The ocean is one of our most powerful allies in tackling climate change. It absorbs more than 90% of the excess heat caused by greenhouse gas emissions and locks away large amounts of carbon through natural processes. Yet, ocean-based climate solutions still receive far too little attention in global climate policies and funding.

The High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, a group of 18 world leaders, has published The Ocean as a Solution to Climate Change: Updated Opportunities for Action. This report highlights seven key areas where ocean-based solutions can make a significant difference, including offshore renewable energy and cleaner shipping, as well as the restoration of blue carbon ecosystems such as mangroves and seagrasses. It also explores the potential of sustainable seafood, seabed carbon storage, scaling down offshore oil and gas, and new marine carbon removal technologies. Together, these 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. That is equivalent to four times the 2021 emissions of the 27 EU member states.

At Paris Climate & Nature Week, this event – co-organized by the World Resources Institute and the Ocean & Climate Platform – will showcase key findings from the report and highlight practical progress across sectors, featuring insights from government, industry, and civil society. The event will open with a short ocean-climate film by WRI, followed by an overview and panel discussion with leading experts.

This event will also serve to look ahead, reflecting on how the ocean has been included in climate talks since COP21, and identifying the next steps for stronger governance, ambition and finance on the road to COP30. Building on this, the event will highlight the science, policy and financial pathways necessary to accelerate the ocean’s contribution to climate mitigation and adaptation at the pace and scale required by the climate emergency.

Moderator: Micheline Khan, Senior Associate, Ocean Climate, Ocean Program, World Resources Institute (WRI) 

Speakers: 

• Fanny Douvere, Lead Sustainable Ocean Planning & Management, The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC, UNESCO)
• Micheline Khan, Senior Associate, Ocean Climate, Ocean Program, World Resources Institute (WRI) 
• Shashwat Koirala, Economist, Sustainable Ocean Economy (Lead) & Climate Transitions, The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) 
• Loreley Picourt, Executive Director, Ocean & Climate Platform (OCP)
• Jessica Newfield, Senior program manager, Sustainable Ocean Alliance
• Katie Wood, 100% Alliance Outreach and Engagement Lead, Ocean Program, World Resources Institute (WRI)
• Stientje Van Veldhoven - Vice President, Director Europe, World Resources Institute (TBC)
• Catherine  Chabaud, Minister Delegate to the Minister for Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, and International Negotiations on Climate and Nature, in charge of the Sea and Fisheries (TBC)
• Danielle  McCaffrey,  Science&Vie (TBC)
• Marina Lev,  French Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) (TBC)

Registration is mandatory and subject to availability.

Not accessible for people with reduced mobility.