Ocean Action Hub

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Celebrating innovation and entrepreneurship

Gathering more than 2000 participants and viewers online, the UNDP World Oceans Day 2021 event “A Conversation with the 2020 UNDP Ocean Innovators” highlighted a suite of inspirational ocean protection and restoration projects the UNDP is supporting through the Ocean Innovation Challenge.

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Gathering more than 2000 participants and viewers online, the UNDP World Oceans Day 2021 event “A Conversation with the 2020 UNDP Ocean Innovators” highlighted a suite of inspirational ocean protection and restoration projects the UNDP is supporting through the Ocean Innovation Challenge. These innovations were selected through the OIC’s 2020 global call for proposals on SDG 14.1, reduce marine pollution, that received over 600 submissions from a wide range of public, private, and civil society stakeholders.

Three OIC projects seek to introduce national level Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes to close the loop on ocean plastics pollution by shifting the burden from consumers and municipalities to the plastics producing companies:

Read about the other projects in the full article here: https://oceaninnovationsandactions.exposure.co/celebrating-innovation-an...

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UNDP SIDS Bulletin Issue 42 | July 2021

In this issue, read the following feature stories, as well as other related documents and reports, events and opportunities, on the ocean:

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This week, the 2021 High Level Political forum (HLPF) kicked off virtually. This year’s theme is: “Sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that promotes the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development: building an inclusive and effective path for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda in the context of the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development". 

This theme hits home for SIDS, where the impacts of the pandemic have created a ripple effect, affecting every aspect of their development. SIDS do not have the luxury of time; and have been raising their voices during the HLPF, bringing the climate emergency, vaccine equity, access to finance, building forward differently and innovatively. As we are at a tipping point in our human history, we need integrated, bold, and intelligent choices by everyone, most importantly by decision makers, because these choices will define the wellbeing of people and planet for generations to come. 

Right now, the greatest Achilles heel to the global economic recovery is the growing number of countries that are potentially facing debt distress. Moreover, few institutions have supported SIDS in mitigating the impact of the pandemic, with only 4% of available COVID-19 funding for developing countries being spent on SIDS. This call is being echoed in the official meeting taking place this morning, “Coming together to help Small island Developing States to get on a path to realize the SDGs” where high government officials reiterated the need for a metric that takes into account the multidimensional and cross-sectoral vulnerability of SIDS, and called for tangible and  swift action to build resilience at speed and at scale. 

Here are some ocean related highlights from this issue:

Read the full article here: https://mailchi.mp/75935db9accc/undp-sids-bulletin-issue-10383865

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UNDP SIDS Bulletin Issue 40 | June 2021

In this issue, read the following feature stories, as well as other related documents and reports, events and opportunities, on the ocean:

  • SIDS urge the global community to come together to address the biggest challenge of the oceans
  • BlueDIGITAL to redesign MSME's traditional model and bridge the digital divide for bluer and greener future
  • Building back bluer: How blue financing can sustain community-led marine conservation in Fiji 
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This week, we also celebrated  World Oceans Day 2021 and the kick-off of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, these occasions remind us of the economic, social and cultural significance of our oceans.  For SIDS as Large Ocean States, this holds particularly true. As stewards of ocean conservation and frontrunners of ambitious climate action, SIDS continue to show leadership in amplifying global action. In a recent demonstration of this, Ambassador Walton Alfonso Webson of Antigua and Barbuda, AOSIS Chair, is leading a coalition of 76 states to call for the Oceans Day Plastic Pollution Declaration, a new, legally binding global agreement on plastic pollution. Learn more below. Explore the 40th issue of the SIDS bulletin to learn how SIDS are harnessing the opportunities of the Blue Economy for an inclusive, green recovery and more!

