International Cooperation : Ocean and climate plate-form (POC)

Have you heard of the Ocean and Climate Platform (POC)? This dynamic network comprises over 100 members united by a common goal: to raise awareness among policymakers and the general public about the vital connections between the ocean, climate, and biodiversity.

The Sea'ties Declaration

The "Sea’ties Declaration" was launched as part of the Sea’ties Forum, titled "Cities and their Territories Tackling Sea Level Rise," held during the One Ocean Summit (February 9-11, 2022). This significant declaration has garnered signatures from more than 30 mayors and governors of coastal cities worldwide. It calls for the acceleration of transformative efforts in cities and their regions, focusing on four key action strategies:

1. Harnessing Scientific Knowledge and Observation Systems

2. Incorporating Social Considerations into Adaptation Plans

3. Promoting Adaptive and Hybrid Solutions

4. Increasing Public Financing and Private Investments for Adaptation

For more information on the Sea'ties Declaration, you can visit the POC platform here.

For inquiries, please contact: secretariat@ocean-climate.org

To submit your application, reach out to: adeprez@ocean-climate.org

Solutions at Your Fingertips

Explore the interactive map of solutions here.

The Foundation of POC

The Ocean and Climate Platform (POC) was officially launched on June 8, 2014, on World Oceans Day, with support from the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO and an informal group of civil society actors.

Key actors involved in this initiative include the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), Tara Ocean Foundation, Paul Ricard Oceanographic Institute, Iddri, the French Committee of the IUCN, Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Oceanographic Institute – Prince Albert I of Monaco Foundation, Surfrider Foundation Europe, Nausicaá, joined by the French Maritime Cluster, Armateurs de France, and the French Institute for the Sea.

Since 2014, POC has tirelessly worked towards enhancing the understanding and consideration of scientific messages regarding the interactions between the ocean, climate, and biodiversity among policymakers and the general public. Their ultimate goal is to integrate the ocean into the climate regime.

This collective effort has achieved several milestones, including:

• Incorporating the ocean into the preamble of the Paris Agreement (2015)

• Including the ocean in the Global Action Agenda at COP22 (2016)

• Launching the "Ocean Pathway Partnership" at COP23 (2017)

• Incorporating the ocean into the final decisions at COP25, COP26, and COP27

  
  

POC members have also played a crucial role in influencing the international community to convince the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to produce a report on the ocean. The decision to produce this report was made in 2016, and three years later, the Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate was published in September 2019.

Leveraging their scientific expertise, POC was the only non-governmental organization to participate in the French government's review of this report.

The Network

POC brings together over 100 members, including research institutes, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), aquariums, private sector entities, French institutions, and international agencies, as well as local authorities. They collaborate with a shared message: "a healthy ocean for a protected climate."

While the ocean is exceptionally vulnerable to climate change, it also holds the key to mitigation and adaptation solutions. As we strive for a sustainable future, POC's dedication to ocean and climate advocacy serves as a beacon of hope in safeguarding our planet.