The 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals 

In 2015, the 193 member states of the UN approved the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, an ambitious plan that sets out to achieve prosperity that is respectful of the planet and people. It is made up of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), further broken down into 169 targets. The Agenda integrates the 3 dimensions of sustainable development: social, economic and environmental.

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Coastal and marine ecosystems in the 2030 Agenda: SDG14 – Life below water

SDG14 calls on countries to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources. It is underpinned by 10 targets addressing marine pollution, sustainable management, protection and restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems, ocean acidification, sustainable fisheries, fisheries subsidies, conservation of at least 10% of coastal and marine areas and increasing the economic benefits to Small Island Developing States, among others. Some of these targets relate to commitments under other international frameworks such as the commitment to conserve at least 10% of marine and coastal areas (under the CBD Aichi Target 11), or the commitment by WTO Members to reach a meaningful outcome at the 12th Ministerial Conference conform to the mandate in SDG 14.6.  

The following are additional links providing references and could be useful to extract more information:

• Progress of 2020 targets 

• Ministerial Declaration HLPF 2020 

• Our Ocean, Our Future: Call for Action 

• Interactions between SDGs: SDG14 Conserve and Sustainable Use the Oceans, Seas and Marine Resources for Sustainable Development in: A Guide to SDG Interactions: from Science to Implementation pp.174-218 

• Infographic SDG14

• Documentation (incl. inputs) for UN Ocean Conference

SDG14 Targets

14.1 By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution

14.2 By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

14.3 Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

14.4 By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics

14.5 By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information

14.6 By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation

14.7 By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism

14.A Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries

14.B Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets

14.C Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in UNCLOS, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of The Future We Want

Achieving SDG14 will require greater integration of ocean governance across international policy fora and at the national level. Indeed, many of the drivers of ocean degradation are beyond the purview of environmental organisations and touch on matters as diverse as employment, food security, sustainable consumption and production, and climate action.

 This is reflected in the crosscutting role of SDG14 in the 2030 Agenda: The Goal and its targets interact with several other SDGs such as SDG1 – ending poverty; 2 – zero hunger; 8 – decent work and economic growth; 12 – Ensure sustainable consumption and production; 13 – climate action; and even SDG 15 – life on land. The nature of these interactions can both positive and negative, thus offering opportunities for the development of synergies but also requiring actors to balance trade-offs carefully.

In the Ministerial declaration at the high-level segment of the 2020 session of the Economic and Social Council, countries committed to maintaining the integrity of the 2030 Agenda by raising the ambition and ensuring continuous action on the targets of the SDGs with a 2020 timeline. Countries also requested the relevant intergovernmental forums and bodies to review and, as needed, adjust their frameworks to allow to update targets to reflect a suitable level of ambition for 2030.

 The future of these targets needs to be monitored to ensure continued prioritization and implementation of sustainable development interventions in coastal ecosystems.

UNFCCC

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) ultimate objective is to achieve the stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous interference with the climate system. 

 The Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement further operationalize the UNFCCC. The former committed industrialized countries and economies in transition to limit and reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions in accordance with agreed individual targets, and the latter requires all Parties to put forward their best efforts to limit the global temperature rise to below 2°C through nationally determined contributions (NDCs) from 2020.  

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Coastal and marine ecosystems in the UNFCCC 

The ocean is an integral part of the Earth’s climate system, and its integrity is at risk from climate change impacts. According to Article 4.1(d) of the Convention, Parties to the UNFCCC shall promote sustainable management, and promote and cooperate in the conservation and enhancement, as appropriate, of sinks and reservoirs of all GHG not controlled by the Montreal Protocol, including biomass, forests and oceans as well as other terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems.

 The Paris Agreement also acknowledges the need to promote and ensure environmental integrity and calls on Parties to conserve and enhance GHG sinks and reservoirs, including biomass, forests and oceans as well as other terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems.

 Historically, the UNFCCC negotiations have been focused on terrestrial and atmospheric systems and there has been little recognition of the importance of oceans and coasts to achieving the goals of the convention. As a consequence, there is often insufficient detail, guidance or precedent for applying components of the UNFCCC mechanisms to coasts and oceans.

