The WWF is run at a local level by the following offices...
- WWF Global
- Adria
- Argentina
- Armenia
- AsiaPacific
- Australia
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- Brazil
- Bulgaria
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- Cameroon
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- Central African Republic
- Central America
- Chile
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- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Denmark
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- European Policy Office
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Advancing ocean-climate solutions
A healthy ocean plays a vital role in stabilizing the world’s climate and sustaining life on Earth. Climate change presents a pervasive threat to the health, resilience and productivity of the world’s ocean.
The ocean has taken up 90% of global heating since 1970, and the rate of ocean warming is increasing. Without decisive action to reduce carbon pollution, our ocean will be fundamentally transformed by climate change and ocean acidification. These changes – coupled with the many other pressures we’re putting on the ocean – threaten the health of vital marine ecosystems, from the poles to the tropics.
Ocean-climate action and the Paris Agreement
The Paris Agreement notes the importance of ensuring the integrity of all ecosystems, including the ocean, and the protection of biodiversity. Since its adoption, WWF and partners have raised awareness of the ocean’s critical role in mitigation, adaptation and resilience building. Likewise, climate considerations must be integrated into biodiversity and ocean governance processes.
We know the ocean holds powerful solutions both for mitigation and adaptation - from the carbon sequestered in ‘blue carbon’ habitats like mangroves, seagrass beds and kelp forests, to the protection that ecosystems like coral reefs provide against storm surges and other climate change impacts. For this reason, WWF is focused on advancing integrated ocean and climate action and solutions to strengthen the mitigation, adaptation and resilience potential of marine and coastal ecosystems.
This includes providing practical guidance to countries and partners on:
- strengthening ocean-related measures in countries’ nationally determined contributions and national adaptation plans;
- protecting, effectively managing and restoring coastal and marine ecosystems important for climate mitigation and adaptation;
- securing responsible finance to advance integrated ocean-climate action; and
- incorporating climate issues into marine spatial planning and in the planning, design and management of marine protected area networks.
Some countries are beginning to incorporate ocean-based actions into their climate plans – like restoring carbon-capturing habitats such as mangroves and seagrass beds. And we’re starting to see more joined-up thinking across global goals and targets on climate, biodiversity and sustainable development.
To guide these efforts, WWF has published a Blueprint for a Living Planet: Four Principles for Ocean-Climate Action. The report aims to provide practical guidance on using global commitments like the Paris climate agreement, policy frameworks and financial mechanisms to unleash the potential of ocean-climate solutions.
1. Raise ambition and urgently deliver stronger and sustained mitigation and adaptation actions
To limit global temperature rise to no more than 1.5°C and prevent catastrophic climate change, we need every tool in the box. That means fully integrating ocean issues into the work of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, and bringing climate into biodiversity and ocean governance processes.The ocean provides enormous opportunities to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions at scale. Countries need to capitalize on this potential by strengthening ocean-related actions in the climate change plans – including their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement and their national adaptation plans.
2. Make nature a key part of the solution
While there’s no alternative to rapidly phasing out fossil fuels, we also need to make the most of natural solutions that can help us mitigate and adapt to climate change – while also benefiting biodiversity and local people.A key part of this is protecting and restoring coastal “blue carbon” habitats: mangroves, tidal marshes, seagrasses, kelp forests, mussel beds and other habitats can all help fight climate change by absorbing and storing carbon. They can also build the resilience of ecosystems and communities in the face of a changing climate, and help protect against rising sea levels and extreme weather events brought on by climate change.
3. Put people at the centre
Ocean-climate solutions on the scale we need can only succeed when they involve and benefit the people affected – especially those closest to and most dependent on marine and coastal resources. It’s vital that local people have the opportunity to participate in and lead conservation, climate mitigation and adaptation projects – and that they receive a fair share of the benefits from them. Equity, transparency and inclusion are the watchwords.Whether it’s creating marine protected areas or restoring habitats, ocean-climate solutions need to respect human rights, cultural heritage and people’s well-being. It’s particular important to secure the free, prior and informed consent of indigenous peoples and local communities and to draw on their traditional knowledge and ocean stewardship.
4. Join up the ocean and climate finance agendas
Climate finance still falls far short of what’s needed to keep global warming within 1.5°C – and only a tiny fraction of this goes to nature-positive ocean-climate solutions. Nor is enough money being put toward achieving SDG 14 – conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. We need more and smarter investment to supercharge joined-up ocean-climate action. Private enterprises, banks and other financial institutions must join the effort, recognizing both the risks of inaction and the huge economic value that a healthy ocean provides.WWF worked with the European Commission, the World Resources Institute and the European Investment Bank to develop a set of principles for investing in a sustainable blue economy. They provide a framework for banks, insurers and investors who want to support a prosperous, healthy ocean. These Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Principles have been adopted by dozens of leading financial institutions.