Tools to support a nature-positive ocean: Science-Based Targets and Nature Positive Ocean Pathways

Reaching a nature-positive future requires halting and reversing biodiversity loss, which requires transformative changes to views, structures, and practices at different scales. As recommended by IPBES, a key approach to achieve transformative change involves driving systemic shifts in the sectors most responsible for biodiversity loss and nature’s decline. As the largest habitat on Earth, the ocean faces persistent pressures from industrial activities, including overfishing, pollution, and habitat loss - yet the ocean-focused Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 14, Life Below Water) receives the least funding of all SDGs. To help counter this trend, multiple tools have emerged that aim to guide a nature-positive transformation for “blue economy” sectors: 

• The Science-Based Targets Network (SBTN) Ocean targets – which guide companies to set targets that reduce their most material pressures on the ocean, including in fisheries and aquaculture 
• The Nature Positive Ocean Pathways recommendations – which offer actionable approaches for the private sector (including offshore wind, coastal tourism, shipping, and fisheries/aquaculture) to credibly contribute to the nature-positive goal 

These tools and others are paving the way for assessments of private-sector actions through transparent monitoring, evaluation, and learning. Ultimately, these tools aim to help shift private and public investments away from nature-negative toward nature-positive incentives, enabling ecosystem regeneration as well as equitable outcomes for people. While both tools featured here focus on voluntary corporate action, it is critical that such approaches are complemented by regulatory actions that synergistically address systemic inequality, as well as climate change and other societal challenges (i.e. for water, food, health). This poster will feature these two ocean-focused tools and serve as a springboard for discussion around approaches available or possible to foster positive systemic change for ocean health.