 In recent years, many countries have recognized that the sustainable management of coastal habitats are crucial climate change responses and are now working to strengthen the UNFCCC mechanisms to better serve coastal and ocean issues. Several agenda items, bodies and work streams under the UNFCCC are particularly relevant to oceans and marine and coastal ecosystems:

 The following are additional links providing references and could be useful to extract more information: 

• UNFCCC SBSTA52 Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue to consider how to strengthen adaptation and mitigation action

• Because the Ocean – Ocean and coastal zone in the UNFCCC. Presentation by Joanna Post 

• Adaptation Knowledge Portal 

• ExCom WIM & TEC Policy brief on Technologies for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage in coastal zones

• NWP Scoping paper – Adaptation of the ocean, coastal areas and ecosystems 

• IPCC SROCC Summary for Policy Makers 

In recent years, many countries have recognized that the sustainable management of coastal habitats are crucial climate change responses and are now working to strengthen the UNFCCC mechanism to better serve coastal and ocean issues. A number of agenda items, bodies and work streams under the UNFCCC are particularly relevant to oceans and marine and coastal ecosystems:

• Adaptation

  • NAPs – National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) are domestic level strategies developed by countries aimed to decrease vulnerability, increase capacity, and focus on national priorities. Several countries have addressed coastal and marine ecosystems in their NAPs.

  • Adaptation Communications – Established by the Paris Agreement, adaptation communications are a vehicle for countries to announce their adaptation priorities, plans, actions, and implementation needs. Countries could make use of them to define their adaptation needs and priorities regarding climate impacts in coastal and marine ecosystems.

  • The Nairobi Work Programme (NWP) is a forum where countries and relevant stakeholders come together to identify knowledge gaps regarding adaptation and responds to these needs. It includes a focus area on oceans, coastal areas and ecosystems, including coral reefs and mangroves, facilitating knowledge generation and capacity building on coastal and marine NBS in relation to climate change adaptation policies and practices.

• Mitigation 

  • National GHG inventories – A national GHG Inventory is a comprehensive report accounting for all natural and anthropogenic GHG emissions, as well as GHG sinks, within a certain country. GHG inventory reports under the Convention are guided by the IPCC Guidelines and the 2013 Supplement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories: Wetlands.

  • REDD+ - “Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks” (REDD+) is a framework developed under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that creates an incentive for protecting, conserving and restoring forest ecosystems in developing countries by valuing their carbon sequestration, storage and other social and environmental services. This framework can apply to all types of forests, including mangroves, if they are recognized in the national definition of “forest.”

  • NDCs – Given the differing resources, abilities, and conditions of countries under the Paris Agreement, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are pledges made by different countries to reduce their emissions towards meeting the Paris Agreement goal of limiting warming to 2°C, as well as adapting to climate change. Including coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrasses, and saltmarshes (mitigation and adaptation) as well as other systems such as coral reefs (adaptation) into NDCs can raise ambition and increase finance flows for nature-based solutions and economic activities.

• Science and observation

  • Research and Systematic Observation - The Research Dialogue, and the overall SBTSA agenda item on Research and Systematic Observation, can also support discussions on ocean related-research gaps within the UNFCCC in the future.

• Finance

  • Financial Mechanism - The UNFCCC established a Financial Mechanism to facilitate the flow of finance from more developed, wealthy countries to poorer and more vulnerable ones. Its operation is entrusted to existing international entities, including the Green Climate Fund, the Global Environmental Facility, the Standing Committee on Finance, and the Adaptation Fund. These and other key financial organizations could support a paradigm shift from infrastructure investments in sectors with unclear or negative impacts on nature and coastal and marine ecosystems towards infrastructure investments that can integrate NBS within them to provide flood and erosion control, as well as protect and enhance natural habitats in coastal and marine areas (“blue finance”). This shift could be achieved by both influencing financial goals under UNFCCC frameworks like the Paris Agreement, as well as by influencing the Finance Mechanism’s entrusted entities and their investment practices towards blue finance and ecosystem conservation. 

• Technology 

  • Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) – The Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) is the operational arm of the UNFCCC Technology mechanism and helps facilitate the transfer of low carbon and climate-resilient technologies to developing countries.  Its work includes dedicated focuses on themes such as ‘Coastal Zones’ and ‘Marine and Fisheries’ as part of its adaptation-related efforts, as well as sections on ‘Forestry’ and ‘Renewable Energy’ (under mitigation), which are of relevance to coastal and marine NBS (e.g., mangroves in relation to forestry).

