COP16 delivers mixed results for the ocean

Grey whale (Eschrichtius robustus) calf in the El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve, Baja California, Mexico © naturepl.com / Claudio Contreras / WWF

by Pepe Clarke, Oceans Practice Leader, WWF International 

Countries celebrated significant breakthroughs on two important, long-debated ocean-related technical decisions, but failed to reach consensus on the resource mobilization and review mechanisms needed to drive progress for the ocean across the Global Biodiversity Framework.

Ecologically or biologically significant marine areas 

Following extensive talks, government negotiators at COP16 adopted a long awaited decision on ecologically or biologically significant marine areas (EBSAs). Eight years in the making, this decision establishes a new framework for mapping and updating marine areas vital for the health of the ocean, based on scientific criteria. This was a significant achievement by COP 16, and will be crucial  to the achievement of multiple Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework targets.

To date, over 300 EBSAs have been identified, including biologically diverse, sensitive and productive ecosystems and vital feeding and breeding habitats for marine species. Mapping these areas will inform science-based measures to conserve, restore and manage marine ecosystems, and is a key milestone on the path to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030. 

Priorities for marine, coastal and island conservation

Countries also adopted a decision on marine, coastal and island conservation priorities, with a focus on issues not sufficiently addressed by existing decisions and programs of work under the GBF. Issues identified by parties as a priority for the CBD Secretariat include ecosystem restoration, nature-based solutions, pollution and reform of environmentally harmful incentives. It is imperative that Parties implement their existing commitments, and that further guidance and commitments are put in place to address these new areas identified under the marine, coastal and island conservation and sustainable use decision.

Countries fail to reach consensus on resource mobilization and review mechanism

WWF's Living Planet Report 2024 found that marine species populations have declined by 56% since 1970. Nature is in peril.

Halting and reversing the loss of nature in the ocean demands progress across the Global Biodiversity Framework, including habitat protection, sustainable fisheries, species recovery, pollution control, climate mitigation and adaptation, subsidy reform and resource mobilization.

For this reason, it was profoundly disappointing that parties were unable to reach consensus on the resource mobilization and accountability mechanisms needed to drive progress for the ocean across the Global Biodiversity Framework. 

Governments demonstrated real ambition when they adopted the GBF in 2022. But without funding and accountability, lofty ambition isn't enough to bring nature back from the brink. Failure to reach agreement on these fundamental issues undermines the whole intention of the Global Biodiversity Framework – to protect and restore our planet’s life-support system. 

If countries reconvene as expected soon to address these and other key outstanding issues, such as the approval of the Secretariat’s budget, they must come prepared to deliver on their promises. We have no time to waste. 

Protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030

The Protected Planet Report 2024 released at COP16 provides a sobering assessment of the scale of action needed to effectively protect 30% of the ocean by 2030.

Since 2000, the extent of marine protected areas worldwide increased from 400 million hectares to 3 billion hectares, a testament to the concerted efforts of political leaders, conservationists, communities and donors.

However, at only 8.4% of the ocean, current levels of protection remain far too low, and progress has slowed substantially over the past five years. Globally, the rate of MPA establishment has dropped 75%, from 263 million hectares per year (2015-19) to 67 million hectares per year (2020-25).

Countries must accelerate progress toward 30% ocean protection by establishing ecologically representative, effectively managed and equitably governed networks of MPAs in national waters, and move swiftly to ratify and implement the UN High Seas Treaty.

To protect 30% of the ocean by 2030, countries will need to intensify efforts to ensure the High Seas Treaty enters into force and is implemented, so the first generation of global high seas MPAs can come to fruition. For this reason, WWF warmly welcomed a commitment at COP16 by leading philanthropies to deliver $51.7 million to accelerate the creation of marine protected areas in the high seas.