OSPAR's Quality Status Report 2023 Friday Ocean Findings Issue 30

Every year the ocean absorbs at least a quarter of the carbon dioxide (CO₂) released to the atmosphere from burning of fossil fuels, cement production and land use change. This is driving ocean acidification. In recognition of the urgency and need to address this issue, OSPAR Contracting Parties added climate change and ocean acidification commitments to its North-East Atlantic Environment Strategy 2030.

This issue of Friday Ocean Findings focuses on OSPAR and ocean acidification to mark the publication of our first ever assessment of ocean acidification in the North-East Atlantic. The assessment addresses trends, projections of future acidification, impacts on ecosystems and ecosystem services; and mitigation. This assessment was prepared by our dedicated ocean acidification group of experts led by Jos Schilder (Netherlands) and Evin McGovern (Ireland). Work to disseminate the findings of the assessment has already begun with Evin presenting the findings at the 5th Effects of Climate Change on the World Ocean's conference held in Bergen this week; and Jos due to present at the EU Maritime Day in May.

Ocean Acidification Assessment

Our first ever assessment of ocean acidification in the North-East Atlantic shows that ocean acidification has been observed in all OSPAR Regions during the past decades. It is projected to keep occurring and even accelerate under the higher CO₂ emission scenarios.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Voluntary Commitment on Ocean Acidification

At our Ministerial meeting in Cascais in 2021, OSPAR Contracting Parties agreed a voluntary commitment on ocean acidification (#OceanAction46914).

Ocean Acidification Alliance

In 2023 OSPAR became an affiliate member of the Ocean Acidification Alliance which brings together governments and organisations from across the globe dedicated to taking urgent action to protect coastal communities and livelihoods from the threat of ocean acidification and other climate-ocean impacts.

Further information

For more information on OSPAR's work on ocean acidification please visit our website.

OSPAR Commission
https://www.ospar.org/ | [email protected]
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7430 5200
The Aspect, 12 Finsbury Square, London, EC2A 1AS, United Kingdom

To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please email [email protected]