Ocean Governance Amidst Climate Change

2019 ◽  
pp. 439-446
Author(s):  
Paul G. Harris
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Ocean Governance

Part I Assessing the UN Institutional Structure for Global Ocean Governance: The UN’s Role in Global Ocean Governance, 1 The Role of the United Nations, including its Secretariat in Global Ocean Governance

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Goettsche-Wanli Gabriele
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Global Ocean ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Ocean Governance ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Un General Assembly ◽  
The United Nations

This chapter examines the role of the United Nations and its related institutions for global ocean governance, including those established by the entry into force of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It first considers the main issues that these institutions have addressed, ranging from sustainable fisheries, via ecosystem protection, to marine biodiversity conservation; and more recently, maritime security. It then argues that the impacts of climate change have arguably not been directly addressed by either the global ocean governance regime, as it is currently constituted, nor by the climate change regime, at least until recent developments through the 2015 Paris Agreement relating to adaptation and mitigation measures in direct response to sea-level rise and the effects of ocean acidification. The chapter proceeds by discussing UNCLOS and its related legal instruments, UN Conferences and Summit on sustainable development, and the role played by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in global ocean governance.

9 The IMO: Ship-sourced Emissions, Climate Change, and Global Ocean Governance

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hughes Edmund
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Global Ocean ◽  
Environment Protection ◽  
Sea Transport ◽  
Comprehensive Strategy ◽  
Ocean Governance ◽  
Cargo Transport ◽  
Vexed Question

This chapter focusses on the vexed question of climate change and the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) attempts to control and reduce ship-sourced emissions. It notes that, while international maritime transport remains the most energy-efficient mode of mass cargo transport, a global approach to further improvements in energy efficiency and work to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships is highly necessary. After all, sea transport is predicted to grow significantly in the coming years. In line with this, a roadmap has been approved by the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) for the development of a comprehensive strategy on the reduction of GHG emissions from ships. Under the roadmap and to provide a long-term vision for the shipping sector, the MEPC will need to address a number of important questions.

Part II Individual Issues and Cross-Cutting Themes: Climate Change and Global Ocean Governance, 7 The Role of the International Climate Change Regime in Global Ocean Governance

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Freestone David
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Anthropogenic Impacts ◽  
Global Ocean ◽  
Legal Regime ◽  
Ocean Governance ◽  
Global Environmental ◽  
The World ◽  
International Climate ◽  
International Climate Change

This chapter examines the role of the international climate change regime in global ocean governance, with emphasis on the cross-cutting set of global ocean governance issues arising from human-induced climate change. It first provides an overview of the international legal regime governing climate change before discussing the two major anthropogenic impacts on the oceans, namely: warming/acidification and sea level rise. It then considers other governance issues such as greenhouse gas emissions from shipping, geoengineering, and blue carbon, suggesting that addressing these issues are beyond the competence of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The chapter stresses the need for greater, deeper and ultimately better co-ordinated leadership on the most significant global environmental challenge facing the world today.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document