WGEO Program at COP29

WGEO Panel Discussion

Background

Nature-based solutions (NBS) offer a cost-effective and sustainable approach to addressing climate change. By harnessing the power of natural ecosystems, NBS can provide a range of benefits, including climate mitigation, adaptation, and biodiversity conservation. Recent reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)[1] emphasize the importance of NBS in addressing climate challenges and achieving sustainable development goals.

In Focus

Investing in NBS can yield significant returns in terms of climate mitigation, adaptation, and ecosystem services. However, it is essential to consider the specific context and needs of different regions when implementing NBS projects. Key factors to consider include:

• Cost-effectiveness: NBS can often be more cost-effective than traditional infrastructure solutions, such as seawalls or dams.
• Multiple benefits: NBS can provide a range of benefits, including carbon sequestration, flood protection, and biodiversity conservation.
• Community engagement: Involving local communities in the planning, implementation, and management of NBS projects is essential for ensuring their success.
• Scaling up: Scaling up NBS requires overcoming challenges such as land tenure, financing, and knowledge gaps.

Questions for Panel Discussion

How can investments in nature-based solutions be effectively leveraged for climate change adaptation and mitigation?

• What are the most effective NBS for addressing specific climate challenges, such as flooding, drought, and biodiversity loss?
• How can NBS be integrated into broader climate action strategies?
• What are the potential trade-offs and synergies between NBS and other climate mitigation and adaptation measures?

What are the benefits and challenges of investing in these solutions?

• How can the economic benefits of NBS be quantified and communicated to decision-makers?
• What are the potential risks and uncertainties associated with NBS investments?
• How can NBS be designed to be resilient to future climate change impacts?

How can multi-stakeholder partnerships enhance the implementation of nature-based solutions?

• What are the roles of governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and local communities in promoting NBS?
• How can partnerships be structured to ensure equitable benefit sharing and sustainable governance?
• What are the challenges and opportunities for international cooperation in implementing NBS?

WGEO Panel Discussion

Background

Biodiversity loss is a major global crisis with far-reaching consequences, including climate change, food insecurity, and human health risks. Protecting biodiversity is essential for building resilience to climate change and ensuring a sustainable future. Recent reports by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) highlight the urgent need for biodiversity conservation and restoration.

In Focus

Biodiversity plays a critical role in climate regulation, carbon sequestration, and ecosystem resilience. Protecting and restoring biodiversity can help to mitigate climate change impacts, such as extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and water scarcity.

Key strategies for biodiversity conservation include:

• Protected areas: Establishing and managing protected areas to conserve ecosystems and species.
• Sustainable land use: Promoting sustainable agriculture, forestry, and land management practices.
• Species conservation: Protecting endangered and threatened species.
• Ecosystem restoration: Restoring degraded ecosystems, such as forests, wetlands, and grasslands.
• Community-based conservation: Empowering local communities to participate in biodiversity conservation efforts.

Questions for Panel Discussion

What are the most critical strategies for protecting biodiversity to enhance climate resilience?

• How can protected areas be effectively managed to conserve biodiversity and mitigate climate change?
• What are the benefits of promoting sustainable land use practices for biodiversity and climate resilience?
• How can species conservation efforts be prioritized to protect key ecosystem services?

How can conservation efforts be aligned with local and global climate action plans?

• How can biodiversity conservation be integrated into national and international climate change policies?
• What are the financial incentives and mechanisms that can support biodiversity conservation?
• How can local communities be empowered to participate in climate-friendly biodiversity conservation efforts?

What role does community involvement play in successful biodiversity conservation initiatives?

• How can indigenous knowledge and traditional practices be incorporated into biodiversity conservation strategies?
• What are the benefits of community-based conservation approaches?
• How can community-based initiatives be supported and scaled up?

WGEO Panel Discussion

Background

The world’s oceans play a crucial role in regulating the climate and providing essential ecosystem services. However, they are facing unprecedented threats from human activities and climate change, including pollution, overfishing, and ocean acidification.

