by Joana Martins, Project Manager for International Ocean Advocacy at the Oceano Azul Foundation.

The 2025 Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue

The 2025 Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue, convened under the 62nd Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) brought together governments, scientists, and civil society to explore how ocean-based solutions can be better integrated into global climate efforts.

Initiated in 2020 and mandated by COP 25, this annual dialogue provides a platform to discuss how ocean-based measures can support global climate goals, in particular the implementation of the Paris Agreement. This year’s session, facilitated by Brazil and Belgium, underscored growing awareness of the ocean’s importance within the broader climate conversation, especially as 2025 is a pivotal year marked by the revision of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

A Year of Special Importance

2025 is critical because countries are updating their NDCs—national plans outlining climate actions they’re committed to undertake in their efforts to meet the targets set out by the Paris Agreement. Historically, the ocean has been underrepresented within climate negotiations, despite its essential role in regulating Earth’s climate. The ocean absorbs over 90% of excess heat from greenhouse gases, supports biodiversity, and provides resources vital for human livelihoods. Incorporating ocean indicators into NDCs is thus crucial, as climate actions cannot succeed without a healthy ocean. The dialogue highlighted the urgency of including concrete ocean-based measures—such as sustainable fisheries, marine renewable energy, and nature-based solutions like marine protected areas —within national climate strategies.

Left of the Technicalities, Focus on Practicalities

This year’s format of the dialogue was notably different. Traditionally held in the second week of SBSTA, it was moved to the first week, signalling an increasing awareness on the importance of ocean issues within UNFCCC work. The sessions were compressed into two half-days, with content overview on the first day and breakout group discussions on the second. While this allowed for a sharper focus on key topics, it saw some decline in participation from country delegations in the second day breakout group discussions – although civil society and the scientific community remained active and engaged.

Key Topics and Discussions

The dialogue centered around three main themes:

• Ocean-based measures in NDCs: Experts discussed how countries should strive to more effectively integrate ocean actions—like sustainable fisheries, marine energy, and marine protected areas—into their climate plans. Obstacles such as limited access to blue finance, lack of institutional coordination, and low awareness were identified—underscoring the need for increased support and capacity building, especially for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and developing countries.
• The ocean under the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA): Discussions underscored the importance of ocean observations and indicators to track climate impacts and resilience efforts. The launch of new ocean indicators, such as the Starfish barometer, and the role of data from initiatives like GOOS (Global Ocean Observing System) demonstrate how science underpins effective action. Emphasis was placed on improving data-sharing, integrating traditional knowledge, and supporting vulnerable communities facing ocean-related climate impacts like coral reef degradation.
• Ocean-biodiversity synergies and the BBNJ Agreement: The dialogue also explored how marine biodiversity efforts, like establishing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Area-Based Management Tools (ABMTs), can amplify climate resilience. There was consensus on supporting early ratification of the new BBNJ (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction) treaty, which aims to conserve important ecosystems and foster sustainable use of marine resources.

Novel and Noteworthy Aspects of 2025

• Rotating Co-Facilitators: This year’s facilitators—Brazil and Belgium—brought fresh perspectives. Brazil’s leadership emphasizes the local and regional importance of ocean issues, especially for vulnerable Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
• Timing and Format Changes: Moving the dialogue to the first week and shortening its duration highlights a potential rising priority of ocean issues within the climate agenda.
• Focus on Implementation and Finance: The dialogue stressed the importance of mobilizing financial support via dedicated blue finance mechanisms, and integrating ocean solutions into NDCs effectively, especially for developing nations needing capacity-building support.

Key Takeaways from the 2025 Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue

• Inclusion of Ocean Measures in NDCs is Essential: Countries are urged to embed concrete ocean-based actions to enhance climate ambition and resilience.
• Better Data and Indicators Drive Action: Developing and sharing transparent ocean indicators are vital for tracking progress and guiding effective policies.
• Financial and Capacity Support Remain Critical: Unlocking dedicated blue finance channels and strengthening support for developing countries are necessary to turn commitments into concrete actions.

Looking Ahead

Recognizing the ocean’s integral role in climate regulation and biodiversity conservation remains essential for meeting global climate goals. By actively integrating ocean-based measures, improving data collection, and mobilizing financial support, the international community can strengthen efforts to protect our ocean while advancing climate resilience and sustainable development. The 2025 Dialogue underscores the pressing need to elevate ocean issues within the UNFCCC, showing that ocean-based actions must be at the heart of climate policies moving forward. Importantly, 2025 marks a milestone year for ocean and climate action—not only due to the revision of Nationally Determined Contributions, but also because of the broader momentum generated by the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice. The Dialogue’s timing, immediately following UNOC3, provided an opportunity to carry forward that energy and set the stage for even greater alignment and ambition in the lead-up to COP30 in Belém.

Building on this momentum, the lead-up to COP30 in Brazil is expected to include an informal summary and recommendations are expected to emphasize concrete steps to mainstream ocean actions within the climate agenda, ideally by providing a roadmap for ocean-based indicators and solutions to become standard components of national and global targets.

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This is a guest blog and may not necessarily represent the views of other RISE UP network members or RISE UP as a whole. It is only through open dialogue and a diversity of ideas that we will arrive at the solutions necessary to restore Ocean health.