Decarbonization opportunities and challenges in the Blue Economy
Climate change affects all sectors of the economy, including ocean-based sectors or the Blue Economy. Some of the negative effects of climate change in these sectors include decreased productivity of fisheries, ocean acidification, increase in water temperatures, rise in sea level, and extreme weather events. Decarbonization of the ocean economy is central for its sustainability.
"We urgently need to reduce emissions, enhance adaptation measures and ensure climate justice. And developing countries must have the resources to adapt and build resilience against climate disaster."
UN Secretary-General António Guterres
International Year of Glaciers, 22 March 2023
Ocean economy sectors of export interest to developing countries include sustainable fisheries, sustainable maritime transport, sustainable coastal and marine tourism and ocean energy production.
The High-level Panel will discuss the issues, present lessons learned from different countries and ocean economy sectors and explore policies areas that could help developing countries on their decarbonization pathways.
Questions:
- What is the role of the multilateral trade system to advance decarbonization goals?
- What are the priorities for decarbonization within major blue export sectors?
- Which are the key levers and stumbling blocks to accelerate decarbonization and adaptation within ocean-based value chains?
- Which have been the most successful incentives, interventions, and practices in reducing emissions and improving energy and natural resources efficiency in key ocean-based export sectors of developing countries?
- How can we finance decarbonization pathways in the blue economy, particularly in developing countries?
Related pulications:
Programme
[as at 01/06/2023]
Opening
Welcome remarks by the President of the Trade and Development Board
Introduction by Ms. Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UNCTAD
Panel
- Fisheries and blue foods: Daniel Voces, Managing Director of Europêche
- Maritime Transport: Harry Conway, Chair, Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Representative of Liberia to the IMO
- Sustainable coastal and marine tourism: Jacqueline Mora-Baez, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Dominican Republic
- Ocean energy: Nathalie Almonacid, Coordinator of R&D / Energy Marine Map (EMMAP), Energía Marina SpA y MERIC (Marine Energy Research and Innovation Center), and Board Member, Pamec Energy Association
Followed by
Question and answer session and statements by regional groups, member States
Related
Topic
Trade and environment
Programme
Event
Contact
Enquiries concerning registration:
UNCTAD secretariat
Intergovernmental Support Service
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10
Questions on preparations for this session:
Lisanne Losier
Deputy Secretary of the Trade and Development Board
Intergovernmental Support Service
T.: 41 22 917 4054
E.: correspondence@unctad.org
