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Marine protected areas (MBA) provide place-based management of marine ecosystem through various degrees and types of protective actions. Habitats such as coral reefs are especially susceptible to degradation resulting from climate change, as evidenced by mass bleaching events over the past two decades. Marine ecosystems are being altered by direct effecrs of climate change including ocean warming, ocean acidification rising sea level, changing circulation patterns, increasing severity of storms, and changing freshwater influxes.

Recently impacts of climate change, in particular, sea level rise, a major concern for many Pacific island countries. In early 2000, there were a series of media coverage over sea level rise issues using Tuvalu as an example.

A priority for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) is effective planning and financing of actions to address the impacts of climate change. This paper examines the vital role that regional institutions play in sharing SIDS relevant approaches and knowledge, and in delivering specialist skills and knowledge to support national efforts. It goes on to highlight the work of the Climate Resilient Islands Partnership, which links the Caribbean, Indian Ocean and Pacific Regions, and is working to rapidly scale-up cost-effective services to SIDS through inter-regional cooperation and exchange.

Natural capital – our ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural resources – underpins economies, societies and individual well-being. The values of its myriad benefits are, however, often overlooked or poorly understood. They are rarely taken fully into account through economic signals in markets, or in day to day decisions by business and citizens, nor indeed reflected adequately in the accounts of society.

An overview of the current scientific knowledge available on climate change implications for fisheries and aquaculture is provided through three technical papers that were presented and discussed during the Expert Workshop on Climate Change Implications for Fisheries and Aquaculture. A summary of the workshop outcomes as well as key messages on impacts of climate change on aquatic ecosystems and fisheries - and aquaculture-based livelihoods are provided in the introduction of this Technical Paper. The first paper reviews the physical and ecological impacts of climate change relevant to marine and inland capture fisheries and aqauculture. The paper begins with a review of the physical impacts of climate change on marine and freshwater systems and then connects these changes with observed effects on fish production processes. It also outlines a series of scenarios of climate change impacts on fish production and ecosystems through case studies in different regions and ecosystems. The second paper tackles the consequences of climate change impacts on fisheries and their dependent communities. It analyses the exposure, sensitivity and vulnerability of fisheries to climate change and presents examples of adaptive mechanisms currently used in the sector. The contribution of fisheries to greenhouse gas emissions is addressed and examples of mitigation strategies are given. The role of public policy and institutions in promoting climate change adaptation and mitigation is also explored. Finally, the third paper addresses the impacts of climate change on aquaculture. It provides an overview of the current food fish and aquaculture production and a synthesis of existing studies on climate change effects on aquaculture and fisheries. The paper focuses on the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on aquaculture, in terms of biodiversity, fish disease and fishmeal. Contribution of agriculture to climate change is addressed and mitigation measures that could be implemented.

This assessment of the vulnerability of Australia's biodiversity to climate change was begun in early 2007 in response to a request from the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council. This introductory chapter outlines the scope of the assessment and the approach to it taken by the Expert Advisory Group (EAG). The structure of the assessment is then presented in the form of a chapter-by-chapter synopsis, which lays out the flow of logic in the assessment and the major topics addressed by the EAG. Finally, the chapter describes the aims and characteristics of the assessment's key messages and policy directions.

When eminent economist Nicholas Stern was commissioned by the British government to direct the largest study ever of global warming, the results made headlines world wide. The Global Deal offers a concise, accessible view of the climate crisis and its possible solutions, as proposed by one of today's greatest economists.

Pacific Island countries are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and variability. Conservation of mangroves and associated coastal ecosystems has been identified as a key natural adaptation strategy and mitigation measure to the effects of climate change.