14 LIFE BELOW WATER
The sea has a great impact on our lives. The richness of the sea brings us many blessings. If the richness of the sea is lost, our lives will be greatly damaged, and in some cases, it may have a critical impact on various lives, including human beings.
If human activities are causing marine pollution, destruction of marine ecosystems, and depletion of resources, we must review these activities and change our behavior in order to protect the richness of the ocean. Otherwise, we may lose the richness of the sea in the future.
In promoting business activities, companies should understand the impact of their activities on the ocean and marine resources, and take measures to prevent adverse effects.
In addition, the United Nations has set 10 specific targets for "Let's protect the abundance of the sea". In order to actually achieve the goals of "Let's protect the abundance of the sea," let's take a look at these targets and think about them.
14.1 By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
It is about preventing and reducing marine pollution.
Companies are required to understand the impact of their business activities on marine pollution, work to prevent and reduce marine pollution caused by their own activities, and participate in awareness-raising activities for marine pollution prevention. .
14.1 Draft Course of Action
・"We will understand the impact of our business activities on marine pollution, work to prevent and reduce marine pollution caused by our activities, and participate in awareness-raising activities to prevent marine pollution."
14.2 By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
Here you will find information about efforts to restore marine and coastal ecosystems.
Companies will be required to understand the impact of their business activities on marine and coastal ecosystems and, if necessary, take measures to reduce and recover from such adverse impacts.
14.2 Draft Course of Action
・"We will understand the impact of our business activities on the marine and coastal ecosystems and, if necessary, take measures to reduce and recover from such adverse impacts."
14.3 Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
Here you can read about countermeasures against ocean acidification.
As a company, it will be necessary to understand the impact of business activities on ocean acidification and, if necessary, to promote scientific research and cooperation in order to minimize it.
14.3 Draft Course of Action
・"We will understand the impact of our business activities on ocean acidification and, if necessary, promote scientific research and cooperation to minimize it."
14.4 By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
Here, catch regulations and fisheries management for the protection of marine resources are written. Whether it will work if we follow a scientific management plan, whether we can coordinate the interests of each country, and whether it will be difficult to regulate illegal and unreported fishing. However, it is an issue that cannot be ignored.
As a company, it is important to understand the impact of business activities on marine resources, actively cooperate with management plans to minimize the impact, and participate in awareness-raising activities to protect marine resources.
14.4 Draft Course of Action
・"We will understand the impact of our business activities on marine resources, actively cooperate with management plans to minimize the impact, and participate in awareness-raising activities for the protection of marine resources."
14.5 By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
This document describes numerical targets for coastal areas and marine protected areas.
As a company, it would be desirable for you to comply with the law and participate in awareness-raising activities for the protection of protected areas designated by the national government.
14.5 Draft Course of Action
・"We will comply with the law and participate in awareness-raising activities for the protection of protected areas designated by the national government."
14.6 By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
Here it is written about the prohibition of subsidies that lead to overfishing.
As a company, we can think of ways to cooperate, such as by avoiding association with operators who engage in excessive fishing or illegal/unreported fishing.
14.6 Draft Course of Action
・"Do not associate with companies that engage in excessive fishing or illegal/unreported fishing"
14.7 By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
Here, it is written about increasing economic benefits for least developed countries and others through sustainable management of marine resources and tourism.
As a company, when expanding into a developing country, we can think of contributing measures such as participating in awareness-raising and support activities for sustainable management of marine resources and tourism in that country.
14.7 Draft Course of Action
・“When expanding into developing countries, we will participate in awareness-raising and support activities for sustainable management of marine resources and tourism in those countries.”
14.a Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
Here, it is written about technology research for improving the health of the ocean and technology transfer to developing countries.
As a company, when expanding overseas, it is a contribution to minimize the deterioration of the environment in business in developing countries, etc., and if necessary, to proactively plan technology research and technology transfer to developing countries, etc. It is possible.
14.a Draft Course of Action
・"When expanding overseas, we will minimize environmental deterioration in projects in the development of developing countries, etc., and proactively plan technology research and technology transfer to developing countries, etc., if necessary."
14.b Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
Here is written about supporting small artisanal fishers.
As a company, it may be possible to contribute by providing a system that makes it easier for small-scale artisanal fishers to trade.
14.b Draft Course of Action
・ “We will provide a system that makes it easy for small-scale artisanal fishers to trade.”
14.c Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"
Here you can read about the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
As a company, it will be necessary to pay close attention to trends in international treaties when promoting businesses that affect the ocean.
14.c Draft Course of Action
・"We will also pay attention to trends in international treaties when proceeding with projects that affect the ocean."
*Return to About Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Corporate Action Policy
