities’. |
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Tuesday 3rd December UK Pavilion, Hall 8 |
Earth Observation and Climate Change: A Critical Capability in Understanding Our Changing World |
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Wednesday 4th December UK Pavilion, Hall 8 |
The ocean, CO2 and society: challenges, opportunities and science responses for seas and society |
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Wednesday 4th December Room 4 |
Carbon Removal and Return – Can CCS Decarbonise Industry in South America and help the oceans? Dr Carol Turley (PML) presented a talk entitled: ‘IPCC Special Report on Oceans and the Cryosphere |
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Thursday 5th December Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion |
Special Report on Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC): A Pacific perspective |
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Friday 6th December Cryosphere Pavilion, Blue Zone (Hall 8) |
Changing Arctic Ocean – Evidence of change, global implications, policy response |
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Friday 6th December UK Pavilion |
Oceans Action DayView the Oceans Action Day program Click here to download the postcard which details the events related to Oceans Action Day. Ocean Acidification: Managing and Adapting to the Challenge of Ocean Acidification: Strategies from around the World Dr Helen Findlay (PML) was part of the panel for this event with the title: ‘The central role of oceans in climate and the implications of possible changes, focusing on ocean acidification (as part of the GOA-ON NE Hub). This session was followed by a special high level closing address by H.E. Andrés COUVE, the Science, Technology, Knowledge &Innovation Minister, Chile. |
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Friday 6th December Room 4, Blue Zone |
Oceans Action DayConnection oceans, science, society and the UNFCCC – raising ambition on climate mitigation and adaptation |
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Saturday 7th December UK Pavilion |
Oceans Action Day Blue carbon: Can it tackle climate change and boost resilience? Prof Melanie Austen (PML/GCRF Blue Communities) spoke at this event with a talk entitled: ‘Blue carbon: an ecosystem service with co-benefits for coastal communities’ |
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Saturday 7th December EU Pavilion |
Oceans Action Day – View the programEU Ocean Day – Oceans and Climate: From Science to Policy Dr Carol Turley (PML) was a moderator for this event. |
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Monday 9th December Cryosphere Pavilion |
Polar Ocean Acidification – highlighting issues and raising ambition |
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Monday 9th December Cryosphere Pavilion |
Tackling Polar Ocean Acidification – Arctic Council lunch briefing |