Alongside Brazil and France, an inaugural group of eight countries – Australia, Fiji, Kenya, Mexico, Palau, and Seychelles – has already joined the initiative.
About Blue NDC Challenge
- It calls on all countries to place the ocean at the heart of their NDCs ahead of COP30.
- Supported by: Ocean Conservancy, the Ocean & Climate Platform, and the World Resources Institute through the Ocean Resilience and Climate Alliance (ORCA).
Role played by Ocean in addressing the climate crisis
- Carbon Dioxide Absorption: The ocean absorbs approximately 30% of global carbon dioxide emissions, acting as a significant carbon sink.
- Coastal habitats like mangroves and seagrasses sequester carbon at rates up to four times higher than terrestrial forests
- Heat Regulation: It captures about 90% of the excess heat generated by greenhouse gas emissions.
- Renewable Energy: Offshore wind energy has the potential to meet over one-third of global electricity needs.
Global Initiatives to Protect Ocean Ecosystems
- Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Regions designated for conservation, restricting activities to protect marine life.
- UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030): Aims to stimulate ocean science to reverse ocean decline and promote sustainable development.
- Indian Initiative: MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes),Deep Ocean Mission etc.