The 23rd Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols (COP23) marked a historic milestone in the pursuit of environmental protection and sustainability. Held in Portoroz, Slovenia, from 5-8 December 2023, the conference addressed the pressing issues of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, collectively recognized as the triple planetary crisis. The resulting Portoroz Ministerial Declaration outlines crucial steps toward a green transition in the Mediterranean region, emphasizing the urgency of action and the need for collaborative efforts.
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Protecting Nature in the Mediterranean
Prime Minister Robert Golob of Slovenia set the tone for the conference by highlighting the significance of nature conservation in the Mediterranean. In his address, he urged participants to prioritize this crucial issue and overcome potential obstacles, emphasizing the long-term benefits that would extend beyond political careers. The declaration underscored the commitment of the 21 countries and the European Union to radical shifts that decouple economic progress from environmental degradation, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the Mediterranean.
Regional Cooperation and Nature-Based Solutions
Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Deputy Executive Director of UNEP, stressed the importance of regional cooperation and nature-based solutions in the green transition. Acknowledging disparities in financial and technological resources among Mediterranean countries, she emphasized the role of science and technology, governance improvements, and public awareness in propelling the green agenda forward.
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Elizabeth Maruma Mrema stressed the importance of science and technology, governance improvements and public awareness in the green transition. Photo: Government of Slovenia
Programme of Work and Budget
COP23 adopted the two-year Programme of Work and budget of the Mediterranean Action Plan of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP/MAP). This initiative aims to revise the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development, aligning it with the SDGs and utilizing science as the foundation for effective action.
The urgency of these actions was emphasized by the findings of the Mediterranean Quality Status Report (2023 MED QSR), presented at COP23.
Protecting Marine Life
One of the significant agreements reached during the conference was the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between UNEP/MAP and the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and contiguous Atlantic Area (ACCOBAMS). This MoU enhances cooperation to protect whale and dolphin species facing various threats, including noise, bycatch, pollution, collisions with vessels, and the impacts of climate change. In addition, six additional species of sharks and rays were added to the list of protection.
Climate Change and Coastal Management
COP23 saw a renewed commitment to climate action with the establishment of a Regional Activity Centre on Climate Change hosted by Turkey. The Contracting Parties endorsed the Summary for Policymakers of the Special Report on Climate and Environmental Coastal Risks by MedECC. Measures were also adopted to implement Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), ensuring that economic progress does not compromise the health of marine and coastal ecosystems.
Biodiversity Conservation
The Portoroz Ministerial Declaration emphasized the commitment to conserve and manage at least 30% of coastal and marine areas by 2030. The Contracting Parties renewed their commitment to halt the degradation of marine and coastal biodiversity through the effective implementation of the post-2020 Biodiversity Framework and in line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Decisions were made to extend protection to endangered marine species, and to strengthen the network of Specially Protected Areas and Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMIs).
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Tackling Pollution and Waste
COP23 addressed pollution and waste through legally binding, timebound Regional Plans on agriculture, aquaculture, and urban stormwater management. The conference also recognized the need for a comprehensive approach to plastic pollution, aligning with global negotiations on a legally binding instrument. Commitments were made to implement the global framework on chemicals, and efforts were directed towards enforcing the Emission Control Area for Sulphur Oxides, underscoring the importance of air quality from ships.
NGO Voices: Urgent Calls for Action
During COP23, the conference resonated with passionate speeches from NGOs representing Mediterranean countries, which played a pivotal role in highlighting the critical issue of marine pollution and advocating for concerted efforts to address this pressing concern. Numerous representatives from environmental groups underscored the immediate and far-reaching consequences of pollution on the Mediterranean’s fragile ecosystems. They stressed the urgency of adopting comprehensive measures to combat plastic pollution, preserve marine biodiversity, and safeguard the health of coastal communities. These impassioned pleas served as a stark reminder that the battle against marine pollution requires a collaborative approach, involving governments, NGOs, and the public alike.
COP23 by UNEP/MAP addressed the pressing issues of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Photo: UNEP
Green Transition in the Mediterranean
As the curtains fell on the Barcelona Convention COP23, the collective determination of nations, NGOs, and advocates echoed through the Portoroz Ministerial Declaration. The commitments made to drive a green transition in the Mediterranean stand as a testament to the shared responsibility for safeguarding our planet’s natural treasures. Beyond the conference rooms and diplomatic exchanges, the real test lies in the implementation of these resolutions. The coming years will unfold the impact of the decisions made in Portoroz, and the hope is that the pledges translate into tangible actions, fostering a future where the Mediterranean thrives as a resilient and vibrant ecosystem.
The closing moments of COP23 marked not an end but a new beginning – a rallying call for a greener, more sustainable future for the Mediterranean and a reminder that the journey toward environmental stewardship is an ongoing, collective endeavor.
Featured image: Government of Slovenia
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