Experts call to anchor ocean sustainability efforts in science, ahead of UNOC-3

The Group of Friends on Science for Action, co-chaired by the Permanent Representatives of Belgium, India, and South Africa to the UN, and actively supported by the ISC and UNESCO as joint Secretariat, organized a briefing with experts from diverse ocean-related scientific fields to explore recent scientific developments and actionable knowledge in preparation for the upcoming UNOC-3.

UNOC-3: A critical moment for ocean action

UNOC-3, focused on advancing the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 on Life Below Water, comes at a critical point – just five years before the 2030 Agenda’s target deadline. Despite past commitments, SDG 14 is one of the most off-track goals across all global regions, underscoring the urgent need for UNOC-3 to drive not only stronger pledges but also concrete collective action.

A critical first step is strengthening the science-policy interface and ensuring that UNOC-3 deliberations and outcomes – particularly the Political Declaration – are firmly grounded in the latest and best available scientific knowledge while identifying collective, transformative pathways to tackle ocean sustainability challenges.

Integrating science into ocean deliberations and action

With a focus on diving into science-based messages for UNOC-3, this scientific briefing brought together a diverse panel of experts:

• Peter M. Haugan, Policy Director of the Institute of Marine Research in Norway and Co-chair of the ISC expert group on oceans for the UN Ocean Conference.;
• Vidar Helgesen, Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC/UNESCO) and Assistant Director-General of UNESCO;
• Emily Twigg, Executive Director of the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR)

The experts highlighted key ocean-related challenges, their root causes and impacts, links to broader global issues and how science-based solutions can generate co-benefits and advance integrated sustainable development. Additionally, the briefing focused on pathways for developing sustainable ocean-based economies, emphasizing how responsible management of marine resources – across sectors such as fisheries, tourism and renewable energy – can drive both economic growth and ocean conservation.

The ocean’s resilience is at risk

As highlighted by Emily Twigg, the ocean is a key pillar of sustainable development, providing immense value to humanity and playing a central role in planetary health. Yet, marine life faces myriad co-occurring and interconnected stressors.

The ocean has absorbed the majority of excess atmospheric heat and between one-quarter and one-third of the excess carbon dioxide. Additionally, most land- and ice-based freshwater eventually makes its way into the ocean. While this reflects the ocean’s impressive capacity to contribute to planetary resilience, amid changing conditions affecting all life on Earth, including humans, this capacity is reaching its limits.

Rising temperature, increased carbon emissions and accelerating ice melt are placing significant stress on ocean ecosystems. Addressing these challenges requires stronger international cooperation, data sharing, cutting-edge scientific research and science-based decision-making.

Building scientific capacity to close knowledge gaps and design solutions

Twigg stressed that gaps in ocean knowledge translate into gaps in our understanding of the planet as a whole. Science not only helps us understand these challenges but also provides practical solutions – from informing the development of early-warning systems to designing marine protected areas that support biodiversity and sustainable fisheries.

Building global scientific capacity – particularly in low- and middle-income countries – is key to ensuring inclusive decision-making at all levels, from local to global. By sharing knowledge and particularly standardized data, we can achieve a broader understanding of the ocean, benefitting everyone.

The global ocean requires collective action

With 40% of the ocean falling within exclusive economic zones, effective observation and management require strong international collaboration at both the scientific and policy levels.

Haugan’s contribution reinforced the imperative for strong global collaboration on the ocean: “There is only one global ocean. It unites us all.” As a shared global common, the ocean requires collective action and cooperation.

A thriving ocean for a thriving economy and climate stability

Moreover, Haugan stressed the ocean’s vital role in addressing global challenges highlighting that the blue economy sectors – including transport, renewable energy and fisheries together with sustainable ocean management – could “close one-third of the greenhouse gas emission gap in 2050 between projected emissions and emissions that would deliver less than 2 degrees warming”. However, he emphasized that realizing this potential requires a healthy ocean, making investment in conservation and ecosystem-based management more critical than ever.

While ocean restoration is essential, investing in ocean conservation is far more cost-effective than repairing damage. Effective decision-making on sustainable ocean use must integrate scientific, traditional and local knowledge to drive meaningful action on the ground.

The road to UNOC-3

This scientific briefing underscored a critical reality: the ocean has a fundamental role in environmental sustainability, economic development and social well-being. Unlocking its potential for climate regulation, human well-being, food security and planetary health, depends on restoring, conserving and maintaining a healthy and resilient ocean.

There is one global ocean, with processes in one region having far-reaching consequences that transcend national borders. International collaboration, informed by the latest scientific knowledge, can ensure effective solutions to the global challenges at hand. As Member States shape their next commitments for the ocean, leveraging scientific insights and translating them into concrete action will be key.

With the UNOC-3 approaching, the global scientific community must use this momentum to ensure that ocean sustainability efforts are grounded in the latest scientific evidence and solutions, contributing to the realization of the 2030 Agenda.

Photo by Snehal Krishna on Unsplash