Using Science, Knowledge & Tools to operationalise the BBNJ Agreement

Course overview and objectives

This online training introduces the BBNJ Agreement and focuses on the role that ocean science and knowledge play for its implementation, including implications for the global community and opportunities for science, services and management in and about ABNJ.

The course aims to support individuals and institutions of diverse groups in understanding the scientific realities of the ocean and data sharing opportunities (i.e. across maritime zones between countries and different ocean depths; between the Exclusive Economic Zones and High Seas; and across sectors and geographical regions for enhanced cooperation and coordination with and among other instruments, frameworks and bodies).

The use of science and knowledge on the ocean and its marine ecosystems are particularly evident in operationalization of the Agreement’s processes to assess potential impacts on the marine environment of planned activities, including in considerations for strategic environmental assessments and when assessing cumulative impacts, as well as in the establishment of area-based management tools, including marine protected areas, in the efforts to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity through geographical tools in a dynamic, connected and changing ocean. Additionally, understanding capacity needs, accessing existing capacity building and technology transfer initiatives, provided by different institutions and linking different types of ocean data and information can strengthen our knowledge on marine biodiversity in an interconnected ocean.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course, learners will:

Have an improved understanding about the context out of which the BBNJ Agreement emerged
Be able to detail its objectives and four pillars
Recognize the potential implications of the BBNJ Agreement for national, regional and global contexts—particularly in terms of ocean science, area-based management, activities in ABNJ, environmental impact assessment, and capacity building and the transfer of marine technology
Be able to name databases and services useful for the operationalization of the BBNJ Agreement
Know how to consider the scientific realities of a connected and changing ocean in policy measures and management
Be sensitive to a variety of actors active in exploring, protecting, using and valuing the ocean.
Recognize factors for successful operationalization of the agreement.