Europe

Communities across the NE Atlantic, Baltic Sea, Black Sea, and Mediterranean Sea are already experiencing negative impacts of climate change on habitat and biodiversity, fisheries and aquaculture, economies, cultural practices, and livelihoods.

Recent studies indicate climate-ocean change has negative consequences for species, such as Atlantic cod, and important habitats, such as cold-water corals. In the Mediterranean, effects are also already being observed, and further impacts are projected for species such as calcifying algae, temperate and deep-water corals, and sea urchins.

These impacts will worsen in the future without interventions from managers and decision makers across marine, coastal and climate policy themes.

To date, regional science coordination has emphasized enhancing coastal observations, establishing regional baselines, contributing to global indicators, and broadly developing research around keystone species.

Since 2023, the OA Alliance has been engaging with EU Member States, relevant Regional Seas Conventions, OA science networks and civil society stakeholders to advance specific recommendations that help European governments take OA Action.

Across Europe, existing conventions and shared directives can be used to accelerate regional collection of information and enhance OA mitigation, adaptation and resilience measures.