Photo : Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP
IN FOCUS
By Padmashree Anandhan
The One Ocean Summit 2022: EU’s pledges and Four takeaways
On 11 February, leaders and representatives from 100 countries attended the One Ocean summit. Hosting the summit, theFrench President, Emmanuel Macron, said: “a decisive year, and we should take here, in Brest, clear and firm commitments.” The Brest summit brought out ways to deal with the threats to the ocean, such as overfishing, plastic pollution, use of carbon-intensive fuels, and how countries can commit to the measures to preserve the ocean.
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who spoke at the summit, highlighted three critical areas of cooperation to conserve the oceans: “a new international coalition to protect biodiversity on high seas, which constitute 95 per cent of the ocean; a major computing project allowing researchers to digitally simulate the world’s oceans; and the EU’s research mission to restore our ocean and waters by 2030.”
On the same day, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay announced two pledges of UNESCO. He stated: "How can we succeed in protecting the ocean when we know so little about it? Only 20 per cent of the seabed is mapped. We need to go further and mobilize the international community so that at least 80 per cent of the seabed is mapped by 2030." Second, "The international community must make education one of the pillars of its action for the ocean. Because if we want to protect it better, we must teach it better. On the occasion of the One Ocean Summit, I am setting a common objective for our 193 Member States: to include ocean education in school curricula by 2025."
Some of the major pledges include the following:
· Pledge for conservation of biodiversity. 27 Member States of the European Union have committed to the proposed treaty on “High Ambition Coalition on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction” (BBNJ), marking the 40th anniversary of the UNCLOSE. The treaty targets towards sustainable use of marine resources beyond national jurisdiction.
· Pledge to deploy navies to increase surveillance of unregulated fishing under the European Regulation of 2008
· Pledge to new Green Marine Europe label. Till now, 22 European shipowners have promised to take concrete measures towards “underwater noise, pollutant air emissions, greenhouse gas emissions, aquatic invasive species, residues, oily discharge and ship recycling.”
· Pledge to reduce atmospheric pollution from docked ships. 18 European ports have agreed to ensure a speedy electricity supply to the port-chained ships to reduce greenhouse emissions. In addition, the EU along with Mediterranean countries, France, Spain, Italy, and Monaco, have committed to requesting to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to create a “low sulphur emission zone” and a “Particularly Sensitive Sea Area” to protect cetaceans.
· Pledge of France and Colombia for blue carbon. An initiative to bring national and multilateral actors to fund the restoration of coastal ecosystems.
Four major takeaways
First, the focus on ocean health. For the first time, an attempt has been made by the EU in drafting a framework towards ocean biodiversity and marine life conservation. There have been many individual laws governing the seas, shipping standards, and marine environment, but through this summit, all the factors affecting the ocean's health have been addressed.
Second, synonymous goals of UNESCO and the EU. UNESCO has promised to work towards the lag in sea bed mapping and the absence of ocean education in the school curriculum. The EU has proposed the European Digital Twin Ocean and EU4Ocean coalition on the same lines. The given plans promise to fill the gaps in linking technology environmental assessment and create a knowledge base for ocean literacy.
Third, reduced participation. Both the US and Germany seem to be out of the picture at the summit. In the statement released by the White House, the US recognized the aspect of pollution from plastics; otherwise, it has given only a general statement to stand with France in protecting the environment. Germany, which represents as a climate change leader in Europe, was also absent in making any specific commitment or recommending ideas to improving ocean life.
Fourth, uncertainty in meeting the pledges. The EU as a regional player bringing all member states to follow the BBNJ with a target for 2030 seems to be a high-end goal. However, the question of fulfillment of the committed pledges by the EU will remain uncertain until progress.
What does this mean?
First, the role of the EU. The initiative taken by France under the EU Presidency in providing a deeper analysis of the problems in the oceans and laying out a framework to address them from the national to international level shows the seriousness and capability of the EU as the global climate leader.
Second, a united push. With the EU setting an example to make its member countries commit to the measures towards protecting the ocean and marine life, it acts as a booster for other countries to unite in pledging toward ocean safety. This is a need of the hour.
