To address the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss in the Indo-Pacific region will require a comprehensive and multi-dimensional approach
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This article is part of the essay series “Sagarmanthan Edit 2024”
The Indo-Pacific region, an area rich in marine resources, is one of the most vulnerable to climate change and biodiversity loss. Lovelock et al. indicate that mangrove forests in study sites with low tidal range and low sediment supply could disappear as early as 2070. The marine ecosystems here are critical not only for regional food security and livelihoods but also for their role as significant carbon sinks, essential in mitigating global climate change. However, these ecosystems face accelerating threats due to environmental changes and intensifying human activities, necessitating immediate and robust cooperation among nations. Specific cooperative strategies for effectively addressing these twin crises in the Indo-Pacific include the following:
The marine ecosystems here are critical not only for regional food security and livelihoods but also for their role as significant carbon sinks, essential in mitigating global climate change.
Building a robust scientific research network and improving data-sharing mechanisms among Indo-Pacific nations is a critical first step. Marine scientists, biologists, and climate experts across the regional seas must collaborate to collect and analyse data related to biodiversity loss and climate change in coastal and marine areas. Such effort will provide insights into shifting species distributions, rising sea temperatures, and coral bleaching events, thereby facilitating continuous monitoring of marine ecosystem health. Regional frameworks, such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) regional seas programmes, could establish a data-sharing platform, enabling real-time information exchange to inform coordinated response strategies across countries.
The expansion and strengthened management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are essential to preserving marine biodiversity and enhancing ecosystem resilience to climate change. The Indo-Pacific region boasts some of the world’s most biodiverse marine ecosystems, with extensive coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass meadows that serve as vital carbon sinks. Countries can collaborate to extend MPAs and create transboundary networks that maintain the connectivity of ecosystems and migratory species. For instance, Indonesia and the Philippines are already co-managing the Coral Triangle. This collaborative model could be expanded and applied to other regional seas and coasts in the Indo-Pacific region, forming a region-wide ecosystem-based MPA network.
The Indo-Pacific region boasts some of the world’s most biodiverse marine ecosystems, with extensive coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass meadows that serve as vital carbon sinks.
The Indo-Pacific nations can introduce nature-based ocean climate solutions as a part of their climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. Restoring mangrove forests, rehabilitating coral reefs and expanding seagrass beds are solutions that not only restore marine ecosystems but also enhance their capacity to sequester carbon. The Pacific Islands Forum, established in 1971, for instance, has launched mangrove restoration programmes under the Pacific Mangroves Initiative (PMI) that serve as a model for other Indo-Pacific countries. It is also notable that the UNESCAP launched the Ocean-Based Climate Action (OBCA) initiative in 2023, which is expected to mitigate climate change impacts on marine ecosystems and contribute to the achievement of net-zero emissions using marine systems. Additionally, establishing regional climate financing mechanisms can support the adoption of such solutions by providing the necessary resources for each country to effectively implement their marine climate strategies.
Many nations in the Indo-Pacific hold a wealth of traditional ecological knowledge about marine resource management, which can be an invaluable asset when combined with scientific findings. Local communities have long-sustained marine resources in harmony with the environment, and their participation in climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation strategies is essential. Promoting community-led marine conservation practices, such as the Philippine’s community-based MPAs and Fiji’s Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) models, enables local people and communities to play a substantial role in conserving and managing MPAs. Education and awareness programmes can further encourage community engagement, helping to instil a sense of shared responsibility for marine conservation.
Financial support and technology transfer are crucial in empowering Indo-Pacific developing states to respond effectively to climate and biodiversity crises. Developed nations and international organisations should bolster financial aid, ensuring that necessary resources are available for countries in the region to implement adaptive strategies under the Paris Agreement of 2015 (especially Article 6), UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of 2015 (especially SDG14), the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) of 2022 and High Seas Treaty of 2023. Moreover, transferring advanced technologies for the monitoring of marine environments and the restoration of ecosystems will enhance regional marine management capacity. Global institutions like the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) can set up climate adaptation funds to facilitate investment in marine conservation projects. Private sectors can also contribute to strengthening financial support to developing countries through the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework.
Cooperative initiatives, such as enhanced scientific data-sharing, the establishment of MPA networks, the adoption of nature-based climate solutions, community involvement, and strengthened financial and technological support are all integral to achieving sustainable marine and coastal areas.
In conclusion, addressing the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss in the Indo-Pacific region requires a comprehensive and multi-dimensional approach. Cooperative initiatives, such as enhanced scientific data-sharing, the establishment of MPA networks, the adoption of nature-based climate solutions, community involvement, and strengthened financial and technological support are all integral to achieving sustainable marine and coastal areas. These collaborative strategies will be crucial in preserving the health of marine ecosystems and sustaining our community’s viability in the face of escalating environmental and socio-economic threats.
Jungho Nam is a Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI)
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Jungho Nam is a Senior Research Fellow, at Korea Maritime Institute, whose mission is to develop national policies in marine affairs and fisheries. He conducts ...
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