Global Environment Monitoring System for Oceans
The Global Environment Monitoring Services for the Ocean and Coasts (GEMS Ocean) Programme is a transdisciplinary partnership convened by UNEP. GEMS Ocean focuses on integrating global observation systems to provide fit-for-purpose information and data to its member states and regional bodies for the conservation, restoration, and management of coastal and marine ecosystems. The UN Ocean Decade secretariat endorsed GEMS Ocean as an official programme of the UN Decade on Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
A global environment monitoring system that provides relevant open and easily accessible ocean and coastal data, analysis, and information, guiding actions to protect and sustainably use marine and coastal resources.Co-design and convene a global Community of Practice across experts and society at large to provide capacity, analysis, innovation, and synthesized information to decision and policymakers, civil society, international organizations as well as coastal communities worldwide in a holistic approach to keep the global ocean and coasts healthy and productive.
The Decade Coordination Centres (DCCs) offer specialised, long-term assistance in coordinating Decade Actions at the regional (i.e., major ocean basins) or thematic (i.e., Decade Challenges) categories. They facilitate new partnerships and initiatives as part of the Decade and support Decade Actions through resource mobilisation, communications, capacity building, and progress tracking. GEMS Ocean is a part of the UN Ocean Decade Collaborative Centre on Ocean Prediction as an endorsed Ocean Decade Programme.
UNEP-WCMC has provided technical support to the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to conduct a major study of more than 300 scientific literatures to synthesise the observed and predicted impacts of ocean acidification on marine biodiversity. The study, Scientific Synthesis of the Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Marine Biodiversity, describes an alarming picture of possible ecological scenarios and adverse impacts of ocean acidification for marine ecosystems, and highlights the direct link between climate change, ocean health and human well-being. The study was released by the CBD on the 14th December 2009 to mark Oceans Day and inform the climate change negotiations in Copenhagen.
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