Messages coming out of the Mitigation Panel

Here at Oceans Day, the panel on Ocean-Based Mitigation Responses to Climate Change just concluded. The following messages came out of the panel:

1) Maintain and enhance mitigation responses related to oceans and coasts. In addition, ocean and coastal environments that provide mitigation opportunities should be protected. As much attention should be paid to oceans and coasts as are given to forests.

2) Carbon capture and storage (CCS) offers a temporary way to buy time for carbon emission reductions. However, it should regulated and monitored to limit the potential impacts on the marine environment. The oceans community may consider looking towards the Regional Seas Programmes to develop CCS frameworks for the various regions. Renewable energy using the oceans is another promising mitigation approach, but requires careful site selection and regulation in order to minimize impacts, i.e. migration of marine animals.

3) Activities on the sea, e.g. shipping, require better ships/equipment, as well as improved enforcement, but there is also a need for a sufficient combination of economic incentives and regulation to address GHG emissions from these activities.