Adriano Quintela, a member of the Blue Azores Program, announced that this development marks a “historical milestone” for the country, region, and European Union, as “there is an Azorean, Portuguese, and Atlantic initiative that includes a working group focused on ocean protection.”
The marine biologist, who holds a doctorate in geography, views the region as “a driving force for including oceans on the climate agenda,” demonstrating that “the Azores and Portugal are actively contributing to the implementation of global conservation goals.”
In October 2024, the Azores Regional Assembly approved the creation of the Azores Marine Protected Areas Network (RAMPA), encompassing an area of 287,000 square kilometers, covering approximately 30% of the archipelago’s sea.
“Ultimately, it’s undoubtedly a historical milestone for the country and European Union, reflecting the international recognition of Blue Azores as a concrete example of oceanic leadership,” the scientist emphasized.
Adriano Quintela will make several interventions in the working groups at COP30 and intends to “share the experience in creating and managing marine protected areas, based on science and local dialogue and commitment.”
The scientist aims to demonstrate at COP30 that “the Azores approach is replicable, combining scientific knowledge developed in the region, involving ocean-dependent communities, and a long-term vision.”
The goal is to “inspire other island and coastal regions to adopt effective shared governance models,” according to the expert, presenting the Azores as a region that has “managed to balance conservation and sustainable development.”
The working group, which includes Adriano Quintela, will produce a “solution barn” at COP30 to be submitted to the United Nations to ensure oceans are part of the action agenda to combat climate change.
Adriano Quintela will explain that the full implementation of the Azores Marine Protected Areas Network (RAMPA) by 2028 positions the Azores as “one of the first regions in the world to achieve comprehensive and science-based marine protection, anticipating the global 30×30 target.”
“Unlike many conservation efforts that are centralized, also known as ‘top-down,’ the Azores model demonstrates that ambitious protection can be combined with sustainable use, addressing a longstanding challenge of balancing marine conservation with local community livelihoods,” he believes.
Adriano Quintela argues that “sustainable ocean planning involves Marine Protected Areas with management strategies, meaning they shouldn’t just be ‘paper areas.'”
In the case of the Azores, the Management Strategy for the Azores Marine Protected Areas Network (EGRAMPA) will be published by the end of the year, marking a “very important milestone for the implementation of these areas.”
Delegations from 170 countries begin today in Belém, Brazil, a two-week negotiating marathon to seek solutions to the climate crisis at a conference aimed at action.
This United Nations Climate Change Conference is the 30th in a series that began following the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro (ECO92).
The general goal is to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by humanity, especially from the burning of fossil fuels (oil, gas, and coal), which cause a greenhouse effect on the planet and are warming it, disrupting the climate. This goal has never been achieved.
