News: Recently, Brazil and France launched Blue Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Challenge initiative at the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) to dramatically scale up ocean-focused climate action. Blue NDC Challenge.
About Blue NDC Challenge
- It is a global initiative launched by Brazil and France on June 9, 2025, at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France.
- It is aligned with Ocean Breakthroughs under the Marrakech Partnership.
- Aim: To place the ocean at the center of national climate strategies (Nationally Determined Contributions – NDCs).
- Institutional Support and Partnerships: It is being supported by: Ocean Conservancy, World Resources Institute (WRI), Ocean & Climate Platform, Ocean Resilience and Climate Alliance (ORCA) and NDC Partnership
- Founding countries: Brazil and France.
- Eight inaugural participants: Australia, Fiji, Kenya, Mexico, Palau and Republic of Seychelles
Objectives of the Blue NDC Challenge
- Integrate ocean-based mitigation and adaptation in updated NDCs under the Paris Agreement.
- Highlight the climate-regulating role of oceans.
- Support resilient, net-zero, and nature-positive development by 2050.
- Mobilize global cooperation and ambition for ocean-climate solutions.
Key Areas of Ocean-Based Climate Action
- Marine Ecosystem Restoration and Conservation: Protecting and restoring mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrasses, and expand Marine Protected Areas to safeguard biodiversity and support carbon sequestration.
- Marine Spatial Planning and Coastal Management: Integrated, climate-smart planning can guide sustainable coastal development and reduce climate risks.
- Clean Ocean Energy: Nations can scale up offshore wind, wave, and tidal energy while phasing out offshore oil and gas production.
- Climate-Resilient Fisheries and Aquaculture: Strengthening sustainability and adaptive practices will help secure ocean health and food security.
- Decarbonization of Marine Sectors: Reducing emissions from shipping and seafood industries is key to achieving ocean-related climate goals.
