Webinar. Ocean Accounts as a Foundation for Climate Action: From Commitments to Implementation

Wednesday 14 May 13:00 and 23:00 AEST

The relationship between the ocean and climate system is undeniable and increasingly central to international climate policy discussions. Anthropogenic climate change is driving unprecedented changes in the marine environment, including ocean warming, acidification, deoxygenation, and sea-level rise. These shifts threaten marine biodiversity and profoundly impact coastal communities. Protecting the ocean is thus a fundamental necessity for climate stability and human well-being.  

Recent analysis shows that ocean-based solutions could reduce the emissions gap — the difference between emissions expected if current trends and policies continue and emissions consistent with limiting global temperature increase — by up to 35% if the target is keeping temperature rise by 2050 to 1.5 degrees C, or by about 47% on a 2 degree C pathway. Read the report here and watch video The Ocean as a Solution to Climate Change.

Nationally determined contributions (NDCs) are one of the main mechanisms under the Paris Agreement for countries to communicate their national climate strategies, providing a pivotal opportunity to ensure ocean-based climate solutions (both for mitigation and adaptation) are included in national strategies to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. 

However the 2023 Global Stocktake highlighted significant gaps in ocean-climate action, spurring countries to strengthen ocean components in their new or updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) communicated this year. 

Ahead of the Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue (at Bonn Climate Change Conference) in June, experts from the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP), UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform (CSDR) and UNFCCC Secretariat (UN Climate Change) provided an update on how the ocean is being integrated into the latest round of NDCs and how ocean accounts can provide a foundation for implementation of these new targets and policies in the coming years.

The Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue will take place from 16-26 June 2025 as part of the UNFCCC’s 62nd Subsidiary Bodies (SBs) meeting (Bonn Climate Change Conference) in Bonn, Germany.

Oceania, Asia and the Pacific Session

Speakers

Lisama Sabry

Ocean Accounts Fellow (based in Maldives)

Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP)

With over a decade of experience in conservation, Lisama has been instrumental in updating the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and serves as the National Focal Point for several key environmental conventions. She is committed to advancing ocean accounting and sustainable marine resource management in the Maldives.

Jessica Pingkan

Blue Carbon Program Manager

Rekam Nusantara Foundation, Indonesia

Expert in GIS and remote sensing, with over eight years of experience in marine spatial planning and conservation. Now, she leads the development and implementation of nature-based solutions to address climate change through coastal ecosystem protection and restoration. Jessica works closely with communities, NGOs, and government partners to align local action with national and international climate goals.

Eliza Northrop

GOAP Secretariat Director

The Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP)

International environmental lawyer specialising in ocean-climate solutions for zero-carbon transitions, sustainable ocean planning, natural resources governance. and policy and indigenous rights.

Jordan Gacutan

Senior Research Fellow

Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP) Secretariat

Bridging science / policy through evidence for environmental-economic accounts, MSP, plastic pollution. Background in GIS, stats, natural capital and ecosystem services.

Europe, Africa and North America Session

Speakers

Lisama Sabry

Ocean Accounts Fellow (based in Maldives)

Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP)

With over a decade of experience in conservation, Lisama has been instrumental in updating the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and serves as the National Focal Point for several key environmental conventions. She is committed to advancing ocean accounting and sustainable marine resource management in the Maldives.

Jessica Pingkan

Blue Carbon Program Manager

Rekam Nusantara Foundation, Indonesia

Expert in GIS and remote sensing, with over eight years of experience in marine spatial planning and conservation. Now, she leads the development and implementation of nature-based solutions to address climate change through coastal ecosystem protection and restoration. Jessica works closely with communities, NGOs, and government partners to align local action with national and international climate goals.

Angelique Pouponneau

Ocean - Lead Negotiator

Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS)

International environmental law, legislative design for sustainable ocean economy, climate and ocean governance multilateral negotiations, and sustainable finance and blended finance mechanisms.

Jasdeep Randhawa

Ocean Lead

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat (UN Climate Change)

International environmental lawyer and policy specialist with international experience in negotiation & mediation, the ocean and climate change, transboundary cooperation, water security, climate law, urbanization, federalism, power mapping, rule of law, human rights, leadership theory, foresight analysis, policy influencing, constitutional law.

Eliza Northrop

GOAP Secretariat Director

The Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP)

International environmental lawyer specialising in ocean-climate solutions for zero-carbon transitions, sustainable ocean planning, natural resources governance. and policy and indigenous rights.

Questions?

Please contact GOAP Secretariat Director, Eliza Northrop (e.northrop@unsw.edu.au) if you have any questions.