Oceans & Freshwater
The health of marine ecosystems is deeply connected to efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. Oceans are already suffering from climate change—even within the limits of the Paris Agreement’s targets. They play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle and are linked to various climate phenomena. Additionally, the oceans have absorbed 25–30% of human-caused CO₂ emissions, which has somewhat slowed global warming but has also led to ocean acidification, threatening marine life.
There are growing efforts to artificially enhance oceanic carbon sequestration through Ocean Carbon Dioxide Removal (OCDR)—a risky and unproven approach that, even under ideal conditions, would not deliver results fast enough to align with the remaining global carbon budget. In contrast, nature-based solutions in marine environments—such as protecting and restoring marine ecosystems—could complement carbon sequestration within the LULUCF (Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry) sector. When these solutions are integrated with marine conservation, increased resilience, and biodiversity efforts, they offer more sustainable benefits. However, it remains crucial to critically assess proposed measures and their actual impact on carbon sequestration calculations.
AirClim works with UN bodies to strengthen environmental protections, advocating for:
- Greater recognition of marine conservation needs in climate policies.
- The inclusion of ocean acidification in the work of the UN Climate Convention.
- A stronger link between the Paris Agreement and marine policy processes.
One key initiative is the Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue, a promising mechanism that needs to be further integrated into the Climate Convention’s work. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of creating synergies between ocean-related climate action and the Convention on Biological Diversity.
At the EU level, AirClim works to ensure transparency, oversight, and influence over both compliance with and potential updates to key marine-related directives, such as the Water Strategy Framework Directive.
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