WASHINGTON – On Thursday, October 24, the United Nations Environment Program released their annual Emissions Gap report, which tracks global progress toward Nationally Determined Contribution goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This year’s report found a lack of emissions cuts since last year, and sent a stark message that meeting a 1.5 degree warming threshold would require “immediate global mobilization on a scale and pace only ever seen following a global conflict.” Anna-Marie Laura, Ocean Conservancy’s Senior Director of Climate Policy, issued the following statement in response: 

“This is scary news for the entire planet – but it doesn’t come as a surprise, and it’s still not too late. World leaders must take dramatic action to move away from fossil fuels and curb climate change. This year, examples of the effects of a warming planet on the ocean have continued to pile up: our ocean has seen historic marine heatwaves, coral bleaching events, and hurricanes.

“The ocean holds the power to act on climate change. Ocean-based climate solutions, like advancing responsible offshore wind and ending offshore oil and gas drilling, could deliver up to one third of the emissions reductions we need to meet our climate goals. America’s offshore wind resources alone could generate five times what the U.S. consumes annually in electricity. 

“In just over two weeks, Ocean Conservancy will be at UNFCCC COP29, where we will be working to ensure that world leaders take this report as the wakeup call that it is for our ocean and planet.

“A global shift to renewable energy will require meaningful financial support, which is why we are calling on delegates to the Climate Conference in Baku to agree on a financial goal that meets the moment and to include ocean-based climate solutions, like responsible offshore wind, in their updated Nationally Determined Contributions. Advancing offshore wind in developing countries is crucial, and just one example of the desperate need for climate finance to ensure the world meets our emission reduction goals, and does so in a just manner.”

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Ocean Conservancy envisions a healthier ocean, protected by a more just world. Ocean Conservancy is working to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together with our partners, we create evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. For more information, visit oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram.