16 June 2025 – Last week saw record numbers of governments, scientists and experts gather in Nice, France, for the third UN Oceans Conference - the largest so far. CISL’s nature lead, Harry Greenfield, responds.
Oceans face multiple threats, with experts describing a "state of emergency" caused by the interlinked drivers of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Currently only 2.7% of oceans are protected from extractive activities. Meanwhile their importance is increasingly recognised, both in economic terms and for their role in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss.
This was also an important test of global multilateral action. Oceans are a prime candidate to benefit from global cooperation given their geography, interconnectedness and importance to many economies. A strong outcome would help lay the groundwork for future ocean-related wins at COP30 and beyond.
The Conference theme was “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean” and focused on three areas: defending ocean ecosystems, sustainable ocean economies and accelerating action. The resulting Nice Ocean Action Plan, published on Friday, brought together a range of commitments from governments, civil society and others, aiming to increase marine protection, reduce pollution, increase protection of the high seas and unlock financing.
As well as commitments from countries to increase or improve national Marine Protected Areas, progress was made on protecting the "high seas" areas, which lie outside of national jurisdiction and make up two thirds of global oceans. Meeting the Global Biodiversity Framework target to protect 30% of oceans by 2030 cannot be done without including the high seas. Last week saw additional commitments from countries to ratify the High Seas Treaty introduced in 2023, giving hope that we can meet this goal.
Finance was another important area under discussion, particularly important as Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water) is one of the least funded SDGs and delivering better outcomes for oceans will require significant investment.
Increasingly, the business case for ocean conservation is being recognised. With more than 3 billion people depending on oceans for food and livelihoods, and the ocean economy is worth $2.5 trillion to global GDP. This figure could grow higher if some of the untapped potential for regenerative blue economy is unleashed - and the role for innovation in generating sustainable food, reducing ocean pollution or providing more accurate data to better understand our oceans. But failure to act risks devastating consequences for people, climate and nature.
Corporate nature frameworks already have oceans in their sights, with specific business guidance for assessing marine risks and dependencies and setting targets. It is important that businesses continue to understand their dependencies and impacts on oceans and use this insight to drive action to protect and restore marine ecosystems.
Coming on the back of the recent Sir David Attenborough film Ocean and increasing engagement on the topic from people and businesses, the outcome of the UNOC should set the tone for future efforts on oceans and sending signals to those who need to step up to deliver.