17 Nation Join Blue NDC Challenge:
17 countries including France, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, and Singapore—have joined the Blue NDC Challenge at COP30, signalling a major global push to embed ocean-based climate solutions into national climate plans.
- A global initiative encouraging countries to integrate ocean-based climate actions into their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.
- It seeks to close the “ocean opportunity gap,” as oceans contribute only a small share of global climate finance and mitigation plans despite their massive potential.
Key Features:
- Expanded Membership: 17 countries now onboard, including new entrants like Belgium, Canada, Indonesia, and Singapore.
- Ocean Taskforce: Supported by France and Brazil to help governments embed ocean solutions into updated 2030 climate plans.
- Blue Package: A coordinated plan across five Ocean Breakthrough sectors—marine conservation, ocean food systems, offshore renewable energy, shipping decarbonisation, and coastal tourism.
- Focus on Mitigation & Adaptation: Recognises oceans’ potential to deliver up to 35% of global emission reductions needed for the 1.5°C target.
- Finance Mobilisation: Seeks to address chronic underfunding—ocean climate finance is <1% of global climate finance.
- Support for Blue Carbon Pathways: Mangroves, seagrasses, salt marshes integrated into national mitigation and adaptation strategies.
