Since the end of COP21 and the integration of the climate objectives concerning the ocean in the Paris Agreement, there seems to be a real awareness of ocean protection. Various indicators in the recent months have proved this, among them the mentioning of “blue growth” in the first plan of environmental negotiations. A return to the meaning of this new concept and about what it practically adds to the facts.
2e conférence nationale de l’#Océan au ministère, retrouvez le programme ici : https://t.co/g5VXsbOcxo #COP21 pic.twitter.com/RP1KGDjfjf
— Ségolène Royal (@RoyalSegolene) 8 avril 2016
What is blue growth ?
The ocean as a driving force of economy is the concept of “blue growth”, which Ségolène Royal, the French minister for the environment, energy and the seas, promoted at the second ocean conference held in Paris in early April. The concept of “blue growth” is a long term strategy aiming at a sustainable growth in the marine and coastal sectors, recognizing that the seas and oceans are driving forces of the European economy and that they have an important potential – if it they are protected. The main objective thus is to optimize sustainable growth, while respecting climatic, oceanographic, economic, cultural and social factors. The strategy consists of three parts: improve access to information about the sea, pay attention to an efficient and sustainable management of activities related to the sea, and improve the authorities’ consciousness of what is going on in the seas.
Moratorium of offshore permissions in the Mediterranean
In this context, Ségolène Royal has announced that she “will no longer agree with any permission for exploration, neither in the waters nor in the territory of France“, explaining that “considering the dramatic consequences which would be about to affect the whole Mediterranean ecosystem in the case of an accident in oil drilling” it would be necessary “to apply an immediate moratorium on the search for oil in the Mediterranean“.
#Pétrole offshore : @RoyalSegolene décrète un moratoire en Méditerranée https://t.co/qg363NeonO — Novethic (@Novethic) 11 avril 2016
A serious insight
During the last months, the oceans have become subject to a significant awareness among citizens, but also in international negotiations. It seems that the numerous claims have been heard, and that the ocean have finally found its place in the fight against climate change.
- Adding the ocean matter to the Paris agreement was a first big step towards the creation of awareness.
- Second, the call by Ségolène Royal of a certain willingness to develop a so-called blue growth has confirmed previous declarations. Consequently, the oceans will be the centre of everyone’s attention and subject of research projects and important conferences.
- Also, as we have recently informed you, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change plans to dedicate a whole part of its third report to the relationship between climate change and the ocean.
- At last, during the ratification of the Paris Agreement in New York on 22nd April 2016, a day was dedicated to the oceans and climate with the program of a conference on “The oceans, a solution to climate chance and sustainable development“. A representative of the Platform on Oceans and Climate was also present today at the conference and will be present tomorrow next to Ségolène Royal for the ratification of the Paris agreement.
Only 2 days left before the signing ceremony of the #ParisAgreement in New York @UN #COP21 https://t.co/1VM4y6bmV1 pic.twitter.com/28sx3cNssv
— COP21 – Paris 2015 (@COP21) 20 avril 2016
In the continuity of the Paris Climate Conference and with regard to the ambitious targets that have been set, it is necessary to contribute to mitigating climate change by identifying solutions and by realizing actions promoting a sustainable development of the ocean and of all the economic activities affecting it. Blue growth is on its way. We keep it on target and we hope that more precise measures will be taken in this concern.
Léa Daulan, Environment Editor