Here are some ocean related highlights from this issue:

  • SIDS urge the global community to come together to address the biggest challenge of the oceans
  • BlueDIGITAL to redesign MSME's traditional model and bridge the digital divide for bluer and greener future
  • Building back bluer: How blue financing can sustain community-led marine conservation in Fiji 
  • Pursuing decisive and collaborative climate action is key in addressing ocean-driven security challenges in the Pacific 
  • Why fostering ocean science is critical in securing a sustainable ocean future in Pacific SIDS
  • A total investment in nature of US$8.1 trillion is required by 2050, how can we achieve this goal?
  • The Value of Coral Reefs: Mobilizing action #ForCoral can deliver benefits of US$2.7 trillion

Read the full issue here: https://mailchi.mp/c9270ef2f4ef/undp-sids-bulletin-issue-10245509 

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Monitoring climate adaptation in Guatemala’s marine coastal zones
14 Dec 2020 - Oceans are acutely sensitive to climate change. Guatemala's new monitoring system will track changes in sea level and water temperature, fish catch and reef health.
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14 Dec 2020 - Oceans are acutely sensitive to climate change. Guatemala's new monitoring system will track the changes, from sea level and water temperature, to fish catch and reef health. 

With around one-third of Guatemala cloaked in tropical rainforest, and dozens of volcanoes and UNESCO World Heritage sites, the “land of many trees,” is rightly famous for its life on land.

Yet this picture reveals only part of Guatemala's riches. Below the ocean surface is a world of immense abundance and importance.

The oceans on either side of the country are national and international treasures. Home to thousands of species, they play a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate system, while also providing essential goods and services for sustaining human health and wellbeing: food, clean air and water, and livelihoods

The impacts of climate change on Guatemala's coasts

According to Germanwatch’s Global Climate Risk Index, Guatemala ranked 16th in the world for countries most affected by extreme weather events in the 20-year period 1999 to 2018.

Particularly vulnerable are the Pacific and Caribbean marine coastal zones, which straddle either side of the country (represented on the national flag by two blue stripes).

Here, the fingerprints of climate change are evident: rising sea levels, changing weather patterns, and other impacts are directly affecting communities, ecosystems, and the economy.

The implications are considerable. These zones – which include over 120,000 km2 of marine space, greater than the land area of Guatemala – directly and indirectly support the livelihoods of 25 percent of the country’s population.

They represent economic activities of great national significance – for example, tourism, fishing and aquaculture, subsistence and export crop farming, and ports.

CONTINUE READING ONLINE HERE: https://undp-climate.exposure.co/monitoring-climate-adaptation-in-guatamala-marine-coastal-zones

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How small islands can reimagine tourism for a green recovery

11 Nov 2020 - Innovation and digital transformation; Communities first and responsible tourism

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11 Nov 2020 - Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have experienced great success in expanding their tourism industries, particularly over the past 10 years. The industry is an economic lifeline and driver of development for many SIDS. Their rich biodiversity and beautiful ecosystems attracted around 44 million visitors in 2019. However, global travel restrictions imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic have devastated SIDS’ economies. Compared to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), export revenues from tourism represent about nine percent of SIDS economies. In countries like St. Lucia and Palau, tourism revenues make up 98 and 88 percent of total exports respectively.

It is a vital source of revenue for community livelihoods, disaster recovery, biodiversity and cultural heritage preservation. The sharp decline in international tourism is having a significant macroeconomic impact on island states. SIDS are facing a 3.6 percent decline in GDP in 2020, a rate much greater than the global average. Many SIDS, particularly in the Caribbean, are heavily dependent on export revenues from tourism to service their heavy debt burdens. Debt that is primarily a result of their disproportionate vulnerability to climate change. Many are now facing debt to GDP ratios over the thresholds for sustainable debt defined by the International Monetary Foundation. SIDS leaders have expressed the severity of the situation, warning that what was a crisis of liquidity is evolving into a solvency crisis.

The sudden decline in visitors has left many SIDS without a key revenue source to sustain the welfare of locals. The industry is a major source of both formal and informal employment across SIDS. In Caribbean island states, tourism accounts for 27 percent of employment, while in Atlantic Indian Ocean and South China Sea (AIS) and the Pacific regions these levels are 24 and 20 percent respectively. The job losses occurring as a result of the crisis are impacting the most vulnerable workers, including those dependent on micro, small and medium enterprises as well as women (54 percent of global tourism employment) and young people.

