The island states communities depend on nature and life below land for survival. The 5th Ministerial Meeting of Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum began on Tuesday October 10-11, and focuses on the Blue Agenda.
Ocean is the 14th goal on the Sustainable Development list. It is also the least funded goal, with just 0.01% of all funding for development. However, investment into developing ocean sectors can be a key tool in addressing the climate crisis. According to a new report, full implementation of ocean-based climate solutions that are ready for action now could reduce the “emissions gap” by up to 35 percent on a 1.5°C pathway in 2050.
The oceans can play a major role in addressing climate crisis. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi emphasized, “Our shared challenges are unprecedented, the only path is solidarity. AIS Forum must continue to produce innovative efforts to ensure the sustainability of our ocean in addressing the triple planetary crisis.”
According to High Level Panel for A Sustainable Ocean Economy, the world urgently needs to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in line the goals of the Paris Agreement. This will require emission reductions across all sectors while ensuring a just transitions and building climate resilience.
Oceans, that have been providing since ages to livelihood and sustainability, is warming up due to increased temperature, and thus affecting the marine life, including the vital corals. This is also posing an impact on people dependent on the ocean for livelihood.
Solutions like reducing offshore oil and gas, utilising low carbon food from the ocean, conserving and restoring coastal and marine ecosystems and more can help in reducing the emission gap, suggested by the study.
The AIS Forum has been the culmination point of the shared challenges and commitment among the island states to work together to address pressures the ocean ecosystem faces, to balance the life below land to leave no one behind. Further, the Meeting is also deliberating on tourism sector to support the oceans.