Oceans and seas threatened by climate change: Council adopts conclusions

20 Nov 2019 11:43 AM

The Council yesterday adopted conclusions on oceans and seas, stressing that climate change is a direct and existential threat to life in oceans and seas globally. It calls for increased policy action at all levels of government to protect marine and coastal ecosystems. It notes with great concern the warming of European regional seas at a higher pace than average.

EU member states unanimously support ambitious efforts to protect oceans and seas

Member states unanimously stress the need for immediate action against increasing threats on our oceans, seas and coastal areas. The Council invites the Commission to come up with policy options to respond to the alarming findings of the new Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) special report on the ocean and cryosphere in a changing climate.

In its conclusions, the Council underlines the importance of

• sustainably using marine resources
• a sustainable blue economy, and the role of the economic sectors related to oceans, seas and coasts including fisheries, maritime transport and offshore renewable energies
• enhanced coordination in maritime security including circumpolar meteorological and oceanographic cooperation
• protecting the Arctic and the outermost regions and overseas countries and territories, given their specific vulnerability to climate change
• reducing marine litter including plastic waste and microplastics
• ensuring healthy and resilient oceans
• protecting the biodiversity of vulnerable marine and coastal ecosystems
• strengthening research and ocean science.

• Council conclusions on oceans and seas 
• The Council sets out EU position for UN climate conference COP25 (press release, 04/10/2019)
• IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate, September 2019 
• Council conclusions on the revision of the EU maritime security strategy action plan, 26 June 2018 
• Council conclusions on blue growth, 26 June 2017 
• Council conclusions on 'International ocean governance: an agenda for the future of our oceans', 3 April 2017
• Council conclusions on the Arctic, 20 June 2016
• Council conclusions on the Integrated Maritime Policy: achievements and future developments of the maritime agenda for growth and jobs, 24 June 2014

Visit the meeting page

Press contacts

Katharina Pausch-Homblé

Press officer

+32 2 281 62 63
+32 470 88 42 96