Activities 
    In 2009

Mapping of legal treaty provisions in marine areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction:  This activity involves mapping out complicated legal provisions in marine areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction with Geographical Information Systems, in collaboration with IUCN. Subject to funding, mapping of human uses in marine areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction may also be initiated.

Biogeographic classification of open ocean and deep seabed environments

A study on acidification and fertilization

Review of the CBD's Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Programme of Work

Study of the ecosystem approach in deep and open ocean environments: The project, together with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), has composed a review of the best available scientific studies on biodiversity conservation in marine areas. This review has been published as a joint CBD and UNU-IAS report in the CBD Technical Services. The project has also participated in the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) to develop a bioregional classification for the Southern Ocean and assisted in the development of the Global Open Oceans and Deep Sea Bed Biogeographic Classification. The project also has representation on the steering committee of the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands, and provides leadership to the working group on marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. Research results feed into the processes of  the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) and are also used in the development and implementation of a training course on ecosystem approaches to ocean management.

Analysis of Recent Advances in Ocean Energy: This research involves analyzing the current state of the art technologies in Ocean Energy, highlighting the blocking regulatory problems that these technologies are encountering and in what areas it is desirable to have further government encouragement. This research is being undertaken in close collaboration with leading companies in the Ocean Energy Industry, such as SeaGen Ltd. and WaveDragon Ltd.  Dr. David Leary (former UNU-IAS JSPS Fellow) at the University of New South Wales is also a researcher on this project.  Expected outputs include two journal papers in environmental law journals and a follow up to the UNU-IAS Report that was presented at a side event in the UNFCCC COP14 in Poznan with final presentation at the COP15 in Copenhagen.

Estimating the economic damage and remedial costs of an increase in typhoon intensity in the Asian Pacific Region: This research uses a computer model to simulate the effects of a (as yet hypothetical) increase in typhoon intensity on various economic and development parameters in the Asia-Pacific Region (such as downtime in economic activities or the need for increased investment in port infrastructure). The computer model is based on a Monte-Carlo Simulation developed by Miguel Esteban (UNU-IAS JSPS Fellow 2007-2009), and currently there are two journal papers under review. Also, various applications of the model have been submitted to various conferences.  The Monte-Carlo model might be applied to investigate further effects of climate change.

Economic and Sovereignty issues of the Disappearance of Island Nations in the Pacific: This is in collaboration with Lilian Yamamoto from Kanagawa University. The research is in its early stages, but the main objective is to evaluate the sovereignty issues of the disappearance of island nations. Can a country still exist if it holds no land? Who controls the resources around a chain of islands that disappear? Two conference papers and a panel discussion have have been proposed (including one at the IARU International Scientific Congress on Climate Change). Pending on the reception of the work these will be expanded into journal papers.

Risk Assessment of Breakwater Stability: In co-operation with Yokohama National University and Penta-Ocean Construction Ltd. This work is a continuation of the PhD thesis of UNU-IAS JSPS Fellow, Miguel Esteban who recently  received the CEJ Award of 2007 (Best paper of the Year Award) for "Improvement in Calculation of Resistance Force on Caisson Sliding due to Tilting". This research is of great importance to assess the damage that can be suffered by coastal structures due to the effects of climate change. One further journal paper is expected from this work, based on hydraulic laboratory experiments and computer simulations.

Risk Assessment of Tsunami Damage: In co-operation with Yokohama National University and Penta-Ocean Construction Ltd, this is also a continuation of the PhD thesis of UNU-IAS JSPS Fellow, Miguel Esteban, destined for engineering conferences.  This research involves mostly hydraulic laboratory experiments.

Publications

Report: Traditional Marine Management Areas of the Pacific in the Context of National and International Law and Policy

Esteban, M., Takagi, H. and Shibayama, T. (2009). “Methodology for the Simulation of the Construction of a Breakwater Taking into Account Climate and Construction Accident Risks”. Coastal Engineering Journal, Vol. 51, No.1 (2009) pp 49-68.

Esteban, M., Nguyen Danh Thao , Takagi, H. and Shibayama, T. (2008) “Laboratory Experiments on the Sliding Failure of a Caisson Breakwater Subjected to Solitary Wave Attack”. PACOMS-ISOPE Conference, Bangkok, Thailand.

Webersik, C., Esteban M., Shibayama, T. (2009) "Measuring the Economic Loss due to Future Increase in Tropical Cyclones in East Asia: Potential for Conflict or Cooperation?" International Studies Association’s (ISA) 50th Annual Convention EXPLORING THE PAST, ANTICIPATING THE FUTURE", New York USA.

Esteban M., Webersik, C., Shibayama, T. (2008)“Estimation of the economic costs of non adapting Japanese port infrastructure to a potential increase in tropical cyclone intensity”, IARU International Scientific Congress on Climate Change, Copenhagen, Denmark, March 2009.

Yamamoto, L. and Esteban M. (2009)“ Possible economical and sovereignty issues of the disappearance of island nations”, IARU International Scientific Congress on Climate Change, Copenhagen, Denmark, March 2009.

Webersik, C, Esteban M., Shibayama, T. (2009) "The economic impact of future increase in tropical cyclones in Japan", IARU International Scientific Congress on Climate Change, Copenhagen, Denmark, March 2009.

Book Chapter: Leary, D. and Esteban, M. (2009) “Climate Change and the Oceans: Gauging the Legal and Policy Currents in the Asia Pacific Region”.

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For further information please contact

Wendy S. Elliott
Programme Associate
elliott@ias.unu.edu