Implementing and Monitoring the Sustainable Development Goals in the Caribbean: The Role of the Ocean

Session 3: Ocean-related variables and indicators essential for SDG implementation and monitoring in Caribbean Small Island States

Co-Chairs: Zahidah Afrin Nisa and Milton Haughton

This session aimed to merge existing scientific knowledge with the understanding of the societal problem of making progress towards the SDGs in Caribbean SIS developed in the first two sessions. The goal of the session was to use the knowledge needs identified in the first two session to co-create a prioritized inventory of those ocean-related variables and indicators that can inform the development and validation of sustainability policies in the SIS, and can help to engage the people in the implementation of these policies. The inventory aimed to include those variables and indices that characterizing the physical, chemical, and biological state and trends of the ocean that are essential for both the development and validation of policies in support of SDG implementation and needed for the monitoring of progress towards the targets and more sustainability. The initial presentation gave an overview of work done by experts to identify essential ocean variables and showed examples of observation efforts to monitor these variables. Subsequently, a table discussion round took place.

Presentations

Laura Lorenzoni discussed “Ocean and sustainability-related variables: biology and biochemistry.” She emphasized the importance of having a prioritized list of variables essential for the development and validation of policies in support of SDG implementation and pointed out that there is already a list of Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) drafted by the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). She noted that there are different levels of “maturity” for each EOV, which impacts the capacity of employing that EOV for assessment. Important questions to consider include what is the existing observing capacity and what are the requirements for data and observing products needed to inform about ocean state. She went on to show the earth science missions that provide data for the EOVs and discussed a number of examples illustrating the value of the observations. Sea surface temperature and turbidity are linked to coral reef health. The Sargassum Watch System (SaWS) provides near real-time products based on satellite imagery and numerically-modelled surface currents. Coupled chlorophyll and sea surface temperature products can provide information on potential fishing grounds, enabling management. The biodiversity-related EOVs support the understanding of changes in biodiversity and ecosystems, and MBON is developing and end-to-end framework to define the relationships among physical, biogeochemical, and biological processes. She concluded by summarizing the chain of questions that need to be asked in developing observation platforms to address SDGs:

  • What are the needs?
  • What type of observing system is required?
  • What phenomena are associated with the needs? (i.e. scales)
  • What existing strategies and Earth Observing data can address the needs?
  • What are the gaps?

In the subsequent discussion, it was pointed out that the EU-funded ConnectinGEO project reviewed the work on EVs carried out in all societal benefit areas of GEO, and that this work revealed different EV-concepts as well as different approaches for identification and validation of the EVs in each thematic area. It was pointed out that UNEP takes a leading role in assessing the state of pollution, while FAO is concerned about the state of fisheries. Concerning coral reefs, it was proposed to map resilient coral reefs by looking for sites that are less exposed to ocean warming or sites that have more resilient corals that are able to better withstand warmer waters.  

Table Discussion Round 2

The second table discussion round focused on the variables, and specifically ocean-related variables, that need to be known in order to generate knowledge in support of SDG implementation. The participants at each table were asked to consider the relevant questions from the following list:

  1. Is science support available to your government or your group to assist in decision making related to the implementation, monitoring and reporting of the SDGs?
  2. Are scenario-based approaches used to assess policy options and their potential impacts and to evaluate the policy impacts?
  3. In your thematic area, what data are used to address the challenges for SDG implementation and to monitor progress?
  4. What ocean-related data are available and accessible and what data are missing or not fit-for-purpose?
  5. Are you aware of knowledge and capacity gaps impacting your efforts to make progress towards the goals?
  6. What practical steps would you recommend to address the knowledge and capacity gaps identified?
  7. What ocean-related variables should be monitored to support your efforts to implement and monitor the SDGs?

The participants grouped into five tables with the topics:

  1. Supporting a Sustainable Blue Economy - SDGs 8, 9, 10, 12, 13
  2. Food and Water Security, Health, Poverty - SDGs 1, 2, 3, 6
  3. Maritime Transportation, Fisheries, Pollution, Marine Biodiversity - Implementing SDGs 14, 15
  4. Ocean and Safe and Thriving Communities - SDGs 7, 10, 11, 12, 13
  5. Climate Change, Biodiversity, and the Ocean SDGs 13, 14, 15

Table 1: Supporting a Sustainable Blue Economy - SDGs 8, 9, 10, 12, 13

Moderation and reporting: Alan Evans; participants: Julian Roberts, Douglas Wilson, Joseph Smith Abbott, Robin Hoflund, Clare Morall.

Must not dismiss the need for soci-economic data and the value of marine data to understand the economic value. In particular for eco-system based management, eco-system health and natural capital valuation.

Access to independent data sets for validation of consultative efforts, such as EIA. Issue relating to scale and resolution.

Remote sensing in the ocean different to land in that for the ocean you need subsurface data - In situ mapping and monitoring of sub-surface variables. Need for 3-Dimensional data/basemaps

Absence of data could inhibit decision making, as politicians may use it as an excuse not to make decisions. Maybe employ the precautionary approach.

Need to build resilience into infrastructure by way of understanding what’s required and using this to determine whether such investments is responsible, e.g. sea level rise/habitats maps . SDG9 and SDG14.

SDG8 and 9 — economic growth and infrastructure — MSP needs to be dynamic and adaptive by way of future forecasting, scenarios and updating data.

Whilst in an ideal word we need as much data of all marine variables. However in the real world key data would be those that provide data to support indicators for the most important issues for the state, each has its own priorities, so cynical targeting of data to address specific indicators may be inefficient and of no use. Maybe look at each countries Blue Economy essential ocean variables.

