AUSTRALIA

CONVENTION ON BLUE ECONOMY

-Opening GSL speech
Respected Chairs, Co-Chairs, and fellow delegates,
With the sixth largest coastline and third largest marine area in the world, the marine
environment of Australia is intertwined with the national identity and the lifestyle of the
people of Australia.

Australia is considered a ‘blue carbon hotspot’, with 12% of the world’s blue carbon
ecosystems. The Australian Government is taking a range of measures to restore,
conserve and account for blue carbon ecosystems which are critical to reducing carbon
emissions.

Australia has committed to restoring and conserving the marine parks of Australia as
they cover approximately 20% of Australia’s EEZ.

Australia has joined the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, committing

to sustainably manage 100 percent of its marine estates by 2025.

Australia has a National Marine Science Plan which lists 7 grand challenges.

 marine sovereignty, security, and safety

• energy security

• food security

• biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health

• urban coastal environments

• climate variability and change

• resource allocation.

Australia would like to work with allies to form a resolution for a sustainable blue
economy.
 QUESTIONS and answers

Why is the GBR getting bleached?

A slight increase in temperature can cause coral reefs to bleach. We have designated the GBR as a
protected Marine Area so we can protect and preserve it.

Oil and gas why?

Australia is still dependent on non-renewable sources for most of its energy. Australia is working on
removing dependency on fossil fuels by increasing renewable sources. Renewable energy from sources
provided about 29% of Australia’s electricity in 2021, which is a 5% increase from 2020.

What policies have been taken to combat climate change?

Many policies have been taking place regarding the decommissioning of oil rigs and the CCUS (Carbon
Capture use, and Storage policy which is a proven technology that reduces. Australia also plans to be
net-zero by 2050 and has signed the Paris agreement.

Another answer for whatever-

The previous government of Australia has caused a bad reputation of Australia regarding Climate
Change. The new government is centered around sustainability and will work towards removing this
reputation and work to save the planet.
 MOD CAUCUS
6 TOPICS TO PREPARE ON
-DEFINING AN IDEAL BLUE ECONOMY
-PROS AND CONS
-IMPORTANCE
-CHALLENGES
-BENEFITS
-BLUE TOURISM

What is an ideal blue economy?

-An ideal blue economy is, sustainable, safe for the ocean, and promotes the economy. It should
bring human well-being, social equity, and environmental sustainability into harmony.
Australia has taken several steps to ensure that the ideal blue economy starts taking shape by
championing greater blue carbon cooperation to mitigate the impact of climate change and protect
its ocean along with enabling new opportunities for sustainable economic growth.
The Star of the South became the first offshore wind project to receive Major Project Status
from Australia. The Star of the South offshore wind farm is planned to have up to 200 wind
turbines.

PROS AND CONS OF A BLUE ECONOMY

the blue economy can create jobs,

spur economic growth,
and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
help meet the food needs of a growing global population.
CONS
- Expensive

IMPORTANCE
Australia is a country that relies heavily on the ocean, and thus a blue economy is extremely
important. More than 85% of Australians live next to the coast. Australia believes that a
sustainable blue economy is a way forward to a safe and secure future. In response to this, it
has taken efforts to lessen dependency on non-renewable energy sources and add more
renewable energy to the energy mix.
Renewable energy from sources like wind, solar and hydro provided about 29% of Australia’s
electricity generation in 2021. This includes both large generators and small solar PV systems
owned by Australian families and businesses. An increase of 5% from 2020

As of 30 June 2022, there are over 3.1 million solar power PV systems and more than 4.6
million small-scale renewable installations in Australia.

Wind and solar energies are now the cheapest forms of new electricity generation in terms of
electricity produced.

Challenges
As Australia is still dependent on oil and gas for the majority of its energy combustion, one
major challenge for building a sustainable blue economy is to reduce dependence on fossil fuels
as they risk oil spills and causing one of Australia’s greatest World Heritage sites, the Great
Barrier Reef to bleach, which is harmful to the environment and disrupts the marine ecosystem.
Illegal fishing presents a serious challenge as well. Global fisheries are in a
precarious state. The loss of a single species can trigger catastrophic damage,
as the balance is disturbed with effects on dependent species and sometimes
whole ecosystems.

BENEFITS
- the blue economy can create jobs,

spur economic growth,

and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
help meet the food needs of a growing global population.

Under a sustainable blue economy, maritime and coastal activities reconcile

economic development, improved livelihoods, and social inclusion with
fighting the climate crisis, protecting biodiversity and ecosystems, using
resources responsibly and achieving net-zero carbon emission rates, and
reaching the standards of the Paris agreement.

BLUE TOURISM
Australia is world-renowned for its amazing and fascinating marine wildlife
tourism. The TourismAustralia Act 2004 makes sure that
Australia fosters a sustainable tourism industry and
extends to blue tourism as well.