Environment · 2026-10-28 · Afternoon briefing

UN: Ocean's carbon absorption capacity has fallen by 6%

The ocean’s ability to absorb carbon has diminished by 6%, according to a new UN report published ahead of the COP31 climate conference. The world's oceans, which typically absorb around 30% of human-caused CO₂ and 90% of excess heat, are weakening as a carbon sink due to rising temperatures and changes in their chemistry and circulation. The report warns this process is expected to accelerate.

The study calls for restoring “blue carbon” ecosystems such as mangroves and seagrasses, which already sequester an estimated 407 million tonnes of CO₂ annually. However, the report's lead author, Sara Traerup, cautioned that such nature-based solutions must complement, not replace, fundamental emissions reductions, stating they should not be treated as a “shortcut.”

The burden of these changes falls disproportionately on Small Island Developing States, which contribute less than 1% of global emissions but are most exposed to ocean impacts. Some are already acting; in 2015, Seychelles restructured its foreign debt in a “debt-for-nature” swap to fund marine conservation, while Pacific nations like Fiji have begun mapping their coastal carbon stores.

Summary written by Cup of News with AI from the sources below. Check the originals for the full story.

Read the sources

• The role oceans play in slowing down climate change, data confirms
• Ocean carbon blind spot may skew climate forecasts
• South Korea turns to ocean ecosystems for carbon cuts
• UN Warns Climate Change Is Weakening Ocean's Carbon Absorption
• Good News: Healing Ozone Hole Could Restore Ocean’s Carbon Absorption

More stories in this edition

1. At least 64 dead in Spanish high-speed train collision
2. U.K. commits record $13.3bn to plug Ukraine's 2027 budget gap
3. Iran dismisses Qatari peace plan as 'unacceptable'
4. Iran hosts new Mecca alliance for talks amid warnings
5. UK raids bank profits to fund £2.6bn energy relief plan
6. Singapore confronts 10 firms over cross-border haze
7. Shadman's 99 puts Bangladesh in charge vs West Indies
8. Netball: Australia denies New Zealand a Constellation Cup sweep
9. Boxing champion Amanda Serrano to retire in January

Read the whole edition