07/10/2026
At the 12th Conference of the Parties to the Nairobi Convention ( ), I joined a side event on “Ocean and Climate Nexus: Building Shared African Civil Society Priorities in the SWIO Region,” co-hosted by the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), WWF and SWIOTUNA.
The discussion provided an important platform to reflect on the central role of oceans in regulating our climate and supporting livelihoods, particularly for coastal communities across Africa.
Oceans absorb much of the excess heat generated by greenhouse gas emissions and significant amounts of carbon dioxide. Yet, the ocean-climate nexus continues to receive insufficient attention in global climate negotiations, even as rising sea levels, marine heatwaves, ocean acidification and ecosystem degradation threaten coastal communities and marine biodiversity.
There is also an opportunity to make oceans part of the climate solution. Protecting and restoring mangroves, seagrasses and other blue carbon ecosystems can strengthen both mitigation and adaptation efforts.
From a PACJA perspective, countries need to strengthen the integration of blue carbon ecosystems into their NDCs and NAPs, while ensuring access to finance, technology and capacity building. Africa must also explore the potential of offshore wind, wave and tidal energy as part of a just transition.
We must elevate the ocean-climate nexus in global climate negotiations and ensure that African civil society priorities are reflected in the decisions that shape our shared future.
