On Ocean Action Day at COP29, 23 leading environmental NGOs reiterated the importance of urgently prioritising the protection and restoration of marine and coastal habitats because they are critical for climate regulation, but very often undervalued. Protecting blue carbon habitats from disturbance is critical to achieving climate and biodiversity targets, including net zero emissions and protecting 30% of the seas by 2030. This requires:
- minimise the impact of harmful activities such as bottom trawling and large-scale development and prohibit these types of activities from taking place in MPAs;
- achieve strong global collaboration, a united front among environmental agreements, to protect marine ecosystems;
- prioritise the role of the ocean in climate action by protecting coral reefs; and
incorporate the protection and restoration of blue carbon ecosystems into National climate Protection Plans (NDCs).
Source: Greenreport.it
