During the celebration of COP 25 we have organized a round table to discuss the important role played by Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in curbing the effects of climate change. Among the speakers was Peter Thomson, Special Envoy for the Ocean of the United Nations Secretary-General, who stressed that “Marine Protected Areas are a good part of the solution to reduce pressure on the ocean and a tool to protect ecosystems”.

Networking of MPAs is key to maintaining resilience to climate change. They protect coastal habitats such as coral reefs, mangroves and wetlands, reducing the vulnerability of these ecosystems to climate change. In addition  they favor carbon sequestration, thus immobilizing greenhouse gases.

These areas also suffer from the effects of climate change but, at the same time, provide areas of lower stress, improving the ability of marine organisms to adapt to climate change, allowing them to migrate and escape certain pressures. In addition, they can be used as scientific research laboratories to help identify the effects of climate change.

During the day, specific examples of experiences were presented that confirm the value of MPAs as fundamental spaces to fight climate change. In addition to Peter Thomson, itziar Martín-Partida, deputy director general for the Protection of the Sea at MITECO, and on behalf of the government of Chile, the country that chairs the COP, Cristian Laborda, consultant for Ibero-American countries, participated in the meeting.

To conserve the ecological values of the oceans, Marine Protected Areas have been established, a priority at the international level, as established by Aichi Target 11, which set as a priority that the signatory States of the Convention on Biological Diversity declare 10% of their marine area as protected by 2020. MPAs offer nature-based solutions to support global efforts towards climate change adaptation and mitigation.

In this sense, the LIFE IP INTEMARES project, coordinated by the Ministry for Ecological Transition through the Biodiversity Foundation, seeks to consolidate and expand the  marine areas of the Natura 2000 Network, the world’s largest network for the conservation of biodiversity, and to achieve effective management, with the active participation of the sectors involved and with research as a basic tool for decision-making. With more than 12% of Spain’s marine area protected, Spain has already met the Aichi target.

The General Directorate of Sustainability of the Coast and the Sea of MITECO, the IEO, the Spanish Fisheries Confederation, SEO/BirdLife and WWF-Spain participate as partners in the project.