• Global Stocktake 

  • Global Stocktake - The global stocktake can help oceans in gaining a more solid foothold in the climate regime. For instance, The IPCC and its reports are explicitly identified by the Paris Decision as a source of input for the Global Stocktake.

In 2020, Parties are expected to provide revised or updated NDCs to the secretariat.

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has 3 objectives: to conserve biodiversity, promote the sustainable use of its components, and encourage equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.

In 2010, Parties adopted the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, to promote the effective implementation of the Convention through a strategic approach, comprising a vision, a mission, and strategic goals and targets (the Aichi targets), meant to provide an overarching framework on biodiversity, not only for the CBD but also for the biodiversity-related conventions and the UN system. Parties were to translate the Strategic Plan into national targets and incorporate them into the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) – the principal instrument for implementing the Convention at the national level. 

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Coastal and marine ecosystems in the CBD 

Coastal and marine ecosystems support the abundance of marine life that produces much of the oxygen we breathe, offers a valuable source of protein and moderates global climatic change. Adopted in 1998, and reviewed and updated in 2004 and 2010, the programme of work on marine and coastal biodiversity focuses on integrated marine and coastal area management, marine and coastal living resources, marine and coastal protected areas, mariculture, and invasive alien species. Each of the programme elements is composed of a goal and operational objectives. The programme of work also recognizes the importance of marine and coastal biodiversity in the mitigation of, and adaptation to climate change, and the impacts of ocean acidification.  

Elements of the Programme of Work on Marine and Coastal Biodiversity & relevant Aichi Targets

1. Implementation of integrated marine and coastal area management

Wide adoption and implementation of integrated marine and coastal area management (IMCAM) are necessary for effective conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biological diversity. The goal is to promote and improve the implementation of IMCAM at the local, national and regional level.

Related Aichi Targets: 6, 8, 10

The following are additional links providing references and could be useful to extract more information: 

• Marine and coastal biodiversity webpage 

• Report of the Thematic Workshop on Marine and Coastal Biodiversity for the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework

• COP Decision VII/5 – Marine Programme of Work 

2. Marine and Coastal Living Resources

The overall goal of this programme element is to achieve conservation and long-term sustainable use of marine and coastal living resources in a manner that respects both societal interests and the integrity of ecosystems. Deep seabed biodiversity and coral are two focal areas of this programme element.

Related Aichi Targets: 5, 6, 10, 15

3. Marine and Coastal Protected Areas

The goal of this programme element is the establishment and maintenance of marine and coastal protected areas that are effectively managed, ecologically based and contribute to a global network of marine and coastal protected areas, to maintain the structure and functioning of the full range of marine and coastal ecosystems, in order to provide benefits to both present and future generations.

Related Aichi Targets: 11

4. Mariculture

Mariculture offers possibilities for sustainable protein-rich food production and for economic development of local communities. However, mariculture on an industrial scale may pose several threats to marine and coastal biological diversity due to, for example, wide-scale destruction and degradation of natural habitats. The goal is to prevent or minimize the negative impacts of mariculture on marine and coastal biodiversity and to enhance any positive effects of mariculture using native species.

Related Aichi Targets: 7, 13 

5. Invasive Alien Species

The goal is to prevent the introduction of invasive alien species into the marine and coastal environment, and to eradicate to the extent possible those invasive alien species that have already been introduced.

Related Aichi Targets: 9

Other items addressed in the CBD concerning coastal and marine ecosystems include: 

• Marine debris

• Mainstreaming biodiversity in fisheries 

• Identification of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs)

• Anthropogenic underwater noise

The CBD also supports the work of the United Nations General Assembly with regard to marine protected areas beyond national jurisdiction, by focusing on provision of scientific and technical information and advice, as appropriate.

 Negotiations for a new post-2020 global biodiversity framework have begun in the context of an open-ended intersessional Working Group (OEWG). This presents an opportunity to identify and address gaps in the Aichi Targets, and strengthen the monitoring framework to account for the status and progress in the conservation and sustainable use of coastal and marine ecosystems. Potential substantial elements for the future framework include: Exploitation of marine living resources; Marine pollution; Important marine ecosystems; Ecosystem restoration; Area-based planning and conservation measures; Threatened, endangered and declining species; Climate change and marine and coastal biodiversity; Exploitation of non-living resources; Marine spatial planning; and Regional approaches.

