OCEANS, COASTAL AREAS AND ECOSYSTEMS

Role of oceans and coastal areas in building climate resilience

Healthy oceans are instrumental in regulating the climate system and are integral to achieving the SDGs and the objectives of the Paris Agreement . They also help safeguard coastal cities, communities and businesses from adverse impacts of a changing climate. However, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special report on Oceans and Cryosphere (SROCC ) warns that Small Island Developing States (SIDS), coastal megacities and communities are on the frontline of increasing climate impacts.

Ocean and marine ecosystems provide a space for action for governments, communities and stakeholders living with increasing risks in the next decades. A number of countries have communicated their intentions through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), to increase adaptation efforts in ocean ecosystems, and to safeguard oceans to facilitate sustainable development. Knowledge gaps in adapting to the impacts of climate change in coastal areas can pose barriers to countries to take necessary adaptation action. Nature-based solutions in the oceans and coastal areas are a vital part of strategies to strengthen livelihoods, ensure food security, and protect lives.

Closing knowledge gaps through partnership with the NWP expert group on oceans

The Nairobi Work Programme (NWP), UNFCCC knowledge-to-action hub on adaptation and resilience was mandated SBSTA 48 and SBSTA 50 to focus on oceans, coastal areas and ecosystems as one of the priority areas. The work provides an opportunity to link with and build on existing initiatives and promoting coherence to ensure effective outcomes for the ocean-climate nexus, boosting exchange of knowledge, experience and best practices.

The NWP Expert Group on Oceans, established in 2019, aims to strengthen action on ocean and climate adaptation under the UNFCCC process. Building on the momentum to-date. The expert group can help address key ocean-climate gaps through collaboration among expert group members, and with the UNFCCC constituted bodies, other thematic expert groups of the NWP and relevant communities of practice. It consist of around 23 representatives from renowned organizations and institutes, including the IPCC, United Nations agencies, networks and other relevant international organizations and institutes.

The knowledge-to action methodology

The NWP uses a knowledge-to-action methodology (see figure below) that guides knowledge co-development through partnerships. This collaborative approach responds to the adaptation needs of Parties, with an emphasis on developing countries, and supports the formulation of national adaptation plans and relevant mandates of UNFCCC constituted bodies. The approach has been refined over the years incorporating lessons learned.

Progress

Steps	Activities	Outputs
1) Scoping		Created a Scoping paper to review and sythesize existing knowledge on oceans, coastal areas and ecosystems, including but not limited to mega deltas, coral reefs, mangroves and slow onset events
2) Engage with expert groups	Organized the first expert group virtual meeting in November 2019 and led to refined knowledge gaps and indicative actions to address these gapsCo-designed and organized the 13th Focal Point Forum in conjunction with COP25. Mandated event with scoping paper as input to inform the discussions.
3) Refine knowledge	Co-designed and organized the 13th Focal Point Forum in conjunction with COP25. Mandated event with scoping paper as input to inform the discussions.
4) Co-design actions	Convened the second virtual meeting of the expert group on the ocean in June 2020 to initiate collaborative actions to address knowledge gaps
5) Report and disseminate finding		Produced various knowledge outputs to share the scoping paper and information on the focal point forum (e.g. dedicated page on the UNFCCC page; UNFCCC Newsroom article; information booklet on the forum) Published NWP Policy Brief on the Ocean. Synthesis of ocean adaptation existing knowledge, gaps, and needs, and collaborative actions to build resilience of the ocean, coastal areas and ecosystems.
6) Facilitate partnerships to mobilize support	Facilitating collaborative actions with the expert working group
7) Implementing action (more details )	Showcasing the progress of the work undertaken under the NWP in collaboration with the NWP expert group on the ocean during the Ocean and Climate Dialogue, December 2020. Shared progress on actions and how the NWP expert group on the ocean can help strengthen action on the ocean and adaptation under the UNFCCC process. Organized three Thematic sessions with the Technology Executive Committee (TEC), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Friends of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (FEBA) as part of the "Technology Day" series of events (2021). The Three events were: Ecosystems and Technology: Innovative Approaches to Strengthening Coastal and Ocean Adaptation (September 2021, IUCN World Conservation Congress) National Policy, Local Action: Scaling Integrated Approaches to Strengthen Coastal and Ocean Adaptation, Informal SBSTA event under the NWP (October 2021) The Best of Both Worlds: Uniting Adaptation Technologies and Nature-based Solutions to Enhance Coastal and Ocean Resilience (November 2021, COP 26 in Glasgow)	Published the report: Enhancing resilience of oceans, coastal areas and ecosystems through collaborative partnerships (2021). The report highlights new solutions and good practices for building the resilience of oceans and coastal areas and gives an overview of knowledge gaps and opportunities for coordinated action to address these gaps. Produced Policy Brief: Innovative Approaches for Strengthening Coastal and Ocean Adaptation: Integrating Technology and Nature-based Solutions (2022). This policy brief summarizes actions and recommendations for scaling up innovative approaches to achieve multiple benefits for people and nature. Developed guidance on developing proposals for funding NbS for adaptation, including NAP implementation, in partnership with LEG and GCF: Coastal adaptation and nature-based solutions for the implementation of NAPs: Considerations for GCF proposal development. A supplement to the UNFCCC NAP technical guidelines. Prepared by the NWP Expert Group on Oceans.

Next steps

Timeline	Action
Until end-of 2023	Developing a Snapshot Guide to Nature-based Solutions Finance, describing instruments and mechanisms for financing Nature-based solutions in coastal & marine Ecosystems. Developing a data policy brief, integrating ocean data and information into relevant adaptation policies and plans. The complement to AC paper on data for adaptation at different temporal and spatial scales.

Timeline

Action

Until end-of 2023

Developing a Snapshot Guide to Nature-based Solutions Finance, describing instruments and mechanisms for financing Nature-based solutions in coastal & marine Ecosystems.

Developing a data policy brief, integrating ocean data and information into relevant adaptation policies and plans. The complement to AC paper on data for adaptation at different temporal and spatial scales.

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