Small Island Nations: How Oceans Offer Solutions to Climate Change

A new analysis reveals how small island developing states are harnessing the oceans for climate action, and calls for more global support to accelerate momentum.

The oceans, which have absorbed 90% of excess heat from greenhouse gas emissions over the past 50 years, are critical in the global fight against climate change. This is especially true for the world’s 39 Small Island Developing States (SIDS), as the oceans account for 70% of their biosphere. In a new report released as a follow-up to the COP29 climate summit, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) delves into 606 ocean-related actions outlined by SIDS in their most recent national climate action plans, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Under the Paris Agreement, countries update their NDCs every five years with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Two rounds of NDCs have been submitted so far. The next one is scheduled for early 2025. “Given the high dependence and close relationship of SIDS and oceans, strategies to harness sustainable marine ecosystems for their environmental and economic stability will be crucial to the success of future NDCs,” says David Vivas Eugui, who leads UN Trade and Development’s work on oceans and the circular economy.

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