Why ocean health is crucial for business: the case for corporate ocean action

A healthy ocean is essential for resilient economies. As threats to marine ecosystems grow, so do risks to business. UNOC 2025 is a key moment for companies to lead on ocean action and help secure a sustainable, thriving future.

Acknowledgement: This article is a collaboration between Business for Nature, our coalition members and their partners, including: Association française des Entreprises Pour l’Environnement (EpE), UN Global Compact, International Chamber of Commerce, World Economic Forum, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), We Mean Business Coalition, The Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGC), AFEP, Mouvement des Entreprises de France (MEDEF), European Federation of Ethical and Alternative Banks and Financiers (FEBEA), Science Based Targets Network (SBTN), CDP, UN Oceans Council, UN Global Compact Network France

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The business case for a healthy ocean

A thriving ocean underpins resilient and successful economies. Each year, ocean-related sectors, from shipping and seafood to pharmaceuticals, to tourism and renewable energy, contribute trillions of dollars to the global economy. These sectors, however, are feeling the strain of escalating marine pollution, overfishing, habitat loss and the impacts of climate change. The good news: all businesses can be a powerful force for ocean recovery.

A growing number of companies are stepping up, recognizing that as nature loss intensifies, so do the risks to supply chains, workforce stability, regulatory environments and investor confidence. More and more, they understand that long-term business success depends on protecting, restoring and safeguarding the ocean ecosystems they rely on.

A global stage for ocean action: UNOC 2025

The 2025 UN Ocean Conference (UNOC), hosted by France and Costa Rica from June 9 to 13 in Nice, France, will be a defining moment. Under the theme “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean,” governments, businesses, scientists and civil society will converge to shape the Nice Ocean Action Plan: a concise, action-oriented declaration backed by voluntary commitments.

UNOC 2025 will feature essential discussions addressing high-impact areas where business engagement is crucial, including: conserving, managing and restoring marine ecosystems, preventing marine pollution, mobilizing finance for Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water), scaling sustainable ocean-based economies, strengthening global ocean science and governance, fostering sustainable fisheries, building coastal community resilience and more.

These topics are more than policy priorities, they are economic and investment opportunities. They represent areas where business leadership can spark innovation, shape new markets, build competitive advantage and drive sustainable growth.

At the initiative of the governments of Monaco, France and Costa Rica, a special event “Blue Economy and Finance Forum” (BEFF) will gather decision-makers from the public and private sectors in Monaco across the two days prior to the official opening of the UNOC-3.

A united business voice for ocean action

Business for Nature is proud to collaborate with many of our coalition partners who are championing stronger business engagement for the ocean.

Organizations such as Association française des Entreprises Pour l’Environnement (EpE), UN Global Compact, International Chamber of Commerce, World Economic Forum, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), We Mean Business Coalition, The Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGC), AFEP, Mouvement des Entreprises de France (MEDEF), European Federation of Ethical and Alternative Banks and Financiers (FEBEA), Science Based Targets Network (SBTN), CDP, UN Oceans Council, UN Global Compact Network France, are all playing key roles.

Below are just a few practical examples of how our partners are mobilizing businesses to engage at the UN Ocean Conference and beyond.

How can businesses get involved?

1. Sign and endorse the Business Call to Action – “Land and Sea, a Vital Connection for a Thriving and Resilient Economy” to show your support for a nature-positive, ocean-secure future: This effort is led by Association française des Entreprises pour l’Environnement (EpE) and UN Global Compact Network France, together with other leading business networks including International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), World Economic Forum (WEF), We Mean Business Coalition and Business for Nature (BfN).
2. Engage in policy conversations ahead of UNOC: help shape the global agenda with clear business messages. For example, Press Pause on Deep-Seabed Mining
3. Participate in ocean-focused events at UNOC and beyond, showcasing leadership, sharing solutions and partnerships and driving alignment on climate and nature actions. Overview of relevant business events at UNOC.

Driving action beyond UNOC 2025

Businesses already on the path toward climate and nature action must now take the next step: developing a credible, long-term nature strategy. This includes assessing and prioritizing their ocean-related dependencies and impacts and translating that knowledge into science-based targets. Tools like the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) Oceans Methodology, particularly for the seafood sector, offer companies a credible way to turn ambition into measurable action.

Businesses have the potential, reach and influence to drive transformative change for the ocean. But the time to act is now. Now is the moment to show leadership, align with emerging global frameworks and help secure a healthy ocean that underpins a resilient and thriving global economy.