The Blue Papers explore pressing challenges at the nexus of the ocean and the economy, providing thematic deep dives on a range of topics and offering a robust, knowledge base to inform a new ocean report and the Ocean Panel’s action agenda.
In the spirit of achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), providing value to the UN Decade of Ocean Science and meeting the objectives of the Paris Agreement, the Ocean Panel commissioned a comprehensive assessment of ocean science and knowledge that has significant policy relevance, including a series of 16 Blue Papers and various Special Reports that will ultimately inform the Ocean Panel’s action agenda. The Blue Papers and Special Reports are central inputs in shaping the new ocean narrative and identifying opportunities for action. Ultimately, they are an independent input to the Ocean Panel process and do not represent the thinking of the Ocean Panel, Sherpas or Secretariat.
The Ocean Panel identified 16 specific topics for which it sought a synthesis of knowledge and opportunities for action. In response, the Expert Group convened 16 teams of global experts—over 200 authors from nearly 50 countries—who have been engaged to review and analyse the latest knowledge and provide new thinking and perspectives on how technology, policy, governance and finance can be applied to catalyse a more sustainable and prosperous relationship with the ocean. The series of Blue Papers explores pressing challenges at the nexus of the ocean and the economy, providing thematic deep dives on a range of topics and offering a robust, knowledge base to inform a new ocean report and the Ocean Panel’s action agenda. These Blue Papers and Special Reports will provide the information needed to transition to a sustainable ocean economy.
The Expert Group is tasked with ensuring the high quality and integrity of the Ocean Panel’s work. All Blue Papers are subject to a rigorous and independent peer review process and the arguments, findings and opportunities for action represent the views of the authors. The launches of these papers, which will take place between November 2019 to October 2020, will create opportunities for exchange and dialogue between political leaders, policymakers, the financial community, business leaders, the scientific community and civil society.
Learn how the UN Ocean Decade and the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Community relate here.
Published Blue Papers
- The Future of Food from the Sea
- The Expected Impacts of Climate Change on the Ocean Economy
- Technology, Data and New Models for Sustainably Managing Ocean Resources
- Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing and Associated Drivers
- Towards Ocean Equity
- The Ocean Genome: Conservation and the Fair, Equitable and Sustainable Use of Marine Genetic Resources
- Critical Habitats and Biodiversity: Inventory, Thresholds and Governance
- Integrated Ocean Management
- Leveraging Multi-Target Strategies to Address Plastic Pollution in the Context of an Already Stressed Ocean
- The Ocean Transition: What to Learn from System Transitions
- What Role for Ocean-Based Renewable Energy and Deep-Seabed Minerals in a Sustainable Future?
Upcoming Blue Papers
