Ocean-Climate Synergistic Governance: Interdisciplinary Approaches and Solutions

Ocean–climate governance addresses how institutions, laws, policies, and economic approaches can respond to the interconnected challenges facing marine systems and the communities that depend on them. The IPCC Sixth Assessment Report documents continued ocean warming, acidification, sea-level rise, and growing risks to coastal communities and ecosystems. Research also explores blue carbon and nature-based solutions, as well as pathways to reduce emissions from shipping. However, debates remain over the durability and wider benefits of blue carbon, how to balance maritime decarbonization with economic and social priorities, and who bears the costs and gains of climate action. Governance is often fragmented across sectors and jurisdictions, and more evidence is needed on which approaches are effective, equitable, and transferable across contexts.This Research Topic aims to bring together interdisciplinary research on how governance, law, policy, and economic approaches can address ocean–climate challenges. It will examine options for strengthening marine resilience, supporting climate mitigation and adaptation, and advancing sustainable ocean development, including their implementation, effectiveness, and distributional implications.To gather further insights into governance responses to ocean–climate challenges, we welcome research at local, national, regional, and international scales. Studies focused solely on physical ocean processes or technical interventions, without a clear governance, legal, policy, or socioeconomic dimension, are outside the scope of this Research Topic. Themes include, but are not limited to:- Blue carbon and nature-based solutions for climate mitigation and marine resilience- Green and low-carbon shipping transition: technological innovation, policy pathways, and governance frameworks- Legal responses to ocean–climate synergies: international law, climate governance, and institutional frameworks- Sustainable blue economy development under climate change- Governance and policy responses to ocean climate impacts, including sea-level rise and ocean acidification Topic editors: Zhengkai Mao, Kum Fai Yuen, Xiong Zhu Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/87003/ocean-climate-synergistic-governance-interdisciplinary-approaches-and-solutions