United Nations Ocean Conference

The third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) was a key moment for world leaders to deliver on their commitment to protect and conserve at least 30% of the world’s ocean by 2030 (30×30). The overarching theme of the conference was “accelerating action and mobilising all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean”. The conference worked towards a  “Nice Ocean Action Plan”, which included a declaration and new voluntary commitments.

OCEAN PROTECTION GAP REPORT

Launched ahead of UNOC by a consortium of nature NGOs and funders, The Ocean Protection Gap: Assessing Progress toward the 30×30 Target, reveals that just $1.2 billion a year currently flows to ocean protection efforts – a fraction of the $15.8 billion needed annually to deliver the world’s most ambitious conservation target: protecting and conserving at least 30% of the ocean by 2030.

The flagship report – authored by Systemiq and produced in partnership with the Bloomberg Ocean Fund, Campaign for Nature, Marine Conservation Institute, RISE UP, SkyTruth and WWF International in association with the Together for the Ocean campaign – introduces a new framework to assess the global shortfall in ocean protection, breaking it into three component gaps: finance, ambition and implementation. 

LIME: RIDE GREEN FOR THE BLUE

To keep the momentum alive outside of the conference, Together for the Ocean partnered with Lime to take the movement to the streets. As delegates dashed between events and locals cruised through their daily lives, every ride on a Lime back acted as a reminder of the urgent race for ocean protection – and an opportunity to hold governments accountable to their 30×30 promise.

Access Lime photography and assets here, including the art installation Bike from ocean artist Francesca Page.

Read press release

ADD YOUR VOICE, FOR THE OCEAN

CALL ON YOUR GOVERNMENT TO BAN BOTTOM TRAWLING IN EU AND UK MARINE PROTECTED AREAS

Bottom trawling is damaging marine protected areas across EU and UK seas, contradicting their designation, threatening marine wildlife, deepening the climate crisis and impacting food security and economic resilience for billions of people – especially Indigenous Peoples and coastal communities. 

By raising our voices together at UNOC and beyond, we can demonstrate public demand for immediate action to protect the ocean. Email decision makers in the EU, UK, France and Spain below.

Take action now

RIDES DURING UNOC

Everyone in Nice, visitors and residents alike, were called to ride green for the blue – choosing sustainable transport and supporting the demand for a healthy, protected ocean.

TOGETHER FOR THE OCEAN AT UNOC

Together for the Ocean organizations were out in force at UNOC calling for ambitious action and commitments towards achieving the global 30×30 goal. See below an overview of some of the side event sessions and receptions that took place in Nice.