This article examines the Advisory Opinion on climate change put forth by the International Tribunal for the law of the sea and its implications for the future integration of ocean and climate governances at both international and national levels. Although the Climate Change Advisory Opinion cannot definitively resolve all questions regarding the relationship between the law of the sea and climate change, it establishes a flexible and scalable framework for clarifying the application and interpretation of the law of the sea, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in the context of climate change. The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea recognizes the role of ocean carbon protection as a means of addressing climate change through both adaptation and mitigation. This recognition can enhance legal and financial certainties regarding blue carbon in international cooperation and domestic policy.

I. Introduction
II. The Climate Change Advisory Opinion:Is it a Cautious Step Forward?
    A. Key Elements of the Climate Change Advisory Opinion
    B. Initial Responses to the Climate Change Advisory Opinion
III. Legal and Governance Implications of the Climate Change Advisory Opinion:An Evaluation
    A. The Climate Change Advisory Opinion and Enhanced Legal Actions
    B. The Climate Change Advisory Opinion and IntegratedOcean–climate Governance
IV. Conclusion

• Xuan Zhu(Associated Professor, the Research Center of Pacific Island Countries, Liaocheng University-Liaocheng, China)
• Wei Shen(KoGuan Distinguished Professor of Law at Shanghai Jiao Tong University KoGuan School of Law, China) Corresponding author