Table 2: Food and Water Security, Health, Poverty - SDGs 1, 2, 3, 6

Moderation and Reporting: Rose Alabaster, Emily Smail

This table addressed selected questions:  

Question 1: Is science support available to your government or your group to assist in decision making related to the implementation, monitoring and reporting of the SDGs?

  • In Trinidad and Tobago, the central statistical agency will collect information on food water security but it isn't at a level where it is answering questions sufficiently.
  • Certain indicators have been traditionally monitoring, but the science support from universities informing or guiding those processes is limited. The national agencies depend on UN Water and other international bodies for methodologies, data sources. An issue is that some of those are at a macro level and not a customized level.
  • SDGs first need to be integrated into national plans. Most islands lack capacity for monitoring and reporting. They aren't yet reporting on inwardly for national targets. First need to understand the baseline.
  • The traditional sources of science in the West Indies haven't yet been tapped into in the region. There is a need for strategic engagement of science.
 

Question 2: Are scenario-based approaches used to assess policy options and their potential impacts and to evaluate the policy impacts?

     
  • There is a disconnect between scientists and sustainability actors. It needs to be a asked what type of sciences is needed to provide the analysis for options.
  • Scenario modeling is needed for decision making and also helps identify requirements for data/obs to collect that information.
  • Decision and policy makers needs recommendations based on scenario studies. Available recommendations are typically for technocrats. The packaging of the recommendations is important.
  • Required are specific and empowering recommendations. This would also helps to inform what data need to be collect.
 

Question 3: In your thematic area, what data are used to address the challenges for SDG implementation and to monitor progress?

     
  • There is a lot of good data for water, temperature. Need to have more information on sanitation aspects. Reuse of sanitation - using satellite maps for built infrastructure. Land use.
  •  Urban agriculture, natural ways to deal with settlements. Natural wetlands.
  •  Regulatory bodies for health and detection. What are current sources of data? Once it has been identified what is going to do be done, observation needs can be defined. Examples discussed included monitoring of fecal matter and toxic waste for industries.
   

Question 4: What ocean-related data are available and accessible and what data are missing or not fit-for-purpose?

     
  • Narrowing down of hot spots for satellite areas. For poverty and health, socioeconomic analyses are needed. For health, transdisciplinary linkages are important: when are people getting sick and what they are doing.  
  • There is a need to identify the purpose - it has been transitionally safeguarding human health  
  • Need a lot of baseline pollution data, impact data that is region specific.  
  • Data accessibility: impacted be a lack of freedom of information, and no right to access the information. What are data governance, data security?
 

Question 5: Are you aware of knowledge and capacity gaps impacting your efforts to make progress towards the goals?

     
  • How to demonstrate the value added for things that don't generate direct revenue. This could use scenarios and underline the importance.
  • Always be context based. There is a need for a more holistic way, outside of more immediate benefits.
  • Information on impacts needs to available to the communities. Should be public so that the public can react.
 

Question 6: What practical steps would you recommend to address the knowledge and capacity gaps identified?

     
  • What are we trying to solve?  
  • What format do we need the data in to communicate the issue?  
  • What is the framework the knowledge transfer? Is it flexible? Is it sustainable?  
  • Need information for micro-level decisions, too course?
 

Question 7: What ocean-related variables should be monitored to support your efforts to implement and monitor the SDGs?

     
  • Information for fisheries, water quality, erosion potential, litter, impact on tourism.
 

Table 3: Maritime Transportation, Fisheries, Pollution, Marine Biodiversity - Implementing SDGs 14, 15

Moderation and Reporting: Attish Kanhai, Thema Ward.

Question 1: Is Science support available for decision making?

Answer: There is some support available for decisions making, however, many gaps exist. A lot of research is done by universities and private companies, however a lot of this data is not transferrable or in a usable form. More scientific data is available for land as opposed to the sea as the land is easier to investigate. This usually creates a land bias in decision making Data availability is also a problem as a lot of data is collected but not made available to the public.

A lot of data is not fit for purpose.

Question 6: What practical steps can be taken?

Answer: Create a central repository for the collection of data. A structured approach needs to be taken for the training of locals in data collection as small numbers of people are available for training in many cases. Different authorities also need to work together in order to share data. Traditional knowledge also needs to be captured. There needs to be a more integrated approach when seeking scenario based solutions. There needs to be a top down approach if necessary where high level departments force all sectors into a more integrated approach. There is need for a common vision where all sectors are included.

Question 7: What data is useful?

There was no simple answer to this question. Only three were identified: Sea surface temperature at a local level, Reef track health and coastal erosion in terms of beach profiling.

The roundtable also noted especially that for some smaller island states even though there are many projects to check and monitor sea level rise, a lack of funding or follow through sometimes creates issues. Unfortunately, although some governments hire private companies to carry out related research, it very often is not made mandatory or a requirement that data obtain must be handed over to government. Thus, valuable data that is pertinent to the governments' regular duties are not available. The table participants also agreed that coordination and an integrated structure should be in place especially in the Caribbean.

Table 4: Ocean and Safe and Thriving Communities - SDGs 7, 10, 11, 12, 13

Moderation and Reporting: Shona Paterson, Artie Dubrie.

Table 5: Climate Change, Biodiversity, and the Ocean SDGs 13, 14, 15

Moderation and Reporting: Laura Lorenzoni, Cesar Toro.

This workshop was sponsored by:


under grant 80NSSC17K0241