Preamble

Our planet has reached a disastrous milestone. This year 2024 will go down as the hottest year ever recorded, the first to exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. January 2024 marked the warmest month on record, and for the first time, the global average temperature over 12 consecutive months was over 1.5°C above pre-industrial times—a streak that has continued month after month. This trend deeply concerns the future of humanity and all life on Earth.

The consequences of 1.5°C of warming are profound: Over 70% of the world’s coral reefs are projected to die by 2050, risking the $11 trillion in ecosystem services they provide annually through fisheries, tourism, coastal protection, and more. The IPCC warns that rising ocean temperatures will force marine species to migrate to higher latitudes, disrupting delicate ecosystems and threatening biodiversity.

Meanwhile, the Arctic has been warming nearly four to five times faster than the global average over the past 35 years, with Europe now the fastest-warming continent. Polar ice is melting, driving sea levels rise around the world. Already, rising seas are eroding coastlines and contaminating freshwater supplies in many low-lying island nations—some of which may soon become uninhabitable or even disappear entirely.

We need an immediate transformative change. Every one of us, corporations and countries must take responsibility for our carbon footprint. Corporations and governments must commit to accelerating a full transition to renewable energy over the next decade.

To prevent climate catastrophe, we must all act, and we must act with urgency, conviction, and HOPE for a habitable planet for our future loved ones.

In 2023, during the Antarctic Climate Expedition, we documented climate change’s impacts in the remotest region of our planet which offers a unique window into our warming world. Antarctica lies at the heart of the climate crisis and holds the key to solutions and lessons that can be applied globally.

Together, we saw the massive scale of change from the unusually large and wet snowfall in summer to penguin chicks born too late to survive, to rapidly retreating glaciers, to the expanse of snow algae, microplastics in every sample, and unusual rainfall. The next 10 years are critical to changing tipping points into turning points and maintaining a habitable planet for humanity.

The TEAM OF ACE 2023, FROM ACROSS 20 COUNTRIES, ARE UNITED IN A SHARED RESPECT FOR NATURE, IN PARTICULAR, THE OCEAN AS OUR PRIMARY LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM AND CLIMATE ALLY. The need to extend the Antarctic model of a protected global commons, to protect all the High Seas from destructive activities, including industrial fishing and deep-sea mining, is of fundamental importance for a healthy habitable planet.

WE CALL ON NATIONS TO HOLD OCEAN LIFE IN THE SAME REGARD AS WILDLIFE AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN A WARMING WORLD.

Along with this overarching call, WE CALL UPON EVERYONE to use their unique superpowers (knowledge, skills, networks) to TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY ON THE 8 ACE’s RESOLUTIONS GIVEN THEIR SIGNIFICANCE TO DELIVER NET ZERO BY 2035 AND PRESERVE A HEALTHY OCEAN PLANET FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

RESOLUTION #1 - PROTECT MARINE ECOSYSTEMS AND IMPLEMENT 3D AND CLIMATE-SMART PROTECTED AREAS FROM THE SEAFLOOR TO THE SEA SURFACE

CARBON VALUE > 1 gigaton per year

Expanding Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) both horizontally and vertically will ensure that no new greenhouse gas emissions will arise from the loss and damage of marine and coastal ecosystems. This includes enhancing blue carbon potential across coastal and marine zones, expanding no-take zones, and putting an end to extractive activities including industrial fishing. Such protection should also lead to the end of processes that damage or disturb the seafloor and release stored carbon such as deep-sea mining, offshore drilling, and bottom trawling.

More specifically, the proposed steps needed to achieve this resolution are:

• Demand for unanimous agreement for extractive activities in the ocean

• Push governments to deliver the agreed MPA target of protecting at least 30% of ocean and land for nature with full implementation and enforcement by 2030

• Insist that the emerging UN High Seas Protection Treaty is implemented immediately with full implementation and enforcement by 2030

• Mobilise public pressure to end subsidies for industrial fishing by no later than 2030

RESOLUTION #2 - DEMAND THE END OF FOSSIL FUEL EXTRACTION AND USE IN THE OCEAN

CARBON VALUE > 6.3 Billion tonnes per year

Fossil fuels have no place in a healthy ocean. Burning fossil fuels leads to increased ocean temperatures and acidification, and offshore oil and gas activities negatively affect coastal and marine environments (e.g., spills), human health and local economies. Ocean shipping also accounts for nearly three per cent of annual greenhouse gas emissions globally. Rapidly decarbonising ocean-based transport, therefore, offers huge mitigation potential. This includes reducing emissions from both domestic and international shipping to zero by 2050 and will require cargo owners, industry, supply chain partners, and policymakers to take swift and ambitious action to bring zero-carbon shipping solutions to scale. To ensure a healthy ocean, ending exploration and extraction permits for oil and gas, pollution and spillage, and the use of fossil fuels for maritime transport is critical.

