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Protecting Antarctic blue carbon: as marine ice retreats can the law fill the gap?
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 08:37 authored by Brendan GogartyBrendan Gogarty, Jeffrey McGeeJeffrey McGee, Barnes, DKA, Sands, CJ, Narissa BaxNarissa Bax, Marcus HawardMarcus Haward, Downey, R, Moreau, C, Moreno, B, Held, C, Paulsen, MLAs marine-ice around Antarctica retracts, a vast ‘blue carbon’ sink, in the form of living biomass, is emerging. Properly protected and promoted Antarctic blue carbon will form the world’s largest natural negative feedback on climate change. However, fulfilling this promise may be challenging, given the uniqueness of the region and the legal systems that govern it. In this interdisciplinary study, we explain: the global significance of Antarctic blue carbon to international carbon mitigation efforts; the urgent need for international legal protections for areas where it is emerging; and the hurdles that need to be overcome to realize those goals. In order to progress conservation efforts past political blockages we recommend the development of an inter-instrument governance framework that quantifies the sequestration value of Antarctic blue carbon for attribution to states’ climate mitigation commitments under the 2015 Paris Agreement.
History
Publication title
Climate PolicyVolume
20Pagination
149-162ISSN
1752-7457Department/School
Faculty of LawPublisher
Earthscan LtdPlace of publication
United KingdomRights statement
© 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis GroupRepository Status
- Restricted