Protecting and restoring marine ecosystems is essential for building climate resilience and ensuring a sustainable future.

Recent reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)[1] highlight the urgent need for ocean conservation and climate action. By protecting marine ecosystems, we can mitigate climate change, adapt to its impacts, and secure a sustainable future for generations to come. 

In Focus

Enhancing ocean resilience and marine conservation requires a multifaceted approach that addresses the root causes of ocean degradation.

Key strategies include:

• Marine protected areas: Establishing and effectively managing marine protected areas to safeguard biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• Sustainable fisheries management: Promoting sustainable fishing practices and reducing overfishing.
• Combatting marine pollution: Addressing plastic pollution, nutrient runoff, and other forms of marine pollution.
• Climate change adaptation: Developing and implementing strategies to help marine ecosystems adapt to climate change impacts, such as ocean acidification and sea-level rise.
• International cooperation: Strengthening international cooperation to address global ocean challenges and promote sustainable marine management.

Questions for Panel Discussion

What strategies are essential for enhancing the resilience of ocean ecosystems?

• How can marine protected areas be effectively managed to protect biodiversity and ecosystem services?
• What are the benefits of sustainable fisheries management and how can it be implemented?
• How can we reduce marine pollution and mitigate its impacts on ocean ecosystems?

How can marine conservation efforts be integrated with broader climate action strategies?

• How can ocean-based climate solutions, such as blue carbon initiatives, contribute to climate mitigation?
• What are the trade-offs and synergies between marine conservation and other climate action priorities?
• How can marine conservation be integrated into national and international climate change policies?

What role does international collaboration play in successful marine conservation and resilience?

• How can international agreements and partnerships promote sustainable ocean management?
• What are the challenges and opportunities for regional cooperation in marine conservation?
• How can developing countries be supported in implementing sustainable marine management practices?

Joint Session by WGEO & MENA Oceans Initiative

Background

The MENA region, with its expansive coastline stretching over 25,000 kilometers, is home to nations that are all coastal economies, strategically positioned along key bodies of water such as the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. This unique geographical advantage places the region at the heart of the global blue economy, with key sectors including, fisheries and aquaculture, maritime transport and logistics, offshore energy and renewables, desalination and water management, coastal tourism, and marine biotechnology.

These sectors not only contribute to economic growth but have also been identified as active drivers to advance environmental sustainability and coastal resilience across the region. Marked by extreme temperatures and climate vulnerabilities, the resilience of these identified sectors and their infrastructure is also increasingly at risk.

In recent years, countries have prioritized the development of sustainable strategies for the oceans, with national strategies now integrating ocean and coastal zone regeneration into broader blue economy development frameworks.

In Focus

To bring forth a global understanding of advancements in dialogues, research and best practices on this critical link between industry and nature, and its relevance for the region – the session will explore the intersection of blue economies and coastal resilience, specifically within the context of urban coastal economies, highlighting how MENA nations can leverage maritime assets and urban planning to build more resilient, sustainable coastal futures.

Bringing together thought leaders and experts across ocean governance, climate financing and the private sector – discussions aim to highlight the pivotal role of the private sector, as well as the importance of strengthened public-private partnerships and innovative financing mechanisms.
Focused on urban coastal cities—key economic drivers across the MENA region—discussions will center on how these partnerships can accelerate progress towards achieving SDG 14, calling for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas, and marine resources.

This session further marks two important milestones:

• The initiation of a strategic partnership between the MENA Oceans and the World
  Green Economy Organization
• The launch of the Blue Economies and Coastal Resilience programme under the MENA
  Oceans Initiative – the outcomes of which are proposed to be a Landscape Analysis of
  key blue economy sectors and a Blueprint for MENA Coastal Cities.

About the MENA Oceans Initiative:

MENA Oceans has been established by Goumbook to drive multilateral efforts that accelerate the pace of regional ocean action, and strengthen thematic regional alliances between diverse stakeholder groups. We lead this Initiative in strategic partnership with the UN Climate Change High Level Champions, the UN-UAE, the World Green Economy Organisation and the UN Ocean Conference.