Legal pathways for blue carbon protection and ship pollution in China: integrated ocean and climate governance

Abstract Ship pollution poses a substantial threat to blue carbon ecosystems, which play a crucial role in carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation. This study explores the intersection between ship pollution control and blue carbon protection within China’s legal framework, thus analyzing the integration of ocean and climate governance. The study firstly examines the importance of international legal instruments, such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Paris Agreement, in relation to the protection of blue carbon emissions. Subsequently, the study identifies major gaps in China’s legislation, regulation, and justice, including a lack of clear legal definitions for blue carbon, limited integration into the China Certified Emission Reduction system, and inadequate mechanisms for addressing environmental damage due to ship pollution. To address these issues, the study proposes comprehensive legal pathways, such as a formal recognition of blue carbon in China’s environmental laws, the formulation of a sound regulatory framework for blue carbon trading, and improvements in judicial practice to ensure effective enforcement and accountability. By aligning ship pollution control with blue carbon conservation, this study intends to contribute to China’s broad efforts to achieve its carbon neutrality goals and advance international ocean governance to promote sustainable marine and coastal ecosystems.