Ocean Action 2030
Supporting countries with Sustainable Ocean Plans
Ocean Action 2030 is a voluntary coalition dedicated to supporting countries in their aim of building a sustainable ocean economy through the development and implementation of Sustainable Ocean Plans. Members of Ocean Action 2030 are leading institutions that can provide the technical and financial assistance that countries may need to develop and implement their Sustainable Ocean Plans, where there is a match between country demand and member capacity.
Ocean Action 2030 was formed in response to the new ocean action agenda launched by the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel) in 2020 in which member countries announced a shared vision for the sustainable development of the ocean in the next decade – where effective protection, sustainable production and equitable prosperity go hand in hand.
The ‘headline’ of this action agenda was an ambitious commitment by Ocean Panel countries to sustainably manage 100% of the ocean areas under their national jurisdictions, guided by Sustainable Ocean Plans, by 2025.*
*Countries joining the Ocean Panel effort after 2020 may commit to develop and be guided by Sustainable Ocean Plans within 5 years of joining, with the aim of sustainably managing 100% of the ocean area under national jurisdiction.
By 2030, all coastal and ocean states will sustainably manage the ocean area under their national jurisdiction, guided by Sustainable Ocean Plans.
This call to action is a central part of the Ocean Panel’s ambitious ocean action agenda, as outlined in the ‘Transformations for a Sustainable Ocean Economy‘.
Three barriers stand in the way of greater adoption of Sustainable Ocean Plans.
A conscious political decision and drive is needed in coastal and ocean states to apply the concept of planning to the ocean that has existed on land for generations. A compelling “political and business case” is needed to encourage the development of Sustainable Ocean Plans.
Preparing Sustainable Ocean Plans requires skills, data (e.g., economic, social, environmental), and true participation processes that many countries may not yet have readily available.
Preparing Sustainable Ocean Plans takes financial resources that many countries may not yet have readily available.
Ocean Action 2030 addresses these challenges by providing technical and financial assistance to countries developing Sustainable Ocean Plans.
The coalition does this in 4 ways:
Persuasively communicate the economic, social and environmental benefits of Sustainable Ocean Plans.
Provide guidance to governments on Sustainable Ocean Plan development, offer hands-on technical assistance (both content and process) and build local capacity.
Provide financing needed to support plan development.
Share best practices in plan development, implementation and continuous improvement.
* Commensurate with Ocean Action 2030-member capacity
Others interested in joining Ocean Action 2030 are welcome.
Please contact the Ocean Panel Secretariat: info@oceanpanel.org to find out more about Ocean Action 2030 and how to get engaged.
A Sustainable Ocean Plan aims to guide public and private sector decision-makers on how to sustainably manage a nation’s ocean area under national jurisdiction to advance long-term economic and social development—by protecting the natural marine ecosystems that underpin that development.
Members of Ocean Action 2030 contributed to the guide ‘100% Sustainable Ocean Management: An Introduction to Sustainable Ocean Plans’. This Ocean Panel-commissioned guide elaborates on the ‘who, what, when, where, why and how’ of Sustainable Ocean Plans. It also suggests initial steps that ocean and coastal states can take to get started on, or to accelerate sustainable ocean planning.
Ocean Action 2030 is dedicated to supporting countries to move forward with the development and implementation of Sustainable Ocean Plans, aligned with the contents of the guide.
The Ocean Panel commissioned guide ‘100% Sustainable Ocean Management: An Introduction to Sustainable Ocean Plans’ and Ocean Action 2030 launched on 7 December 2021.
Nine Attributes of a Sustainable Ocean Plan
This Ocean Panel-commissioned guide identifies nine attributes of a Sustainable Ocean Plan – relevant in all contexts – that can help set up plans for maximum success and impact.
Developed in an inclusive way so that all relevant interests are heard and addressed from the outset
Integrative, coordinating between government agencies, ocean sectors and processes
Iterative, in that it works for today whilst anticipating the changes of tomorrow
Place-based, encompassing all marine and coastal areas within national waters
Ecosystem-based, recognising the interactions within ecosystems and with people
Knowledge-based, underpinned by the best available science and knowledge, including local and indigenous knowledge
Politically endorsed by the national government at the highest levels
Sufficiently financed over the long-term
Sufficiently capacitated to ensure implementation
