UNESCO report: Major gaps in ocean carbon research could call into question global climate predictions

A new report from UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) reveals important gaps in the understanding of how the oceans absorb and store carbon. This stark uncertainty about the planet’s largest carbon sink compromises the reliability of current climate predictions and undermines our ability to develop effective mitigation and adaptation strategies in the coming decades. The report also lays out a roadmap for increasing international cooperation, improving ocean carbon tracking, and updating climate models accordingly.

“The ocean is one of our greatest climate allies, absorbing a large part of the carbon we emit. However, we still need to have a full understanding of how this natural defense works or how long it can last. Coordinated monitoring of carbon uptake in the ocean is therefore essential and urgent. This report reaffirms UNESCO’s commitment to support Member States in developing climate policies based on sound science to advance this goal,” said Khaled El-Enany, Director-General of UNESCO.

The ocean is storing around 25% of global CO₂ emissions. However, according to the new report coordinated by IOC-UNESCO, there are still significant gaps in our scientific understanding of this process, with variations large enough to significantly affect the way governments plan climate mitigation and adaptation strategies.

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