From DG MARE: EU Ocean Day highlights role of oceans in tackling climate change

The ocean is a key enabler of life on Earth, producing 50% of the oxygen in the atmosphere, absorbing about 25% of human-produced carbon dioxide emissions and 90% of excess heat in the climate system, and regulating the global climate. The ocean has greatly slowed the rate of climate change but also been among its first victim: 14% of coral reefs are gone, the Arctic has lost an ice area about six times the size of Germany over the last 40 years, and marine species are disappearing from their habitat at twice the rate of those on land.

To underline the importance of the nexus between the ocean and climate change, the EU has called for the third edition of the EU Ocean Day at COP26 in presence of Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries.

The event will take place in Glasgow in a hybrid format on 9 November from 9.30 to 10.30 (Brussels time) and is co-organised with the European Bureau for Conservation and Development (EBCD), the Ocean and Climate Platform and the Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML).

This event follows up on the commitment of convening a dedicated Dialogue on Ocean and Climate Change, taken at the Blue COP (COP25). It draws on the recently adopted Arctic Joint Communication   as well as ongoing EU action for the ocean, including the Biodiversity Strategy 2030, the designation of new large-scale Antarctic Marine Protected Areas (MPAs); the Strategy for Adaptation, and the new approach for a sustainable blue economy in the EU to support climate adaptation and coastal resilience. And it is not about remedial action only: The European Union has set its Paris Agreement target of climate neutrality by 2050 into law, while it aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 with the “Fit for 55” package”.

You can follow the event live on 9 November, 9:30-10:30

This article was originally brought on DG MARE’s website on October 29, 2021. Find more information here.