References:
“One Ocean Summit: new steps strengthen EU leadership in protecting the Ocean,” European Commission, 11 February 2022
“World leaders at France summit mull ways to protect oceans,” Associated Press, 11 February 2022
“One Ocean Summit: UNESCO pledges to have at least 80% of the seabed mapped by 2030,” UNESCO, 10 February 2022
“Brest Commitments for the Oceans,” France Presidency, 11 February 2022
IN BRIEF
By Ashwin Dhanabalan and Joeana Cera Matthews
FRANCE
Elections: Macron intentionally delays his Presidential candidacy
On 13 February, far-right candidate Marine Le Pen accused French President Emmanuel Macron of intentionally delaying his candidacy to use the COVID-19 related visits for furthering his political campaign. Pen said: “Is Emmanuel Macron using the health crisis to start campaigning? The answer is yes.” The Republican party head Christian Jacob said he had reported the misuse of funds to the National Commission on Elections Financing. France has strict rules about financing presidential campaigns, where only EUR 16.8 million is allowed in the first round. Additionally, EUR 5.6 million is authorized for candidates who qualify for the run-off. (“France: rivals claim foul play as Macron waits to declare presidential candidacy,” Euronews, 13 February 2022)
ITALY
Rome adopts judicial system reforms
On 12 February, the Italian government approved a law that reformed the country's justice system. The law restricted magistrates in a judicial career trying to move to a political role and back. Italy initiated the reforms as the EU had mandated the changes for Rome to receive its share of the pandemic recovery funds. Justice Minister Marta Cartabia said: “We owe it to the citizens who have the right to regain full trust in our magistrate system.” He further stated that the reforms were implemented to put an end to “revolving door magistrates who take on a political post.” (“Italy: Government reform to ban politicians from returning to judiciary roles,” Euronews, 12 February 2022)
UKRAINE
EUR 520 million fund allocated for continuation of flights
On 13 February, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal announced that the country had allotted UAH 16.6 billion (EUR 520 million) to guarantee the continuance of flights through its airspace. The announcement comes due to the rising fears of a Russian invasion. Shmygal said: “This decision will stabilize the situation on the market of passenger air transportation and will guarantee the return to Ukraine of our citizens who are currently abroad.” Increased concern regarding the closure of airspace was expressed to be pointless by the Ukrainian President’s Chief of Staff who said: “The most important point is that Ukraine itself sees no point in closing the sky. And, in my opinion, that would somewhat resemble a kind of partial blockade." (“Ukraine promises funds to keep flights passing through its airspace,” Deutsche Welle, 13 February 2022)
REGIONAL
Ukraine via OSCE asks Russia to explain troop build-up
On 14 February, the Ukrainian government called for a meeting with Russia as tensions escalated between the two. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that Russia had not informed about the recent troop build-up on the border and had not responded to the formal requests. Ukraine made a formal request through the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to explain the military activities undertaken by Russia. OSCE members have the right to ask for information on another member’s actions. Kuleba said: “If Russia is serious when it talks about the indivisibility of security in the OSCE space, it must fulfill its commitment to military transparency in order to de-escalate tensions and enhance security for all.” (“Ukraine seeks meeting with Russia within 48 hours to discuss build-up,” BBC, 14 February 2022)
CLIMATE-CHANGE
Spain and Portugal face extreme winter drought
On 13 February, as reported by Euronews: “Climate change-induced extreme winter drought devastates crops in Spain and Portugal.” In 2021, Spain had received 35 percent of its average rainfall in the last few months, and it has not seen any precipitation since then. This is the first time since 2005 when no rain was recorded for January and February. A farmer in Spain’s southern Almería Andrés Góngora said: “The past two, three years have been dry, with the tendency toward less and less rain.” Spain’s government has decided to give over EUR 570 million of the pandemic funds to make its irrigation systems more efficient. Portugal has also been undergoing a similar situation with little rain since October 2021. National weather agency IPMA climatologist Vanda Pires said: “It’s part of the context of climate change.” (“Climate change-induced extreme winter drought devastates crops in Spain and Portugal,” Euronews, 13 February 2022)
ECONOMY
Global Markets: Oil rates spike to a seven-year high
On 14 February, The Guardian reported global markets to have been adversely affected by the Russia-Ukraine standoff leading to a seven-year high in oil prices. Morning trading saw UK’s FTSE 100 at 7,501 which fell by two per cent. Travel-related stocks were the most affected with IAG, the British Airways owner, seeing a fall of seven per cent. The price of oil has soared to 23 per cent more than it was when 2022 began; meanwhile, natural gas prices went up by 4.9 per cent. The falling European shares caused a sell-off in Asia. (Mark Sweney, “Global markets tumble as Russia-Ukraine tensions hit shares,” The Guardian, 14 February 2022)
INTERNATIONAL
Ukraine: Biden and Zelenskyy hold telephonic conversation
On 13 February, US President Joe Biden held a telephonic conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Following the call, the White House released a statement that maintained that the two leaders agreed that continuing deterrence and diplomacy against Russian aggression was important. Meanwhile, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan warned of an imminent escalation, saying: “We cannot perfectly predict the day, but we have now been saying for some time that we are in the window, and an invasion could begin — a major military action could begin — by Russia in Ukraine any day now. That includes this coming week before the end of the Olympics.” (“Germany′s Scholz vows ′immediate′ sanctions if Russia invades Ukraine,” Deutsche Welle, 13 February 2022)