CONTINUE READING ONLINE HERE: https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/blog/2020/how-can-small-islands-reimagine-tourism-for-a-green-recovery.html

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Splendor of the living mangrove

13 Aug 2020 - In Cuba, ecosystem-based adaptation is a cost-effective way to preserve and restore natural habitats and protect coastal communities.

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“We ourselves were destroying this world, but now we have a project of environmental education, we work with all the schools and are linked to the population. Here you can breathe a healthy world.” —María Teresa, 54, Mayabeque Province, Cuba

Nature, now more than ever, needs us to pay attention to its warning signals and to take care of it, so it can take care of us.  

María Teresa, 54, is the administrator of the protected area of the Gulf of Batabanó, in Mayabeque, Cuba. She knows that in Cuba, loss and damage to protective mangroves makes coastal communities vulnerable.

CONTINUE READING ONLINE HERE: https://undp-climate.exposure.co/splendor-of-the-living-mangrove?source=share-undp-climate

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Ending Plastic Pollution Innovation Challenge in ASEAN

21 Jul 2020 - Applications are open!

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21 Jul 2020 - Applications are open! Apply to the ASEAN-wide EPPIC competition with your innovative solution to plastic pollution for a chance to receive $18,000 funding and support from UNDP.

Deadline: 20 August 2020

Apply here: http://plasticchallenge.undp.org.vn

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Time for Nature: A youth video campaign

25 Jun 2020 - We stand with young people. And we want to ensure their voices are heard. It's time to #SaveOurOcean.

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25 Jun 2020 - We stand with young people. And we want to ensure their voices are heard. It's time to #SaveOurOcean.

Share a video using hashtag #ForNature and tags @UNDP and @UNEP and tell the world why it’s time #ForNature.

Full details: http://https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/time-for-nature.html

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The sea is the future

24 Jun 2020 - From illegal fisher, to reformed leader, fostering coastal and marine protection through a sea change of partnerships, empowerment and inclusion.

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24 Jun 2020 - From illegal fisher, to reformed leader, fostering coastal and marine protection through a sea change of partnerships, empowerment and inclusion.

The Philippines is a major fishing nation, on which the livelihoods of more than 35 million people directly rely. Ocean health is key for the planet and its people to thrive.

For Quirsito ‘Bok’ Cajegas, a fisher in Davao Gulf, Philippines, staunch advocacy of marine conservation comes with the territory.

But it wasn’t always this way.



Before his reformation, Bok was a self-described illegal fisher. For 23 years, Bok employed illicit compressor fishing methods, and once opposed the establishment of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Barangay Bato Sta Cruz, Davao del Sur.

CONTINUE READING ONLINE HERE: https://undp-biodiversity.exposure.co/the-sea-is-the-future

Image: Philippine fisher compressor diving, Photo credit: Alex Hofford

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The Ocean is our Storekeeper - Kiribati

9 Jun 2020 - Climate-resilient farming promotes food security in the outer islands of Kiribati. People living on the Abemama atoll of Kiribati are surrounded by warming seas.

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9 Jun 2020 - Climate-resilient farming promotes food security in the outer islands of Kiribati. People living on the Abemama atoll of Kiribati are surrounded by warming seas. For fishers like Teboboua, this means scarcer, smaller fish, and even more challenges in finding enough food to feed his family. For every I-Kiribati, ocean health is imperative for survival.

"Without a quality ocean environment, we are less likely to survive" - Teboboua Biribo.

Teboboua, aged 62, was born and raised in Abemama, Kiribati. With five children and an equal number of grandchildren, he emigrated from Abemama in 1995 in search of work, and returned in 2017.



"Upon my return with my family, I have learnt that climate change is a real issue that has threatened many lives throughout Kiribati. I have seen huge differences in Abemama compared to how it was in my youth."

CONTINUE READING ONLINE HERE: https://undp-climate.exposure.co/the-ocean-is-our-store-keeper

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