Featured: Read the new Blue Paper: ‘The Future of the Workforce in a Sustainable Ocean Economy ‘ Arrow Featured: Ocean Panel announces the ‘100% Alliance’, a new campaign that calls on all ocean and coastal states to commit to 100% sustainable ocean management. Arrow Featured: The Ocean Panel publishes its second progress report. Arrow Featured: The Republic of Chile Receives Peter Benchley Ocean Award for Excellence in National Leadership Arrow

Climate

The ocean is a solution to climate change.

For decades, the ocean has buffered the planet from the negative effects of excess greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and this has taken a toll on the ocean’s health.

It was once thought the ocean was too big to fail—but, in reality, it is too big to ignore. We now know that not only do human actions impact the ocean, but that they can also play a much bigger role in combatting climate change.

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Ocean health and the livelihoods and economies that depend on it require the world to urgently reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The only way we can achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement is through greater climate action by all countries. Ocean-based climate solutions can deliver up to 35% of the annual greenhouse gas emission cuts needed in 2050 to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C.

These solutions include:

  • Scaling ocean-based renewable energy
  • Decarbonising ocean-based transport
  • Conserving and restoring coastal and marine ecosystems
  • Utilising low carbon food from the ocean
  • Developing marine carbon dioxide removal and carbon capture and storage under the seabed
  • Decarbonising ocean-based tourism
  • Reducing offshore oil and gas

In 2019, Ocean Panel launched a ‘Call to Ocean-Based Climate Action’ at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York to outline a pathway towards greater action on ocean-based climate solutions.

While significant global progress has been made, the latest IPCC reports emphasise the gap that remains between ambition and action.

The Ocean Panel remains committed to ocean-based climate action and urges all actors to join them in advancing ambitious ocean-based solutions to support global efforts to urgently reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Ocean Panel leaders discuss the value of ocean-climate solutions in tackling climate change.

Featured Resources

Full Report
Summary
Accelerating Ocean Climate Action Booklet
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Call to Action
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Recent News

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06/09/2025

Ocean Panel Opens UN Ocean Conference with Event Aboard Statsraad Lehmkuhl Tall Ship

Members of the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Conference (Ocean Panel) began the third UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France with a reception event a board the Norwegian tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl.   …
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06/05/2025

New Blue Paper Outlines Principles for Responsible Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Development and Governance

As the global community seeks effective strategies to meet the Paris Agreement targets, a new blue paper commissioned by Ocean Panel explores the emerging potential of marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) approaches and outlines key…
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05/21/2025

The Republic of Chile Receives Peter Benchley Ocean Award for Excellence in National Leadership

Chile has been awarded the Peter Benchley Ocean Award for Excellence in National Leadership in recognition of its commitment to sustainable ocean governance through its National Ocean Program (NOP). The award celebrates Chile’s commitment to…
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05/08/2025

New Blue Paper Highlights 51 Million Additional Ocean Jobs by 2050 in a Sustainable Ocean Economy

Titled “The Future of the Workforce in a Sustainable Ocean Economy,” the paper examines the evolving landscape of ocean-based employment across multiple sectors and provides guidance for how stakeholders can build a workforce that is…
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04/16/2025

Kenya to Host 11th Our Ocean Conference in 2026

Launched in 2014 by the U.S. Department of State and former Secretary of State John Kerry, the Our Ocean Conference is a major international platform that unites governments, businesses, NGOs, and academic institutions to drive…
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03/20/2025

Norway PM Jonas Gahr Støre Showcases Progress on Sustainable Ocean Plan

The video featuring Norway Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre highlights the country’s integrated, science-based approach to ocean management and its efforts to balance economic development with environmental stewardship and social inclusion. As a member and…
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12/13/2024

Ocean Panel Sherpas Chart Sustainable Path Forward at Landmark Namibia Meeting

Hosted by Namibia’s Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Hon. Derek Klazen, the gathering brought together Sherpas representing 19 member nations—countries that collectively oversee 45% of the world’s Exclusive Economic Zones.  Key outcomes included preparations…
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11/12/2024

Events to watch out for at COP29

Countries, NGOs and representatives from the private sector will come together in Baku for UNFCCC COP29 under the presidency of Azerbaijan, marking a critical milestone in the year for climate negotiations and campaigns. Finance will…
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09/25/2024

Ocean Panel 2024 Annual Leaders’ Communiqué

We, the members of the Ocean Panel, are working collectively to protect the ocean’s health, unlock economic opportunities and empower communities. The health of the ocean is in a state of emergency and urgent action…
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09/25/2024

Leaders Call for All Ocean States to Join Alliance For 100% Sustainable Ocean Management; Welcomes UAE as Newest Member

NEW YORK (September 25, 2024) - Today, at the United Nations (UN) in New York City, world leaders and representatives from the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel) officially launched the…
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Publications

Ocean Finance for the Sustainable Ocean Economy

Launched 6 June 2025, the working paper 'Ocean Finance for the Sustainable Ocean Economy' presents...

Principles for responsible and effective marine carbon dioxide removal development and governance

Launched on June 4, 2025, at the One Ocean Science Congress in Nice, France, ahead...

The Future of the Workforce in a Sustainable Ocean Economy 

This Blue Paper was commissioned by the Ocean Panel to provide a glimpse of what...

Co-producing Sustainable Ocean Plans with Indigenous and traditional knowledge holders

Launched at COP16 In Cali, Colombia in 2024, this Blue Paper, 'Co-producing Sustainable Ocean Plans...

How can a healthy ocean improve human health and enhance wellbeing on a rapidly changing planet?

However far we live from it, a healthy ocean is imperative to human health, from...

Tracking Blue: From Ambition to Action for a Sustainable Ocean Economy

The First Progress Report from The High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy In...
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