Worldfish - Nov. 5 2022 (CGIAR News)

The transition to a green economy may be fundamental to the survival of people and planet, but it is the realisation of blue prosperity – from oceans, rivers and lakes – that will determine the future well-being of billions of the world’s most vulnerable people.

Fish and other aquatic foods provide an essential source of protein and other nutrients for some three billion people worldwide. But if greenhouse gas emissions remain high, fisheries and aquaculture in every country will face high or very high climate hazards by 2100.

The picture is even more dire for at least 50 countries, including the host of this year’s UN COP27 climate talks, Egypt, which are heavily dependent on aquatic – or blue – foods. These countries face a degree of high or very high climate risk even if emissions fall by the end of the century.

The almost-certain threat posed by climate change to such a critical sector leaves dozens of countries facing the daunting challenge of filling gaps not only in food supplies but in good nutrition, livelihoods and equality. If the world is presently behind in achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, including ending hunger by 2030, then the decline of aquaculture and fisheries due to climate change would put them out of reach.

Climate negotiators at COP27 must be yet more ambitious and commit to a roadmap towards unlocking a shared “blue prosperity” that allows fisheries and aquaculture, and those who depend upon them, to thrive.

As world leaders and policymakers gather at COP27, research and scientific evidence offers valuable guidance for the key elements that would change the trajectory for the blue economy.

First, aquatic food systems, like every other sector, must be decarbonised to decouple aquaculture and fisheries from the emissions that threaten their very survival in the long-term. Even though the production of various aquatic species already has a lower carbon footprint than land-based meat, blue food systems can and must be further decarbonised to reach optimum sustainability.

Low-carbon policies and innovations exist at every stage of the value chain, starting with maintaining healthy stocks of fish and other aquatic animals. With more fish available, fisherfolk need to spend less time and fuel at sea, bringing down emissions by up to 50 per cent, while a recent study also found that fish help remove 1.65 billion tons of carbon from the atmosphere.

See  more https://www.worldfishcenter.org/blog/cop27-can-help-world-achieve-blue-prosperity