The concept of 'blue carbon' has been widely recognised and accepted as a concept that can potentially assist in nations' climate change mitigation measures. As in the COP21 in Paris, 'blue carbon' will be a key focus for plenty of events during COP22 in Marrakech. See below for a list of events and activities addressing 'blue carbon':Wednesday, 9 November, 10:30-12:00Changing oceans and seas around the world: implications for mitigation & adaptationVENUE: European Union Pavilion, Room BrusselsEVENT ORGANISERS: Plymouth Marine Laboratory; Biological Impacts of Ocean Acidification (BIOACID); GEOMAR; Ocean Acidification International Coordination Centre (OA-ICC)Recent assessments of ocean warming, acidification, deoxygenation and sea level rise identified serious risks to marine ecosystems, fisheries, and coastal livelihoods and infrastructure. The Paris Agreement recognised the need to protect the integrity and biodiversity of the ocean and its ecosystems. This side event:Provided a space for a panel of international experts to discuss an integrated and updated perspective on the climate related changes, risks and projections for both natural and human ocean systems.Made mitigation and adaptation recommendations for future UNFCCC processes.Highlighted why the ocean provides further compelling arguments for rapid and rigorous CO2 emission reduction and why the implementation of the Paris Agreement must also minimise the impacts on the ocean.Wednesday, 9 November, 13:15-14:45SDG14: Oceans: Science based solutions for achieving adaptation and mitigation goals.VENUE: Blue Zone, Mediterranean RoomEVENT ORGANISERS: United Nations (UN)This side event highlighted how the UN system assists States in the implementation of the Paris Agreement, considering NDCs and related SDGs by, inter alia, building capacity and opportunities for adaptation, and maximising the role of oceans and related activities for mitigation.Thursday, 10 November, 10:00-11:30Open Day @ UNESCO Pavilion: Restoration of Blue Carbon EcosystemsVENUE: Green Zone, UNESCO PavilionEVENT ORGANISERS: UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)Thursday, 10 November, 18:30 – 20:00Building Resilience and Adaptations Measures with Co-Mitigation Benefits in Red Sea and Arabian GulfVENUE: Blue Zone, Room Bering 150EVENT ORGANIZERS: Saudi Arabia; The Regional Organisation for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA)This side event showcased the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea and Gulf of Aden regions efforts in their adaptation actions through ecosystem solutions, addressing water conservation urban planning, desertification, marine conservation, considering blue carbon mitigation co-benefits.Friday, 11 November, 09:00-10:30Ocean and Climate: Deep Sea and Blue FinanceVENUE: Green Zone, Room TensiftEVENT ORGANIZERS: Global Ocean Trust; Co-organizers: Nekton FoundationFriday, 11 November, 09:00 – 12:30The Ocean & Climate Forum. Register Here.VENUE: Green Zone, Civil SocietyEVENT ORGANISERS: The Ocean & Climate PlatformThe Ocean & Climate Forum hosted by the Ocean & Climate Platform in collaboration with the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and Global Ocean Forum.09:00-09:10: Registration09:10-09:30: Opening Speech09:30-10:15: From the Paris Agreement to Action-Mitigation and Adaptation: What are the initiatives to develop Ocean & Climate actions?10:15-11:00: Science-Scientific questions, lacuna and research initiatives to better understand the links between Ocean and Climate and to guide actions.11:00-11:30: Youth-Give voice to Youth regarding the solutions the ocean could offer against climate change in terms of adaptation and mitigation. Also, listen to their point of view regarding political and economic progress.11:30-12:25: An Ocean Coalition-What are the convergences between States and Non-Governmental Actors regarding Ocean issues? How to include the Ocean in State contributions and the Action Agenda?12:25-12:30: Closing sessionFriday, 11 November, 11:30-13:00Building Resilience for Climate Change Adaptation in Archipelagic and Small Island Developing StatesVENUE: Blue Zone, Mediterranean Room 300EVENT ORGANISERS: Indonesia; International Coastal and Ocean Organisation (ICO); World Ocean Network (WON)This event will be a forum to share knowledge, experiences and lessons learned from policy makers and practitioners on how to build and strengthen resilient capacity for archipelagic and small island developing States in the face of climate change, particularly for marine and fisheries sectors.More information HereSaturday, 12 November, 10:30-12:00Wetlands and Peat – Understanding the PotentialVENUE: European Union Pavilion, Room BrusselsEVENT ORGANISERS: UNEP; Jena-Optronik GmbH; Semide/EMWIS; Tour du Valat; Wetlands InternationalAlthough peatlands, a particular type of weatlands, only cover about 4 million km2, they store significant amounts of carbon. Peatland degradation is responsible for an estimated 5% of global GHG emissions. Information on the extent of wetlands, their ecological character and level of degradation is scattered, underestimated and difficult to find and access. To address the issue of the lack of data, the side event will present solutions for gathering information, e.g. provided by SWOS, the Satellite-based Wetland Observation Service. In regard to the need to improve the peatland management in order to reduce the GHG emissions, a new global initiative of nine key organisations will be launched at the event. The participants have the opportunity to contribute to the discussion and share experiences on how peatlands can help countries in realising their contributions to the Paris Climate Agreement.Saturday, 12 November, all dayOceans Action Day at COP 22VENUE: Blue ZoneORGANISERS: Global Ocean ForumThe Oceans Action Day at COP 22 will bring together leaders in the UNFCCC negotiations, high-level representatives from governments, intergovernmental/international organizations, and civil society to advance the oceans and climate change agenda at COP 22 and beyond.Saturday, 12 November, 13:15-14:45Incorporating Blue Carbon into Nationally Determined Contributions Under the Paris AgreementVENUE: Blue Zone, Room Arabin 150ORGANISERS: Australia; Wetlands InternationalCoastal blue carbon ecosystems – mangroves, tidal marshes, and seagrass meadows – present considerable potential for carbon storage and resilience. Participants in this event will be able to share lessons learned from the challenges and opportunities involved in protecting blue carbon ecosystems.Monday, 14 November, 16:00-17:00International Partnership for Blue Carbon – MinisterialVENUE: Gulf Cooperation Council PavilionORGANISERS: Gulf Cooperation CouncilTuesday, 15 November, 16:10-17:30Indonesian Blue Carbon DialogueVENUE: Indonesian PavilionORGANISERS: CIFORMore info Here.For more information on the many other events during COP22 follow this Link.
Blue Carbon at COP22
