Blue NDC Challenge: Brazil and France Lead Global Push to Center Oceans in Climate Action Ahead of COP30

ProdEgyIAS
June 12, 2025

Relevance: GS III Environment and Ecology

Why in News

Australia, Fiji, Kenya, Mexico, Palau, and Seychelles are among the first eight nations to join the project, in addition to Brazil and France.

Brazil and France launch Blue NDC Challenge to promote ocean-centered climate action before COP30 — Leaders from Brazil and France announce the Blue NDC Challenge to elevate oceans in global climate policy

Regarding the Blue NDC Challenge

In advance of COP30, it urges all nations to prioritize the ocean in their NDCs. The Ocean & Climate Platform, Ocean Conservancy, and the World Resources Institute, via the Ocean Resilience and Climate Alliance (ORCA), are all supporting this initiative.

The ocean serves as a major carbon sink, absorbing around 30% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions. Coastal habitats, such as seagrass beds and mangroves, sequester carbon at up to four times the rate of terrestrial forests.
About 90% of the surplus heat produced by greenhouse gas emissions is captured by heat regulation. Offshore wind energy has the potential to supply more than one-third of the world’s electrical demands.

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International Efforts to Preserve Ocean Environments

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are areas set aside for conservation that impose restrictions on activities in order to safeguard marine life.

In order to reverse ocean decline and advance sustainable development, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) seeks to advance ocean science.
Indian initiatives, such as the Deep Ocean Mission and MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes).

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Q. With reference to the Blue NDC Challenge, consider the following statements:

It is an initiative launched ahead of COP30 to integrate ocean priorities into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
The initiative is supported by ORCA, which includes organizations like Ocean Conservancy and the World Resources Institute.
It is a legally binding treaty under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a)

Practice Question: Examine the role of oceans as natural climate regulators. How can coastal ecosystems like mangroves and seagrass beds contribute to carbon sequestration more effectively than terrestrial forests?

Source: UNOC3: Brazil and France launch initiative to encourage ocean-focused action in national climate plans ahead of UNFCCC COP 30, six countries join

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