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Ocean Acidification in the EU Marine Strategy

Ocean acidification is not adequately addressed in current governance frameworks. The Ocean Acidification Alliance has identified the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) as a promising tool within the EU to include this issue. In a recent analysis of the MSFD, the Alliance recommends incorporating ocean acidification parameters into Descriptor 5 (eutrophication) and Descriptor 7 (hydrographical conditions):
Descriptor 5 should include pH and total alkalinity to address coastal acidification.
Descriptor 7 should include the partial pressure of carbon dioxide and dissolved inorganic carbon for more effective monitoring and assessment.
The Ocean Acidification Alliance believes that by integrating these parameters, the MSFD would adopt a more comprehensive approach to climate change, enhancing monitoring efforts and potentially reducing coastal acidification by controlling nutrient and organic matter inputs.
1 Ocean Acidification Alliance, 2024, Addressing Ocean and Coastal Acidification Across the Marine Strategy Framework Directive in Europe

Biodiversity

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Ocean Acidification in the EU Marine Strategy

In this issue

EU climate targets need more ambition

Editorial: EU delays critical action for 1.5°C target

WHO calls for urgent and radical action on climate change

The toxic cocktail of heat and air pollution in a changing world

Updated EU directive set to tackle industrial emissions

The need for new transportation goals and cheaper public transport

Commission NEC report: Ammonia pollution lags behind

Lessons for the EU – policy mixes are the way to go

Best climate policies in northern and eastern Europe

UN body discusses northern forests and climate change

Reducing methane emissions would boost global crop yields

EU Member State's policies in the fight against air pollution

Offshore wind’s role in the race to net zero

Many risks related to carbon markets and Article 6 in the Paris Agreement

Forests in Azerbaijan – a vital yet diminishing resource

Publications

Food for Thought

Northern forests, climate change and the UNFCCC

EU climate targets aligned with the Paris agreement’s 1.5°C objective

Baltic Sea Offshore Wind Collaborative-Learning project

Air pollution in Europe and children’s health

Climate Change: A Himalayan Odessey

No further discussion needed. The agreed global goal is to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C

Fossil-free electricity 2021

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