The different segments focused on the impacts of climate change on the ocean and coasts on a global scale, what data and ocean observation systems are needed to effectively monitor these impacts, how to organize international scientific research around these issues, and proposals to foster science-policy synergies to build a post-COP21 strategy for ocean and climate research. An emphasis was put on Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Representatives from UN agencies, SIDS, international scientific bodies and experts provided answers and recommendations. Among them were notably Vladimir Ryabinin, IOC Executive Secretary; Peter Haugan, Chair of IOC Executive Council; Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO); Serge Planes from the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS); Kosi Latu, incoming Director-General of the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme; and Raphaël Cuvelier from the Foundation Albert II of Monaco. Françoise Gaill, Scientific Coordinator of the Ocean and Climate Platform, moderated the event.

Underlining the need to build Member States’ capacity to implement policy actions and to monitor the impacts of climate change, Vladimir Ryabinin called for the strengthening of the Global Ocean Observing System. “There has been scientific progress in understanding how important the ocean is for the climate, and vice versa, but we need capacity to transform this data into relevant information and most importantly, into policies. This is what we are doing with the Transboundary Waters Assessment Programme and OceanTeacher Global Academy.”

He also announced that IOC would provide scientific support towards the implementation of targets included in Sustainable Development Goal 14, which commits Member States to “conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development” and “strengthen their resilience”.

Michel Jarraud focused his intervention on WMO’s long-term and “very natural” collaboration with IOC, especially in terms of the interface between atmosphere and ocean. “The Joint Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM) was the first of its kind within the UN system, a precursor showing that combining the expertise and technological capabilities of two organizations adds value to the implementation of concrete services, such as observing systems.”

He mentioned other advances in technology for monitoring the climate, for example IOC’s Argo Programme, which allows scientists to obtain a 3D picture of the ocean, essential to climate modeling.

Serge Planes highlighted the value and evolution of coral reefs, the largest biological construction of the planet with 30% of total known marine biodiversity. “Though they only represent 0.1% of the ocean surface, their value is estimated at around 30 billion dollars a year, notably through tourism, and 500 million humans (8% of world’s population) are directly dependent. But 20% of coral reefs are already lost, and 25% are under high threat because of sea level rise, acidification, coral bleaching, and increase in temperature.”

Kosi Latu stressed the importance of more research in order to help SIDS better adapt to climate change: “We already receive some assistance in ocean observation, but we need a more elaborate system to inform decision-makers, understand issues, and enable us to adapt. Support for accurate and timely multi-hazard early warning systems is critical because natural disasters are not only happening more frequently, they are becoming more intense.”

He also noted the need for public-private partnerships in order to foster philanthropy around the ocean and climate.

Raphaël Cuvelier dedicated his presentation to the demand formulated by Monaco, with the support of many countries, for an IPCC Special Report on the ocean. Such document would help provide a state of the scientific knowledge related to the interactions between ocean and climate, identify new scientific gaps, and provide an accurate and comprehensive state of the impacts and solutions.

Peter Haugan concluded the event by underlining the increasing pressure on the ocean: “We need more food, renewable energy, better marine transport – all the more reasons to invest in ocean observation and science. We only have one planet and one ocean, we need to protect them. In that sense, it is good that IOC is part of UNESCO because we can develop education activities to promote ocean-related affairs and ocean literacy.”

The “Ocean and Climate Moment” acted as a follow-up to the celebration of World Oceans Day organized on 8 June 2015 at UNESCO Headquarters, and to all of the ocean-themed events taking place during COP21, such as the Ocean and Climate Forum and the Oceans Day at COP21.