Ramsar 

Ramsar, the Convention on Wetlands, is the intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. Its mission is “the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world”.

 Under the “three pillars” of the Convention, the Contracting Parties commit to: i) work towards the wise use of all their wetlands; ii) designate suitable wetlands for the list of Wetlands of International Importance (the “Ramsar List”) and ensure their effective management; and iii) cooperate internationally on transboundary wetlands, shared wetland systems and shared species.

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Coastal and marine ecosystems in Ramsar 

The Convention uses a broad definition of wetlands. It includes all lakes and rivers, underground aquifers, swamps and marshes, wet grasslands, peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas and tidal flats, mangroves and other coastal areas, coral reefs, and all human-made sites such as fishponds, rice paddies, reservoirs and salt pans.

 The Fourth Ramsar Strategic Plan for 2016-2024 lays out a new vision under the Convention mission, four overall goals and 19 specific targets which are designed to support the efforts of Parties, partners and other stakeholders in preventing, stopping and reversing the global decline of wetlands. The Goals include: Addressing the drivers of wetland loss and degradation; effectively conserving and managing the Ramsar site network; wisely using all wetlands; and enhancing implementation.

Up to 2020, 973 marine and coastal wetlands Ramsar Sites covering 72,790,070 ha have been designated under the Convention.

The Sendai Framework

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (The Sendai Framework) is a global agreement to reduce and prevent disaster risks. It aims to achieve a substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health and in the economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities and countries. The UNDRR oversees the implementation of the Sendai Framework, supporting countries in its implementation, monitoring and sharing information on reducing and preventing risks.

 The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 outlines seven targets and four priorities for action to prevent new and reduce existing disaster risks: (i) Understanding disaster risk; (ii) Strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk; (iii) Investing in disaster reduction for resilience; and (iv) Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response, and to "Build Back Better" in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

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The following are additional links providing references and could be useful to extract more information: 

• 4th Strategic Plan 2016-2024 

• Ramsar factsheets

• Wetlands for disaster risk reduction Policy brief

• Value of Wetlands Policy Brief

• Work plan of the Scientific and Technical Review Panel for 2019-2021

 The following are additional links providing references and could be useful to extract more information: 

• Chart of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction

• Sendai Framework for DRR

• Ecosystem-Based Disaster Risk Reduction - Implementing Nature-based Solutions for Resilience

• Opportunities for considering green infrastructure and ecosystems in the Sendai Framework Monitor

Coastal and marine ecosystems in The Sendai Framework 

Small island developing States and other developing countries with extensive coastlines are particularly vulnerable to natural hazards and the impacts of climate change and are often challenged to respond to and recover from disasters. In low-lying coastal zones, natural barriers such as coral reefs, mangrove forests, seagrasses and sand dunes play an important role in protecting communities from storm and tidal surges and other hazards. 

The degradation of coastal and marine ecosystems due to unregulated human activity and coastal erosion hastened by more intense and frequent weather events has significantly increased disaster risk along coastal zones and compromised the resilience in the face of disasters. 

The Sendai Framework identifies unsustainable use of natural resources and declining ecosystems, as underlying drivers of disaster risk that need to be tackled. It sets the goal of preventing new and reducing existing disaster risk through the implementation of integrated and inclusive environmental measures, among others.

It specifies a range of priority actions focused on implementation of integrated environmental and natural resource management approaches that incorporate disaster risk reduction. Key measures include:

• Mainstreaming disaster risk assessment, mapping and management into rural development planning and management of coastal flood plain areas (as well as in mountains, rivers, drylands, and wetlands) (paragraph 30 (g));

• Supporting trans-boundary cooperation that enables policy and planning for the implementation of ecosystem-based approaches with regard to shared resources, such as within river basins and along coastlines (paragraph 28 (d));

• Encouraging the establishment of mechanisms and incentives to ensure high levels of compliance with existing laws and regulations addressing land use, environmental and resource management, and updating them, where needed, to ensure an adequate focus on disaster risk management (paragraph 27 (d)).

Progress towards Goals D (critical infrastructure & services) and E (DRR strategies) could be greatly enhanced with the inclusion of Eco-DRR in National Strategies and the implementation of green-grey infrastructure.