Global Instability Highlights Need for Bold European Leadership on Ocean Protection
As multilateralism faces severe challenges, Europe must take up a global leadership role in tackling the triple planetary crisis, including protection of marine ecosystems.
PRESS RELEASE – 26 February 2025
Global Instability Highlights Need for Bold European Leadership on Ocean Protection
- As multilateral cooperation faces existential threats, Europe must step up to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.
- OceanCare calls for European leadership to deliver concrete commitments on ending offshore oil and gas exploration, protecting marine species, and accelerating the energy transition.
- Draft declaration for major UN conference on ocean governance lacks ambition needed to protect marine ecosystems at a critical moment, when the new US administration and other governments signal massive expansion of offshore drilling.
The multilateral system that has underpinned global environmental cooperation for decades faces an unprecedented challenge as geopolitical tensions threaten the spirit of collaboration and rules-based international order. Europe must now demonstrate it can not only secure its strategic autonomy but also lead a global, science-based response to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity degradation. The EU’s Ocean Pact, which is currently being negotiated, will provide testimony on whether European policy makers understand what is at stake as governments prepare for the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice this June.
Fabienne McLellan , Managing Director of OceanCare, pointed out:
“We now must take an unwavering stance to uphold multilateralism that has enabled global environmental protection. At this dangerous inflection point, when the US is retreating from climate action and an increasing number of governments worldwide are turning toward nationalistic agendas, Europe must take a leading role. The triple planetary crisis demands concrete and swift action to protect the Ocean. The time window for meeting the Paris Agreement's 1.5 °C target is closing rapidly, and the world also faces the risk of failure with the Sustainable Development Goals. We cannot allow the unravelling of international cooperation to accelerate the destruction of marine ecosystems.”
A preliminary “Zero Draft” for the final declaration of the upcoming Third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice fails to address pressing threats to marine ecosystems. That concerns especially ongoing oil and gas exploration that damages marine life through seismic airgun blasting while accelerating climate change. This stands in stark contrast to the growing European momentum for ending new offshore fossil fuel development, with countries like Denmark (including Greenland), France, Portugal, and Spain already taking decisive action. The situation becomes increasingly urgent as the new US administration signals plans for massive expansion of offshore drilling, moving backwards at the very moment when ending the fossil fuel era is most critical.
Nicolas Entrup , Director of International Relations at OceanCare, added:
“The UN Ocean Conference must come up with an action plan, not diplomatic platitudes. This is a crucial opportunity for Europe to demonstrate it can unite global action for protecting the Ocean, our strongest ally against climate change. We need binding commitments in the final declaration, building on the strong foundation provided by the European Green Deal and existing EU environmental legislation. The declaration must establish clear timelines to end new offshore fossil fuel exploration, reduce the impact of global shipping, protect marine species and ecosystems from underwater noise and plastic pollution, and prevent the start of deep-sea mining. The current draft falls far short of these urgent necessities.”
The UN Ocean Conference, taking place June 9-13 this year in Nice, France, will bring together high-level representatives of all UN Member State governments with civil society to agree on concrete measures for ocean protection and conservation to achieve SDG14. The Ministerial Declaration as outcome document currently under negotiation will set the framework for global ocean governance and conservation efforts in the coming years.
OceanCare’s Because Our Planet Is Blue initiative outlines six urgent actions needed to protect ocean health, including banning new offshore fossil fuel exploration, implementing mandatory speed limits for ships to protect marine life, and establishing a moratorium on deep-sea mining. The organisation is calling on the EU to champion these measures at UNOC3. As governments finalise the declaration text in coming months, OceanCare urges strengthening key provisions to ensure meaningful action on ocean protection.
ENDS
Media contact
- Dániel Fehér, OceanCare Head of Press: +49 176 81434026; dfeher@oceancare.org
Notes to editors
About the UN Ocean Conference 2025
The Third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) will be held in Nice, France, from June 9-13, 2025. The conference focuses on accelerating the implementation of SDG14 (Life Below Water) and comes at a crucial time when the world is failing to meet ocean-related sustainability targets. The conference will bring together heads of states, ministers, government officials, civil society representatives, and other stakeholders to agree on concrete measures for ocean protection and conservation. The outcome document currently under negotiation will set the framework for global ocean governance and conservation efforts in the coming years.
Six Steps to Turn the Tide – The Action Points of the “Because Our Planet Is Blue” Declaration
OceanCare’s declaration Because Our Planet Is Blue calls for immediate action on six critical areas that must be implemented at global, regional and national levels:
- Ban offshore oil and gas exploration: Phase out fossil fuel exploration and exploitation in all marine zones, aligned with COP28’s call for energy transition. This includes developing regional carbon budgets to meet Paris Agreement targets and implementing underwater noise thresholds to protect marine wildlife.
- Make maritime transport sustainable: Implement mandatory measures through the International Maritime Organization to reduce vessel speeds and underwater noise from shipping. This includes specific speed limits and routing measures in high-risk areas for marine megafauna, such as the Northwest Mediterranean and Hellenic Trench.
- End destructive fisheries: Ban bottom trawling and dredging, particularly in vulnerable habitats and areas where these methods harm threatened species. Promote sustainable fishing gear, eliminate harmful subsidies, and enforce comprehensive monitoring systems including mandatory vessel tracking and electronic catch monitoring.
- Address plastic pollution comprehensively: Adopt legally binding measures to reduce plastic production and tackle pollution throughout the full lifecycle of plastics. This includes protecting human health from hazardous chemicals, prioritizing reusable systems, and developing a comprehensive strategy on abandoned fishing gear.
- Establish deep-sea mining moratorium: Prevent deep-sea mining activities until scientific understanding of these ecosystems improves and environmental protections can be ensured. Promote alternatives such as recycling key minerals and developing technologies that require fewer critical resources.
- Support ocean recovery: Implement the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement) by UNOC3, protect at least 30% of coastal and marine areas by 2030, and ensure effective management frameworks including monitoring, compliance and enforcement measures.
About the EU Ocean Pact
The EU Ocean Pact is a collaborative initiative aimed at strengthening ocean conservation and sustainable marine governance across Europe. It brings together policymakers, businesses, scientists, and civil society to promote responsible ocean stewardship, enhance biodiversity protection, and support blue economy innovations. The Pact aligns with the European Green Deal and global commitments such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. OceanCare has contributed to the European Commission’s Call for Evidence on the initiative, providing expertise on marine protection and sustainable ocean management.
Publications
- OceanCare declaration: Because Our Planet Is Blue
- OceanCare: Contribution to the European Commission’s Call for Evidence for the EU Ocean Pact
Image material
About OceanCare
OceanCare is an international marine conservation non-governmental organisation, founded in Switzerland in 1989. The organisation pursues the protection and restoration of the marine environment and marine wildlife with a strong policy focus, combining research, conservation projects and education. OceanCare’s remit includes marine pollution, climate change, marine mammal hunting and the environmental consequences of fisheries. Its work is supported by a team of scientific, legal and policy experts, and involves strategic collaboration with civil society organisations and coalitions around the world. OceanCare is an officially accredited partner and observer to several UN conventions and other international fora. www.oceancare.org --
OceanCare Dániel Fehér, Head of Press Gerbestrasse 6 CH-8820 Waedenswil - Switzerland +49 176 81434026 dfeher@oceancare.org www.oceancare.org