071 - Safeguarding coral reefs from harmful chemicals in sunscreen

071 - Safeguarding coral reefs from harmful chemicals in sunscreen

Latest version in this language: Version for electronic vote | Published on: 01 Sep 2020

EMPHASISING that coral-reef ecosystems play a fundamental role in ecological, social and economic well-being;

AWARE that over 60% of the world’s coral reefs are at risk from factors including climate change, pollution and overfishing;

RECOGNISING that sunscreen is a source of coral-reef pollution and scientists have found that certain chemicals in sunscreen contribute to coral-reef bleaching and pose a threat to healthy coral-reef ecosystems, even at extremely low concentrations;

CONCERNED that 6,000 to 14,000 tons of sunscreen wash into the ocean every year;

RECOGNISING that sound coral-reef management and protection is integral to a strong and healthy marine ecosystem;

HIGHLIGHTING that Hawai‘i, Palau, US Virgin Islands, and certain parts of Mexico and the Florida Keys have banned sunscreens containing chemicals harmful to coral reefs;

RECALLING the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 and its 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets, particularly Target 10, “By 2015, the multiple anthropogenic pressures on coral reefs, and other vulnerable ecosystems impacted by climate change or ocean acidification are minimized, so as to maintain their integrity and functioning”;

UNDERLINING that the Fourth edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO-4) found that Aichi Biodiversity Target 10 is not being met and that significantly accelerated actions are needed to reverse this trend;

RECOGNISING that the proposed IUCN Programme 2021–2024 identifies restoring the health of the world ocean as one of five priority areas;

ACKNOWLEDGING Goal (3) of the International Coral Reef Initiative Plan of Action 2016–2018 to “review issues related to the impact of sunscreens and other endocrine disruptors on coral reefs, and encourage the production of sunscreens that are proven not to damage coral reefs” and the ICRI study on ‘Impacts of Sunscreens on Coral Reefs’ that provides several recommendations; and

APPRECIATING IUCN’s longstanding commitment to coral-reef protection;

The IUCN World Conservation Congress, at its session in Marseille, France:

1. URGES the Species Survival Commission (SSC) to conduct an assessment on best practices to inform and help State Members to protect coral reefs from the harmful chemicals found in sunscreen;

2. CALLS ON the World Commission on Environmental Law (WCEL) to:

a. compile examples of existing legislation or regulations adopted for the purpose of protecting coral reefs from harmful chemicals found in sunscreen, with analysis and recommendations concerning the various approaches; and

b. provide guidance to State Members to develop legislation or regulations to protect coral reefs from harmful chemicals found in sunscreen; and

3. REQUESTS Members, based on available guidance and/or model legislation and regulation, to encourage the adoption and implementation of model legislation to protect coral reefs from harmful chemicals found in sunscreen.

Vitally important in terms of biodiversity, culture, and economics; coral reef ecosystems have often been described as the “rainforests of the sea.” Coral reef ecosystems serve as resources for food, income, and protection for over half a billion people. Around the world, healthy and resilient coral reefs are crucially important to indigenous cultures. As hotspots of biodiversity, they “cover less than 1% of the ocean’s floor, but nearly one million species of fish, invertebrates, and algae are estimated to live in and around the world’s reefs.” (National Park Service). In addition to the value of coral reefs in terms of biodiversity, culture, and nature, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) notes that coral reef ecosystems provide an estimated economic value of 375 billion dollars per year.
Despite the abundant benefits of healthy coral reefs, they are facing mounting threats. Scientists estimate that up to ten percent of the world’s reefs are threatened due to sunscreen induced coral reef bleaching. (Danovaro et al.). Studies have shown that even at extremely low concentrations, certain chemicals in sunscreen, such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, are causing rapid and complete bleaching of hard corals. (Danovaro et al.). A 2016 study concluded that “oxybenzone poses a hazard to coral reef conservation and threatens the resiliency of coral reefs to climate change.” (Downs et al.). Estimates show that 6,000 to 14,000 tons of sunscreen wash into the ocean every year, yet this is not spread out amongst the entire ocean, instead it is concentrated in some of the world’s most popular marine destination areas, such as national parks.
Worldwide, coral reef degradation is a critical concern. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Aichi Target 10 sought to reduce anthropogenic pressures on coral reefs, yet the Fourth edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook found that “we have actually moved away from achieving this target.” To counter this trend, the Conference of the Parties (COP) adopted priority actions, including “reducing the impacts of multiple stressors, in particular those stressors that are more tractable at the regional, national, and local levels.” The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) adopted goal 3-5, specifically related to the impacts of sunscreens on coral reefs. In response to this goal, the Government of Sweden conducted a study on the impacts of sunscreens on coral reefs and advocated for a proactive and precautionary approach.
In 2018, the Hawaiʻi Legislature recognized the harmful impacts of oxybenzone and octinoxate to Hawaii’s marine environment and enacted a law banning the sale of sunscreens containing those chemicals. Additional regions have begun adopting bans of sunscreens containing chemicals harmful to coral reefs, including Palau, US Virgin Islands, certain parts of Mexico, and parts of the Florida Keys. While most bans prohibit the sale, some bans, including the US Virgin Islands ban, also prohibit the distribution and import of sunscreens containing harmful chemicals. With the health and resiliency of coral reef ecosystems at risk, the damaging impacts of certain chemicals found in sunscreen is a key concern. IUCN support would serve a valuable purpose in conserving these incomparable ecosystems.
  • Center for Environmental Legal Studies [United States of America]
  • Center for Large Landscape Conservation [United States of America]
  • Environmental Law Program at the William S. Richardson School of Law [United States of America]
  • Re:wild [United States of America]
  • Palau Conservation Society [Palau]
  • SYLVIA EARLE ALLIANCE (DBA MISSION BLUE) [United States of America]

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