Climate Change and Oceans
Ocean Equity and Governance Responses in a Changing Climate
Climate Change and oceans
Human-caused climate change is causing significant impacts, disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities and developing States who have historically contributed the least. The ocean is the largest thermal sink for climate warming, already warming to below 2000m in depth, with resulting ocean acidification, marine heatwaves, de-oxygenation and flow on impacts on marine biodiversity and fisheries. Coral bleaching, extreme weather events, declines in fisheries biomass and productivity, and re-distributions of traditional fishing grounds all present serious risks to global populations, with particularly heavy impacts on coastal developing States that depend heavily on fisheries and coastal infrastructure. Our research explores ocean equity concerns arising from climate change and analyses policy and governance responses that can mitigate or provide adaptation opportunities.
Recent Publications
The Role of BBNJ in Addressing Climate Action (Webinar #2)
This webinar, moderated by Gemma Nelson, features Kathryn Audroing, Angelique Pouponneau, and Dr. Lisa Levin. It begins with a case study on climate change impacts on migratory turtles in the high seas and the role of local communities as stewards of BBNJ. The session also covers key steps for a climate-positive BBNJ agreement and the ITLOS advisory opinion on high seas protection.
Enhancing cooperative responses by regional fisheries management organisations to climate-driven redistribution of tropical Pacific tuna stocks
Climate change is predicted to alter the distributions of tropical tuna stocks in the Pacific Ocean. Recent modelling projects significant future shifts in tuna biomass from west to east, and from national jurisdictions to high seas areas. As the distributions of these stocks change, the relevant regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs)—the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) and the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC)—will need to develop an expanded framework for cooperation and collaboration to fulfil their conservation and management responsibilities under international law.
Pathways to sustaining tuna-dependent Pacific Island economies during climate change
Climate-driven redistribution of tuna threatens to disrupt the economies of Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and sustainable management of the world’s largest tuna fishery.