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UNEP and Indonesia Emphasize Role of Blue Carbon in Combating Climate Change (25.02.2010)

In a joint statement issued today at the XIth Special Session of the UNEP Governing Council, Indonesia's Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Dr. Fadel Muhammad and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner have emphasized the important role of marine and coastal ecosystems in the fight against climate change.

Image: Pixelio/amilo The concept of Blue Carbon, which emphasizes the ability of marine and coastal ecosystems to sequester carbon, was introduced by UNEP in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Education and Science Organization (UNESCO).

Blue Carbon emphasizes the key role of marine and coastal ecosystems, which are dominated by marine vegetation such as mangrove forests, seagrass, brackish marshes and salt marshes. Coastal and marine ecosystems are believed to be able to complement the role of forests (Green Carbon) in taking up carbon emissions through sequestration.

Mr. Steiner said: "We already know that marine and coastal ecosystems are multi-trillion dollar assets linked to sectors such as tourism, shipping and fisheries - now it is emerging that they are natural allies against climate change."

Mr. Steiner and Dr. Fadel jointly emphasized that the basis of their joint statement is the mandate of the Manado Ocean Declaration (MOD) declared last year, as well as efforts to control the adverse effects of climate change.

"We appeal to all countries to preserve these abilities of coastal and marine ecosystems as important variables in global climate change dynamic", said Dr. Fadel and Mr. Steiner.

"This has opened the opportunity to conduct further research on the important role of the ocean as a controller of climate change. Indonesia has an extensive area of mangroves and sea grass that in turn, will significantly contribute to the process of carbon sequestration in the coastal area", according to Dr. Fadel. "We have to work on this because the future of the earth and mankind depends on how we manage ocean wisely and in a sustainable manner. Time goes fast and we are faced with choices that cannot be negotiable. Humans must maintain a balance that has been played by the sea in order to keep functioning and able to absorb carbon from the impact of our activities ", explained Dr. Fadel.

Mr. Steiner added: "If the world is to decisively deal with climate change, every source of emissions and every option for reducing these should be scientifically evaluated and brought to the international community's attention-that should include all the colours of carbon including now blue carbon linked with the marine and coastal ecosystems. Our new partnership aims to catalyze international attention upon this important issue."

The marine issue has been one of the important pillars in a special session of UNEP's meeting of the 11th SSGC UNEP/GMEF. On 24 February, UNEP awarded its first-ever Leadership award in ocean and coastal management to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Blue Carbon Concept

Besides the benefit of healthy marine and coastal ecosystems in providing the resources and environment services to the livelihoods of coastal communities, they also play an important role in maintaining the balance of climate and carbon sequestration that is a contributor to climate change. The role of the sea and its ecosystems is maintaining the balance of carbon absorption. These balancing capabilities that are eventually absorbed by the ocean and its ecosystem become disrupted as more greenhouse gases are produced as a result of human activity. Without any reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, the next few decades could see coastal and marine ecosystems become significantly reduced. This will mean a further impact on coastal communities, marine biota and ecosystems and other coastal issues.

Source: UNEP

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