Climate change

The ocean fared well at the latest Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC (COP28) in 2023. Both the effect of climate change on the ocean and the important role the ocean plays in reducing the impact of climate change have now been recognised and included in climate discussions (although this took some time - see the ocean-climate nexus page for information thereto). A landmark Advisory Opinon on climate change delivered by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea has also set a strong course for the ocean-climate nexus, confirming that greenhouse gas emissions fall under the definition of marine pollution laid down by the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea and that States are therefore under an obligation to protect and preserve the marine environment from their deleterious effects. More information there to can be found here. Meanwhile, the 60th Sessions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) and Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) were held in June, with two sessions dedicated to the Ocean and Climate Change Dialogues.