University expert influences global scientific community’s 10 recommendations for UN Ocean conference

Professor Deborah Greaves is the UK member of the International Scientific Committee of the One Ocean Science Congress
Deborah Greaves Invenite
Ahead of the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC-3), a group of international scientists – including Professor Deborah Greaves OBE FREng from the University of Plymouth – have called on United Nations Member States to take urgent and decisive action for the ocean that is guided by science.
Ten recommendations have been developed by an International Scientific Committee over the course of a year, and finalised at the One Ocean Science Congress in Nice, and will be delivered to Heads of State and Government on World Ocean Day (Monday 8 June).
Each recommendation features tangible measures which respond directly to the urgent climate and biodiversity crises and maximise the ocean’s potential to provide climate solutions.
The hope is that they will help shape discussions at UNOC-3 and bring actions that go some way towards protecting the ocean for future generations, with the added hope of ensuring science remains at the heart of efforts to secure a sustainable future for the ocean and humanity.
Professor Greaves, Director of the University’s Centre for Decarbonisation and Offshore Renewable Energy and leader of the Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy Hub , is the UK member of the International Scientific Committee.

The sentiment behind these recommendations is clear – we only have one ocean, and all have a part to play preserving it for future generations.

We know our ocean can play a critical role in regulating global temperature and absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. But we are putting it under pressure from factors including climate change, pollution, habitat and biodiversity loss, and overexploitation, and if we don’t stop doing so the potential consequences are severe. Moving away from fossil fuels is the best way to combat climate change and the ocean can help us achieve that through the development of offshore renewable energy to decarbonise our power systems. However, any projects need to co-exist responsibly alongside the marine ecosystem, maritime cultural heritage and existing human activities such as shipping and fishing. Striking this kind of balance runs through all our recommendations, and – if the UN Member States act on them – it will help us find ways to use the ocean to instigate climate action at the same time as fostering greater ocean health.

Deborah Greaves OBE FREngProfessor Deborah Greaves OBE FREng
Professor in Ocean Engineering

Professor Deborah Greaves (third from left) with colleagues at the One Ocean Science Congress in Nice
Professor Deborah Greaves (third from left) with colleagues at the One Ocean Science Congress in Nice
The 10 recommendations made by the One Ocean Science Congress, and being taken to Member States and UNOC-3, are as follows:
  • Inspire Ocean stewardship through integrated knowledge
  • Promote safe and equitable Ocean-based climate solutions
  • Protect and restore marine and coastal ecosystems
  • Pause harmful seabed uses and expand deep-sea knowledge for sustainability
  • Equitably share marine genetic resource benefits
  • End illicit, unreported and unregulated fishing, and boost transparency
  • Build sustainable, equitable and safe Ocean-based food systems
  • End marine plastic pollution
  • Reduce CO2 emissions and impacts of shipping
  • Invest in transdisciplinary knowledge for Ocean action
More details about them, and the One Ocean Science Congress, can be found at https://one-ocean-science-2025.org/.
 

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