A Blueprint for a Climate-Smart Ocean to Meet 1.5°C

Our ocean holds several solutions to address the twin crises of biodiversity and climate change. To unlock this potential, a 'climate-smart' approach to the ocean is increasingly vital. This blueprint puts forward six key steps to unlock a climate-smart ocean to meet the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C temperature goal. Each step has clearly defined actions for both Parties to the COP and business leaders.

The blueprint is the outcome of the UN Global Compact 'Blue Road to COP 26.” Over 100 stakeholders from business, policy, NGOs, finance, science and UN partners were brought together during the Blue Road to define a pathway for advancing ocean-climate action in the run-up to the critical COP 26 and beyond. Explore the brief and the six identified steps to unlock a climate-smart ocean. In addition to this holistic overview, specific briefs have also been developed on key focus areas including Charting a 1.5°C Trajectory for Maritime Transport.

Sustainable Ocean Principles

A standard for healthy and productive ocean

As described in Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water, there is an urgent need to protect and restore the health of the ocean, which is rapidly deteriorating due to increasing temperatures, acidification, depletion of natural resources and pollution from land and sea. Businesses have a shared responsibility, alongside Government and civil society, to take necessary actions to secure a healthy ocean.

These Sustainable Ocean Principles, produced in consultation with over 300 stakeholders, provide a framework for responsible business practices across sectors and geographies. They build upon and supplement the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.