A reminder that fisheries are a key aspect of both climate mitigation and adaption has been issued to COP30 negotiators.
The International Coalition of Fisheries Associations (ICFA) stressses the fisheries sector’s contribution to mitigating climate change and the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems and fish stocks. Related to both is the critical role blue foods play in global food security and nutrition.
During the 30th Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, nations are expected to deliver more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC’s) and adopt indicators under the Global Goal on Adaptation.
‘Fisheries produce low carbon proteins and lower the overall carbon intensity of the global food system. But ocean ecosystems and fisheries are affected by climate change. We need to prioritise adaptation strategies to ensure resilience and contribute to the sector’s mitigation potential. Global food security, nutrition and the socio-economic well-being of billions are on the line,’ said ICFA chair Ivan Lopez.
In its recent resolution, ICFA is asking parties to recognise that the fisheries sector plays a crucial role in combating climate change, as fisheries products and blue foods have among the lowest carbon footprints of all animal proteins, stating that implementation of NDCs 3.0 should increase the proportion of these products in the global diet to substantially reduce the carbon intensity of the global food system and support achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Parties at COP30 are also asked to take into full consideration the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems, fish stocks and economic activities at sea, and are urged to prioritise adaptation strategies that strengthen the resilience of ocean and fish resources. Better adaptation can contribute to the sector’s mitigation potential.
ICFA wants to see policy makers and the economic sectors, including the fisheries sector, brought together to find pragmatic and implementable solutions to tackle climate change and to adapt to its unavoidable effects.
