Integrating ocean resilience in climate change governance

In this session we will discuss the efforts and shortcomings in the integration of oceans in climate law. Ocean governance cuts across multiple themes in international law and climate change will only exacerbate the governance challenges faced today including food security, shifting baselines and threats to marine ecosystem in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

As the IPCC’s Special Report on Oceans and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC) will be launched on 25 September, we will get familiar with climate change law and law of the sea, looking at the UN Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and their interpretation, to consider how to address the legal gaps between both regimes.

 

Questions:

1- To what extent does the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement address ocean resilience?

2- How does UNCLOS provide for resilient oceans with regards to climate change?

3- What forums are better to address these issues related to climate change impacts on oceans? What are the shortcomings of the current approach?

 

Readings:

1- C Redgwell, ‘Treaty Evolution, Adaptation and Change: Is the LOSC ‘Enough’ to Address Climate Change Impacts on the Marine Environment?’ (2019) The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 1-18, available here

2 - T Stephens, ‘The Role and Relevance of Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement to Ocean and Coastal Management in the Anthropocene’ (2019) Ocean Yearbook Online 250-267, available here