There is “a very direct link” between climate change and biodiversity loss that the new treaty can help address, says Ismail Zahir, Samoa’s principal adviser for oceans and sustainable development. Samoa is currently the chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS). He tells Carbon Brief:
“This was something that all of the G77 [group of developing nations] really fought hard for – to establish this strong link, especially including the role that the ocean has in the carbon cycle and climate mitigation.”
Zahir also notes that the improved scientific and technical capacity generated from the treaty will help small-island developing states better understand the climate change impacts they are already facing.