The ongoing COP 16, the 16th Conference of the Parties for Biological Diversity, global leaders, scientists, and environmental advocates at Cali, Colombia from 21 October – 1 November 2024. One of the priority items on the agenda is the fossil fuel threats to the coral triangle. The Coral Triangle, nicknamed ‘The Amazon of the Seas”, spans almost 10 million square kilometres.
The Coral Triangle: A Biodiversity Hotspot Under Threat
The reason it’s the main agenda item is because it is an extremely high biodiversity hotspot, including 6 of the seven main genera of marine turtles, including 76% of the world’s coral species. This high population quality per cubic meter of water has created many marine-related jobs. It fuels multiple industries like tourism, food, and cultural ties highlighted in the report released by Earth Insight and SkyTruth titled “Coral Triangle at Risk: Fossil Fuel Threats and Impacts.”
The Role of Fossil Fuels in Threatening Coral Triangle Biodiversity
The report provides an outline of the alarming and shocking data related to oil and gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) industries. Special attention was paid to fossil fuel threats to the coral triangle. The report classified two kinds of blocks affected and threatened via fossil fuel:
- Active Oil and Gas Blocks: Over 100 blocks cover approximately 120,000 square kilometres.
- Exploratory Blocks: 450 additional blocks spanning 1.6 million square kilometres are under exploration, potentially impacting 16% of the Coral Triangle.
According to the report, the major ecological impacts are not limited to the coral triangle. They affect the biodiversity population of the mangrove forest, seagrass beds, and reefs themselves.
| Area Impacted | Percentage of Area Impacted | Cause of Major Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Coral Reefs | 24% | coral reefs are overlapped by fossil fuel extraction zones. |
| Seagrass Beds | 22% | seagrass habitats are impacted by drilling and infrastructure. |
| Mangrove Forests | 37% | mangroves lie within active or exploratory fossil fuel zones |
Also Read: World Lags Meeting 2030 Biodiversity Goals As COP16 Talks Begin
The Push for Special Protection: Designating the Coral Triangle as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area
The reason for the push is simple and clear: Nearly 800 oil slicks have been recorded since 2020, mostly from bilge dumping by vessels, and so many more go unreported; just last year, in 2023, in the Philippines, the Princess Empress oil spill harmed over 20 marine protected areas (MPAs) and impacted 21,000 families, causing widespread disease, lack of accessible water and a halt to related livelihood projects to avoid such a circumstance in the future.
Multiple sessions held on the coral triangle had experts recommending it be declared a PSSA, a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area, by imposing strict regulations and restrictions regarding the overexploitation of marine life via fishing. Oil and gas companies constantly engage in bile dumping and flaunt oil spills, and researchers recommend ‘no discharge zones ‘.
Likewise, when declared a PSSA, the Great Barrier Reef received protection from oil spills and pollution. An estimated 120 million people depend on the Coral Triangle’s fishing, tourism, and food security resources for their livelihood which is why COP16 was a major step in the movement towards conservation as multiple countries and organizations came together to recognise the issues within the Coral Triangle promoting discourse and awareness.
Also Read: World Lags Meeting 2030 Biodiversity Goals As COP16 Talks Begin
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