Freshwater and oceans
Freshwater and oceans are essential to life on Earth, regulating global temperatures and supporting biodiversity. However, they are under increasing pressure from human activities, including pollution from agriculture, industry, and wastewater, as well as habitat destruction, overfishing. These issues, exacerbated by climate change, impact biodiversity and ecosystem functions.
Market-based initiatives to protect water and marine ecosystems include:
Water usage and quality management:
Monitoring water consumption and ensuring wastewater meets legal and quality standards to prevent contamination.
Pollution control:
Reducing harmful chemicals in agriculture and aquaculture, limiting pollutants, and establishing water quality monitoring.
Sustainable fishing practices:
Using eco-friendly fishing gear, preventing illegal fishing, and managing fish stocks to avoid overfishing.
Habitat conservation:
Protecting coastal and marine habitats from development to support both human and marine life.
Ecosystem health monitoring:
Regularly assessing water and marine ecosystem health to guide sustainable management practices.