Group2_C | SDG 14: Life below Water

 

Introduction

The ocean covers 75% of the earth's surface & contains 99% of living space on the planet by volume inhabiting over 200,000 species^[1]. Due to human exploitation, over 40% of the ocean is heavily affected by pollution, loss of biodiversity, and significant human intervention. Over 3 Billion people worldwide have an indirect dependence on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods. Ocean acidification has reached alarming levels (26%) since the industrial revolution, most of which originates from land-based sources. This SDG targets protecting the marine and coastal ecosystems from pollution, excess acidification, and other harmful human interventions and targets towards sustainable use of ocean-based resources.

Relevance to India

Marine Pollution- A report by the United Nations Environment Programme published in 2015 suggests that India is ranked 12^th[2] in the list of countries responsible for marine pollution, dumping ~1 tonnes of plastic waste into oceans annually. Another report by Environmental Science and Technology says that out of the world's top 10 rivers, carrying 90%^[2] of plastic to the world's oceans, three flows in India- the Indus, Ganga, and the Brahmaputra.

The situation has been exacerbated by the ongoing pandemic, requiring the utilization of personal protective equipment (PPE) like suits, gloves, and masks. India alone generates ~100 tonnes^[3] of such waste per day, and the major challenge is its proper disposal. Mismanagement and the absence of appropriate laws would lead to this waste finding its way in unwanted channels.

Overexploitation- As per the biodiversity report, ~90%^[4] of India's fish resources are at maximum sustainable exploitation levels. Overexploitation of marine life, disturbance to habitat due to human activities, and climate change infusing carbon-di-oxide into the oceans are the greatest threat to marine life.

Ocean acidification- Oceans absorb more than 30%^[5,6] of carbon-di-oxide from the atmosphere. As the gas is increasing in the environment, the ocean's absorption leads to ocean acidification. Excess CO₂ in water dissolves the calcium carbonate, forming shells and coral, hence interrupting fish breathing processes.  Excess CO₂ also leads to an increase in the ocean temperature, rising sea levels.

Business Implications and Responses

The marine and coastal environmental plays a pivotal role in international trade, generating wealth, facilitating development, and recreational activities. More precisely, marine resources include fisheries, aquaculture, seafood, seaweed and biotechnology, oil, gas, and renewable energy, support various sectors of the economy and businesses. India's marine and coastal ecosystems extend to 42,808 km^[8] and consist of coral reefs, marshes, lagoons, etc. The goods produced by them are the products obtained from these habitats like fish harvests, wild plants, animal resources, and abstracted water. Known for their high biological productivity, they provide a wide range of resources for businesses like offshore aquaculture, marine fisheries, coastal & marine tourism, etc. One such example would be Blue Biotechnology, a field that uses marine species for biological applications. Marine biology and biotechnology provide significant revenue generation opportunities to the Indian economy, with a projected revenue generation of $100 Million^[9]  by 2025. 

In India, more than 60% of the total factories are in coastal states. The vulnerability of coastal habitats in India is the exponential development of coastal tourism, local population density, and economic activities near coastal areas. On a global level, according to the UN, more than 8 Million^[10] tonnes of plastic waste ends up in the ocean, accounting for almost 80%^[10] of all ocean litter, severely threatening marine and coastal ecosystems, fisheries, and tourism. The estimated social and environmental expense of plastic waste is $139 Billion^[11] a year, according to Trucost, and ocean acidification could cost $1.2 Trillion^[11] per year, by the year 2100. Hence, there is an immediate need for sustainable development through skill and knowledge sharing and effective governance for commercialization and industrial growth to preserve life underwater.

