PILLAR 1:

ABOUT THE PILLAR

The initial focus of this pillar is mapping existing ocean regimes and institutions that address critical issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution—including plastic pollution—on both global and regional scales, particularly in areas beyond national jurisdiction. This mapping is crucial for understanding the unique mandates and institutional structures of these regimes, as well as identifying potential areas for reform.

Research tasks under this pillar encompass several key activities,  including exploring legal theories and philosophical perspectives on the interactions between regional and international regimes and institutions. It will also assess how specific provisions and mechanisms outlined in the BBNJ Agreement might interface with current mechanisms and approaches that address significant environmental and social issues.

Furthermore, the research will examine multi-sectoral governance and stewardship in pilot areas, such as the Sargasso Sea, the Costa Rica Thermal Dome, and the Salas y Gómez and Nazca Ridges, along with other selected locations in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. This analysis aims to identify and propose models for implementing area-based regulatory tools for regions beyond national jurisdiction.