With the increased use and exploration of our ocean, new issues, risks and opportunities are emerging that may have material impact on ocean industry operations. The WOC monitors and reports on emerging issues to its Members in order to foster and facilitate cross-sectoral leadership and collaboration to address the underpinning marine environmental challenges.
Priorities
Recognizing the needs of the Ocean Business Community, the WOC is exploring emerging issues that require global and cross sectoral leadership and collaboration.
In particular, the WOC is addressing the following Emerging Issues:
- Marine ecosystem services
- Ocean acidification
- Blue carbon
- Enhancing ocean uptake of CO2
You may have identified an Emerging Issue affecting the future of the ocean, its sustainable use, and development. Please contact us here with your suggestion.
Impact
The WOC facilitates the collaboration and exploration of industry driven solutions by the Ocean Business Community to Emerging Issues affecting the future of the ocean, its sustainable use, and development.
The WOC is working toward the following results through its Emerging Issues Focus:
- Active monitoring and analysis of Emerging Issues for WOC Members
- Growing cross sectoral industry leadership dialogue and collaboration on Emerging Issues
Relevant Events
The WOC also sponsored or participated in the following events on Emerging Issues affecting ocean sustainability and “Corporate Ocean Responsibility”:
- 2016 – Sustainable Ocean Summit, Rotterdam
–Sessions on “The Global Ocean Ecosystem: Status and Changes and What They Mean for Ocean Industries”; “Marine Biodiversity: Challenges and Opportunities for the Ocean Business Community” - 2015 – Sustainable Ocean Summit, Singapore
–Session on “Marine Ecosystems and Biodiversity” - 2013 – Sustainable Ocean Summit, Washington DC, USA
–Session on “Marine Ecosystem services and Blue Carbon”, - 2012 – Unesco-IOC Annual Large Marine Ecosystems Meeting, 2012
- 2011 – National Center for Science and Environment: Changing Oceans, Washington DC, USA
- 2010 – Sustainable Ocean Summit, Belfast, Northern Ireland
– Sessions on “Marine Ecosystem Services and Climate Change”; “Climate Change and Ocean Use”,