Overview
Climate change is one of the major drivers of pressure on marine and coastal biodiversity in the Mediterranean. Its impacts result from a combination of climatic and environmental phenomena — including rising temperatures, changes in precipitation and wind regimes, ocean acidification and sea-level rise — which interact with existing anthropogenic pressures such as pollution, coastal development, over-exploitation of natural resources and the introduction of non-indigenous species.
The Mediterranean region is warming faster than the global average, increasing the vulnerability of already fragile ecosystems. The effects of climate change on marine and coastal environments are already observable, affecting in particular the biological cycles of species, their reproduction and migration periods, the duration of growth phases, as well as the frequency of certain diseases and parasitic infestations.
Climate projections indicate that these changes may lead to long-term shifts in the geographical distribution of species and habitats, notably through movements towards higher latitudes and greater depths or altitudes. Species with restricted climatic ranges, specific ecological requirements or already weakened populations are particularly exposed, increasing the risk of population decline or local extinction.
Finally, climate change is likely to facilitate the introduction and spread of non-indigenous species, a phenomenon whose long-term ecological and socio-economic consequences remain difficult to predict.
Climate change within the framework of the Barcelona Convention
Within the framework of the Barcelona Convention, climate change is recognised as a cross-cutting factor influencing the state of marine and coastal biodiversity and the effectiveness of conservation and management measures.
The Ecosystem Approach (EcAp) provides an integrated framework for addressing the effects of climate change in the assessment of the state of the marine environment and in the management of human activities. In this context, the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme of the Mediterranean Sea and Coast (IMAP) serves as the reference tool for tracking changes in the ecological status of the Mediterranean, including in relation to climate-related pressures.
Through its ecological objectives, common indicators and periodic assessments, IMAP enables the analysis of long-term trends and supports the development and adaptation of regional environmental policies.
Climate change in the Post-2020 SAPBIO
The Post-2020 Strategic Action Programme for the Conservation of Biodiversity and the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in the Mediterranean (Post-2020 SAPBIO) identifies climate change as a key factor influencing the conservation of marine and coastal biodiversity.
The Post-2020 SAPBIO recognises that climate change amplifies existing pressures on ecosystems and highlights the need to:
- strengthen knowledge on the impacts of climate change on biodiversity;
- improve the resilience and adaptive capacity of marine and coastal ecosystems;
- promote nature-based solutions and ecosystem restoration;
- integrate climate considerations into relevant sectoral policies and planning frameworks.
These orientations contribute to ensuring coherence between biodiversity conservation objectives and regional and international commitments related to climate change.
Role and contributions of SPA/RAC
In this context, SPA/RAC contributes to regional efforts related to climate change through a cross-cutting approach, in line with its mandate on marine and coastal biodiversity.
Its actions aim in particular to:
- integrate climate change considerations into regional biodiversity conservation frameworks;
- support Mediterranean countries in addressing climate-related impacts within strategies, action plans and management tools;
- strengthen capacities and promote knowledge-sharing on the links between biodiversity, climate change and nature-based solutions;
- contribute to regional monitoring, assessment and knowledge-sharing processes, in coherence with the EcAp and IMAP.
These contributions are implemented in complementarity with other components of the Barcelona Convention system, including the Regional Activity Centre dedicated to climate change.
