The new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development sets the roadmap for integrated management approaches of natural systems, through the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs), including oceans and coasts, the focus of Goal 14. The SDGs have been developed as a means to overcome poverty and foster social and economic development. In June 2017, the Ocean Conference – a high-level United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 – will take place in New York.A preparatory meeting was held in New York, on 15-16 February 2017. The world community came together to consider the themes for the so-called Partnership Dialogues and elements for a "Call for Action." IUCN promoted nature-based solutions as a part of the world’s responses to on-going pressures and overuses of our coastal and marine environments. The details of the discussions can be found on the ISD reporting service site. The essential role of oceans for climate change was promoted by many delegates, and Australia in particular highlighted the role of coastal carbon ecosystems for climate change mitigation and adaptation. IUCN presented the work conducted under the UN Environment/GEF Blue Forests Project in a side event entitled “Coastal Carbon Ecosystems. Fundamental for Ocean and Human Health”, co-organized by IUCN, CI and IOC-UNESCO. The history of how Blue Carbon found its footing in the UNFCCC and the work undertaken to support countries in strengthening their Blue Carbon elements in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), as well as national policies was highlighted. The side-event also discussed how blue carbon fits into the various targets of SDG 14.A zero draft of the “Call for Action” will be produced with new consultations been scheduled for April 7 and 9, 20 and 21 March 2017.
Blue Carbon on the 2030 Agenda