More specifically, the proposed steps needed to achieve this resolution are:

• By 2028 Remove fossil fuels from investments in all sectors

• Resource campaigns demanding the urgent end of fossil fuels

• Support swift transition to clean and efficient fuels for maritime applications by 2030

RESOLUTION #3 - DRAW UPON COASTAL STAKEHOLDERS AND INDIGENOUS EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, AND WISDOM IN OCEAN CONSERVATION

CARBON VALUE > 300,00 million tonnes per year

Advancing equity and justice in ocean conservation and meaningfully collaborating with coastal stakeholders and indigenous peoples can strengthen climate mitigation goals. Inequity exists where developed nations are responsible for the climate crisis that disproportionately impacts developing nations and small island states. These regions are home to many of the world’s most vulnerable and historically marginalised people, and much of the world’s most important marine biodiversity. For example, combating industrial fishing and reducing associated emissions will require returning autonomy and decision-making power to the Indigenous, island and coastal communities and increasing the visibility of small-scale and traditional non commercial fishing.

More specifically, the proposed steps needed to achieve this resolution are:

• Collaborate and consult with coastal and indigenous communities

• Amplify and share space with coastal and indigenous voices on the frontlines

• Support existing coastal and indigenous-led marine conservation work

RESOLUTION #4 - CREATE A CIRCULAR ECONOMY AT ALL LEVELS

CARBON VALUE > 1.33 billion tonnes per year

By 2050, the production of new plastic from fossil fuels could consume upwards of 15%% of the total global carbon budget permissible for 1.5C. To avoid climate tipping points, marine species loss, and the melt of Antarctica, it is important to cap annual plastic production with a plan to manage all plastic resources in the next 10-15 years. This includes breaking the habit of single-use consumerism and embracing circularity at all levels tailored for individuals, industry, and government.

More specifically, the proposed steps needed to achieve this resolution are:

• Demand that governments and corporations deliver and strengthen binding Global Plastics Treaty by 2028

• Urge governments and corporations to incentivise waste reduction and proactive redistribution.

RESOLUTION #5 - ACHIEVE RENEWABLE ENERGY PRODUCTION THAT DOES NOT HARM NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS

CARBON VALUE > 0.11 – 1.61 gigaton per year

A global transition to 100% renewable energy is key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, new offshore developments are not always beneficial or suitable for marine environments. To help this transition, we must work towards utilising energy from existing and responsibly sited renewable energy projects that minimise damage to the marine environment and support research to inform sustainable offshore energy projects where appropriate.

More specifically, the proposed steps needed to achieve this resolution are:

• Mandate increased incentives for renewable energy production that does not harm our natural environment and ecosystems immediately

RESOLUTION #6- COMMUNICATE THE URGENCY OF THE OCEAN-CLIMATE CRISIS IN WAYS THAT LEAD TO ACTION

CARBON VALUE > 3 tonnes per person per year

Effective climate change communication can contribute to wide-scale behaviour change, which could reduce up to 30% of emissions globally within the next decade. Yet, current communication strategies are failing to reach broad audiences. Thus, evidence-based and innovative climate communication and education strategies are needed to reach climate goals. This includes ensuring that communication and engagement strategies are informed by environmental social science and behaviour research.

More specifically, the proposed steps needed to achieve this resolution are:

• Identify and listen to affected stakeholders

• Engage key stakeholders in crafting messages and actions

• Test and evaluate message effectiveness

• Identify trusted messengers and clear calls to action

• Diversify communication channels

RESOLUTION #7 -Reduce Wastage and Maximise Food Proficiencies

CARBON VALUE > 2.2 billion tonnes per year

Food loss and waste are among the largest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions. Disposal of food waste in the ocean can also negatively impact marine food chains, and contribute to eutrophication, potentially minimising blue carbon benefits. Though a large percentage of food waste occurs at the household level, minimising food loss and waste from all stages of production, distribution, retail, and consumption is critical. This will require a coordinated effort from consumers, the government, supermarkets, manufacturers, restaurants, and producers. In low- and middle-income countries, the problem is largely one of loss, as food fails to make it out of the production and transportation stages. Waste among retailers and consumers is a bigger issue in higher-income countries.

The proposed steps needed to achieve this resolution are:

• Advocate for regulations to track and measure the food production and supply chains, incentivising waste reduction and proactive redistribution.

• Educate the public and businesses to source foods locally, reduce overconsumption, and preserve foods responsibly.

• Educate the public about alternative sustainable food sources, encouraging individuals to adopt earth and ocean-friendly diets to reduce carbon impact.

• Recognize that “seafood” largely consists of ocean wildlife consumed as a luxury choice.

• Recognize that about 30% of captured ocean wildlife, including most of the krill and squid from Antarctic waters, are used to feed farmed animals including farmed fish.

RESOLUTION #8 - EMPOWER YOUTH AND CREATE SPACE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION TO LEAD

CARBON VALUE > IMMEASURABLE

Many youths are already leading. It is time to give them a seat at the table. This includes collaborating and co-creating initiatives and projects across all generations, providing support, including mental health support for climate-induced anxiety, and developing opportunities for youths to excel and lead.

More specifically, the proposed steps needed to achieve this resolution are:

• Include youth voices in making policy and decision processes

• Embed ocean and climate literacy in formal and informal education channels

• Offer intergenerational support and development opportunities for young and culturally diverse people

• Facilitate and foster international and intercultural youth exchange

*Global energy-related CO2 emissions grew in 2022 by 0.9%, (321 million tonnes) reaching a new high of more than 36.8 billion metric tonnes (GtCO₂) (IEA.org)

**Note: The potential emissions reductions identified in this document are estimates based on several sources (below) and are to be used as a guide.

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