Considering the importance marine life serves to us, Business houses must work towards conserving it. According to an analysis, companies on average are aware of 35% of their industry's potential pressures on marine and coastal ecosystems. Awareness of problems like over-exploitation of marine resources, effects on biodiversity, and impact on hydrographical conditions or pressures on seafloor integrity is minimal. But there are individual companies that are considered Sustainability leaders and are more aware than the average companies. And these business leaders have been undertaking efforts to mitigate the pressure on the marine ecosystem. They have started adopting technological innovations and developing organizational initiatives to reduce their impact on the ecosystem. Some of these efforts included reducing GHG emissions, waste and wastewater management, or extending the product life cycle.^[12]

Table depicting the difference in awareness between sustainability leaders and other leaders

 

Adidas undertook one such initiative with their eco-friendly footwear range made from ocean plastic. Adidas teamed up with Parley (Parley is an organization working to raise awareness to preserve our oceans' beauty and fragility). Parlay helps Adidas with the collection of ocean plastic from the coastal areas. The plastic is then flaked and reworked. The next process involves making thread from the processed plastic. This thread then goes into making the footwear.^[13] Adidas is now actively promoting the purchase of eco-friendly footwear by way of multiple drives. One example such campaign can be viewed at - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FopFGI2rc-4.

This initiative by Adidas has forced Puma and Nike into following the suit.

It is aptly said that organizational initiatives (voluntary sustainability standards, codes of conduct and self-regulation; assessment and measurement initiatives; knowledge platforms and partnerships) complement technological innovation, as they contribute to creating more favorable conditions for developing, sharing, and adopting new and more sustainable solutions.

Analysis and the path ahead

The parts of the goal 14.1-14.3 focus on protecting marine ecosystems by reducing pollution, allocating special economic zones, and reducing acidification through cooperation at all levels.

The coastlines form the connection between human activities and marine ecosystems. An increase in eutrophication levels tracks marine pollution, i.e., increased nitrate and phosphate levels due to runoff from agricultural and industrial activity. This leads to increased algae formation, which blocks sunlight and reduces the ecosystem's oxygen levels, thus harming marine life. Similarly, human activity and waste dumping in oceans have increased plastic debris in the oceans. According to National Geographic, there are more than 0.25 Million tonnes of plastic floating while around 4 Billion tonnes of it has sunk into the sea. These plastics can get consumed by aquatic animals. The causes for such dumping can be attributed to less awareness of plastic pollution and the lack of frameworks in developing and underdeveloped economies. ^[14]

The oceans also form the largest carbon sink, absorbing close to 30% of the planet's CO₂ levels. With the increased concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, etc., ocean absorption has increased. This results in the formation of acidic compounds and decreases pH value.  During the pre-industrial times, the oceans' pH was close to 8.2(slightly alkaline, 7 is neutral). According to the UN department of economic and social affairs, it has dropped to an average of 7.9. The pH scale is logarithmic, and hence a 0.1-unit drop indicates a 10% change. ^[15]

One way to regulate and control these are formation special Economic exclusive zones at the coastlines, which will ensure sustainable practices and reduce the effects of excess human intervention. Stringent government guidelines and awareness through multiple stakeholders like NGOs, businesses can help in achieving this goal.

Target 14.4 focuses on sustainable fishing practices that help maintain aquatic life and protect local communities' livelihoods. In recent years fisheries have formed around 0.1% of the global GDP. One of the critical challenges in curbing illegal fishing practices that can act to the nation's detriment. Another issue is the marginalization of small-scale farmers which form 50% of the output through fisheries in developing economies. Many have become biologically unsustainable among the world's fishing stocks, meaning an abundance of fish to demand has reduced. In 2020, 66 countries agreed to the Agreement on Port State Measures – one of the first global agreements to curb illegal fishing. Government interventions regulating and increasing fish yield and other arrangements like Voluntary guidelines for securing sustainable small-scale fisheries can help fulfill this goal's targets. ^[15]

Target 14.5 focuses on the conservation of coastline and marine life by forming protected areas. While the number of marine protected areas has increased, some critical key biodiversity areas need to be included. According to FAO research, these areas are mainly low in the least developed countries due to prevalent socio-economic conditions and a lack of analytical frameworks to understand marine protected areas' intricacies. Thus, frameworks on a case-to-case basis can help analyze and increase marine protected areas in these countries. ^[16]

Target 14.6 focuses on subsidies of global fisheries. Contributions of global fisheries are estimated to be around USD 35 Billion industry worldwide (UNCTAD), the majority of which have been categorized as capacity enhancing subsidies contributing to the overcapacity of fishing fleets & overcapacity. One of the critical discussions of "The Doha Round" trade negotiation was improving the trade rules on fisheries subsidies, especially those involved in overfishing.  The sustainability of global fishery resources continues to decline at a reduced rate. The proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels at 65.8% in 2017, a 0.8% point lower than 2015 levels and down from 90% in 1974. Hence keeping a check on it is crucial.

