Featured: Countries sign onto a joint declaration on ocean and climate action Arrow Featured: 10 ocean events to watch out for at COP28 Arrow Featured: Read the new report: The Ocean as a Solution to Climate Change Arrow Featured: Read the Ocean Panel Leaders joint communiqué issued at the 2023 UN General Assembly Arrow

Top Ocean Moments at COP28

COP28 negotiations in Dubai ended early on the morning of 13 December, as countries agreed on a new deal to tackle climate change. For the first time, fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas) are mentioned in the text which states that countries will “contribute… to transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems in a […]

Joint declaration on ocean and climate action

The health of the ocean, and the livelihoods and economies that depend on it, requires the world to urgently reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Achieving this goal necessitates rapid and deep and, in most cases immediate, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors beginning this decade. […]

Joint Ocean Panel Leaders Communiqué 2023

We, the members of the Ocean Panel, acknowledge that a healthy ocean is the foundation for a healthy planet, and we must take urgent and interlinked actions to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss and the significant threats they pose to ocean health and human wellbeing. A sustainable ocean […]

Norway Hosts Ocean Conference

Bergen, Norway   The Norwegian government is holding a special event on 17 April to bring the work of the Ocean Panel ‘home’ to a national audience. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre will lead a conference that places the work of the Ocean Panel into a national context in Norway. It will showcase the government’s […]

Our Ocean Conference – Commitments Roundup

The annual Our Ocean Conference took place in Panama on 2-3 March bringing together government, civil society and business groups to discuss and take action on key ocean issues. Now in its eighth year, the conference has become a major platform for countries to announce new commitments to protect the ocean. This year, participants made […]

All 17 Ocean Panel countries commit to international agreement to tackle illegal fishing

The Government of Mexico has ratified the Port State Measures Agreement, a critical tool in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Jamaica also announced that they will accede to the agreement in the coming months. These developments will mean every member of the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel) […]

Joint Leaders Statement on Sustainable Coastal and Marine Tourism: Supporting Climate, Biodiversity and Sustainable Ocean Economies

Coastal and marine tourism represents at least 50 percent of total global tourism.1 It constitutes the largest economic sector for most small island developing states and coastal states.    Coastal and marine tourism is highly dependent on the quality of ecosystems to attract visitors—and it is extremely vulnerable to threats such as climate change and biodiversity […]

New members strengthen Ocean Action 2030’s mission for a sustainable ocean economy

Panama City, Panama (1 March, 2023) The Ocean Action 2030 coalition has today been strengthened by two new participating members: the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) and Sustainable Development Reform Hub (SDR Hub) at the University of New South Wales. Both organisations will support countries in developing Sustainable Ocean Plans, the blueprint for ensuring […]

10 ocean activities to look out for at COP27

The ocean has an integral part to play in the world’s efforts to drive down emissions. Research finds that ocean-based climate actions can deliver up to 21% of the annual greenhouse gas emissions cuts needed to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C by 2050, helping to avoid some of the worst impacts of climate change. […]

United Kingdom Joins High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy

Lisbon, Portugal (JUNE 29, 2022) – Today, the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel) welcomes the addition of a new member, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The United Kingdom has announced its shared ambition to sustainably manage 100% of the ocean area under their national jurisdiction. The announcement […]

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