Ocean Action Areas:
Leading by Example Stories

The ‘Because the Ocean’ initiative was launched in Paris during COP21, now signed by 41 countries, 11 of which are Ocean Panel members.

Fiji hosted the first ‘Blue COP’ at COP23 in 2017, launching the Ocean Pathway Partnership to achieve an oceaninclusive UNFCCC process. This evolved to become an influential group called Friends of the Ocean and Climate.

At COP24 in 2018, The Talanoa Dialogue, sparked by the 2017 Fijian presidency, informed the 2020 NDCs and served as the first global assessment taking stock of current collective action on national climate pledges. The Fijian term talanoa means to hold a conversation in an inclusive and receptive space, sending an important political signal.

Chile hosted COP25 in 2019, also known as the Blue COP, which led to the first bespoke Ocean Climate Dialogue under the UNFCCC and boasted over 100 events discussing the ocean and climate change, showcasing great leadership.

Chile put its mark on COP25, establishing the ocean as a priority of the presidency. Formal and informal spaces were established for a technical discussion that allowed Parties to agree that the ocean should be considered in the COP25 outcomes (1/CP.25). It was the first time that the COP decided to include the ocean in an official event as a single topic.

At COP26, hosted by the UK, the Glasgow Climate Pact secured annual reoccurring Ocean and Climate Change Dialogues under the UNFCCC, and commitments to integrate and strengthen ocean-based action across the UNFCCC.

The Ocean Panel issued a ‘Call to Ocean-Based Climate Action’, urging all actors to join in the transition to a sustainable ocean economy and ensure that the ocean plays a vital role in tackling climate change. Additionally the UK launched the Clydebank Declaration, bringing together 24 signatories to agree to establish green corridors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shipping.

At COP27, two members of the Ocean Panel, Norway and the United States, launched a new initiative, the Green Shipping Challenge, to cut greenhouse gas emissions from shipping, and challenged other countries, ports and companies to join them.

In 2023, Kenya co-hosted the Africa Climate Summit and Africa Climate Week, which brought together governments, businesses, international organisations and civil society to make ambitious climate pledges. As their countries face disproportionate burdens and risks from climate change, African leaders proposed a new financing mechanism to restructure the continent’s debt and unlock climate funding.

The United States launched its ocean climate action plan in 2023, which is a core tenet of its Sustainable Ocean Plan, featuring ongoing and planned federal ocean-based climate mitigation and adaptation activities.

At COP28, the Ocean Panel and the Secretariat of the Organization of American States signed onto a joint declaration that recognises the dual needs of sustainably managing 100 percent of the ocean area under national jurisdiction and urging other countries around the world to join in committing to safeguard the long-term health and resilience of the ocean.

Chile and Canada are co-facilitating the United Nations Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue for the 2023–24 biennium and will present the highlights from this year’s dialogue at COP29.

Australia is focusing on the restoration and resilience of the Great Barrier Reef, involving tourism operators in educational and conservation efforts, thereby reducing the risk of ship collisions and protecting whale migration routes.

Canada committed $20 million CAD (US$15 million) for an Indigenous Tourism Fund and $4.8 million CAD (US$3.5 million) to support the Indigenous Tourism Association, aiding post-pandemic recovery and long-term growth.

France’s Reinventing Heritage programme aims to support tourism and cultural activities that safeguard heritage while attracting both local populations and visitors.

In Indonesia, Bunaken National Park’s collaborative management ensures that tourism benefits the local community, supported by the North Sulawesi Watersports Association and the Bunaken Local Community Forum which employ locals as dive guides, captains, and staff.

Jamaica’s Blue Ocean Strategy supports sustainable tourism recovery post-COVID-19, enhancing tourism zones to preserve and enhance each destination’s unique elements and characteristics.

The Japan Sustainable Tourism Standard for Destinations (JSTS-D), launched in June 2020, supports sustainability in socioeconomics, culture, and environment. Recognized globally, JSTS-D aided five destinations in 2020 and 15 in 2021.

Namibia, the first African country to enshrine environmental management in its constitution, is shifting its tourism industry towards comprehensive sustainability.

Portugal’s Tourism Strategy 2027 promotes environmental, social, and economic development by valuing cultural resources, boosting the economy, fostering innovation, enhancing knowledge, and improving connectivity.

Palau is the first country in the world to change its immigration law to ensure environmental protection whereby upon entry, visitors must sign a passport pledge that they will act in a culturally and environmentally responsible way for the duration of their trip

In 2023, Seychelles introduced an environmental sustainability levy for travellers to promote responsible travel and safeguard natural beauty, contributing to global conservation efforts.