Sustainable use of marine resources that provide significant economic benefits to small island developing nations & smaller developed countries such as Fiji, New Guinea & Vanuatu is essential. Fisheries can contribute to as high as 10% of the GDP of small island nations. Fisheries are also used for trade, fashion & tourism apart from general consumption. Trade & tourism from these small nations are growing ^[17], and the demand is also increasing yearly.

Globally, there are 54 Million fishermen and women fish farmers, most of whom live in developing countries^[18]. Of this, artisanal fisheries employ over 12 Million people, and industrial fishing uses over 0.5 Million. People around the globe. Harmful practices, piracy & other negative practices drastically impact these individuals daily. The entire value chain ensures these individuals gain minimal profits due to a lack of knowledge & expertise in handling trade practices, transport, and packaging. Hence, another key target is to ensure fair trials for these individuals by creating a fair marine market.

Research in marine technology has increased significantly after SDG 14. Improvements in underwater propulsion systems, better on-ship water production, advanced propeller, and nozzle systems have shown the progress on the scientific community's importance on marine exploration. Other technologies to monitor deepwater marine life to gain knowledge and insights have also gained traction in recent times.

 

References:

[1] - https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/sustainable-development-goals/goal-14-life-below-water.html

[2]- https://letmebreathe.in/2019/06/08/world-oceans-day-2019-gender-and-oceans/

[3]- https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/are-we-at-sea-on-marine-plastic-pollution/2125852/

[4]- https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/caution-against-unchecked-exploitation-of-marine-life/article28714658.ece

[5]- https://corporatesustainxlri.blogspot.com/2020/12/group4a-sdg-14-life-below-water.html

[6]- https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/03/oceans-do-us-a-huge-service-by-absorbing-nearly-a-third-of-global-co2-emissions-but-at-what-cost

[7]- https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/oceans-fisheries-and-coastal-economies

[8]- https://thelogicalindian.com/environment/indias-coastal-marine-ecosystems-under-threat-21555#:~:text=India's%20coastal%20ecosystems%20extend%20to,of%20aquatic%20flora%20and%20fauna.

[9]-https://www.heraldopenaccess.us/openaccess/blue-economy-mission-india-s-focus#:~:text=species%20%5B1%5D.-,Globally%2C%20there%20has%20been%20increasing%20interest%20in%20economising%20the%20revenues,resources%2C%20tourism%20and%20maritime%20industries.

[10]-https://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/press-release/un-declares-war-ocean-plastic-0

[11]-How Tourism Is Destroying India's Coastal Ecosystems (youthkiawaaz.com)

[12]-https://www.1ocean.org/business_for_ocean_sustainability/

[13]-https://shop.adidas.co.in/#content/page-sustainability

[14]-https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/1/150109-oceans-plastic-sea-trash-science-marin]e-debris/

[15]- https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2020/goal-14/

[16]- http://www.fao.org/3/i2378e/i2378e00.htm

[17] - FAO (2012). The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2012. Rome. Available at http://www.fao.org/docrep/016/i2727e/i2727e.pdf

[18] - UNCTAD (2014). The Oceans Economy: Opportunities and Challenges for Small Island Developing States. United Nations publication. UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2014/5. New York and Geneva. Available at https://unctad.org/en/PublicationsLibrary/ditcted2014d5_en.pdf

 Authors: Adityraj Phadnis (BJ20124), Anjali Dahiya (BJ20128), Hameer Nagda (BJ20138), Shivani Agarwal (BJ20168), Vedant Vyas (BJ20179), Vrishank (BJ20182)