The outlook for oceans, seas and marine resources in Latin America and the Caribbean: Conservation, sustainable development and climate change mitigation

Abstract

Oceans are a vast source of solutions and opportunities which, unfortunately, are currently invisible, at risk or underutilized. For Latin America and the Caribbean, this reality is significant —more than 27% of the region’s population lives in coastal areas; the sea accounts for a larger share of territory than land for most countries, especially in the Caribbean; and the oceans are home to extraordinary biodiversity. Still, we are not yet on a path to achieving the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 14 relating to life below water. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has produced the first regional outlook for oceans, seas and their resources in order to fill information gaps and propose ideas that strengthen blue sustainable development efforts. This study will serve as a tool for regional mechanisms and coordination efforts, by suggesting new alternative indicators for some targets of Sustainable Development Goal 14 and viewing the oceans as a source of solutions for climate change mitigation. It presents an opportunity to advance in the cross-cutting and blue implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with oceans at the core.