8 June is World Oceans Day, the UN’s international day dedicated to raising awareness of the vital importance of the oceans to the Earth. To mark the occasion, the third global report on the state of our oceans – World Ocean Assessment III – is being published. Over 650 researchers – including researchers at Chalmers University of Technology – have contributed to the report, which highlights, among other things, the increased pressure on the oceans from climate change, resource extraction, emissions, population growth and coastal settlements. But the report also highlights solutions, and the importance of implementing them as soon as possible.
World Ocean Assessment III serves as a scientific knowledge base for governments, international processes and other decision-makers. It emphasises the need for long-term ocean observations, better data sharing and international cooperation to monitor changes in the oceans and evaluate the impact of various measures. The aim is to strengthen the link between research, policy and sustainable ocean management.
The report highlights many issues that are heading in the wrong direction for the world’s oceans. Yet despite increasing pressures, there are also opportunities, such as reducing emissions and increasing the protection of marine areas. However, this would require far-reaching systemic changes, sooner rather than later.
Without coordinated global action over the next decade, the state of the oceans will continue to deteriorate, threatening climate stability, biodiversity, food security and, not least, the well-being of billions of people.
The impact of shipping has been given its own chapter
Ida-Maja Hassellöv, Professor of Maritime Environmental Science at Chalmers University of Technology, has led the work on the report’s chapter on shipping. Her research focuses on the impact of shipping on the marine environment, and the aim is to provide scientific evidence to support the transition to more sustainable shipping.
For the first time, there is a chapter on shipping in the UN’s Global Marine Assessment. Why is this important?
"Increasingly, research shows that shipping is an industry that has a significant negative impact on the marine environment. At the same time, there is considerable scope to reduce the impact of ships on the sea. By highlighting shipping in a dedicated chapter, we are raising awareness of the need for a transition to reduce negative environmental impacts", says Ida-Maja Hassellöv.
What have been the biggest challenges in coordinating a chapter in the report?
"As is always the case with global teams of authors, it is a challenge to organise online meetings across different time zones, and of course it is difficult to cover all the aspects one would like in a short chapter. In addition, the extensive review process – first scientific review, then two rounds involving all UN member states – is a challenge. There is a great deal happening right now in the shipping industry’s work on environmental and climate adaptation, all within a short space of time, which meant we had to revise the content as we went along to ensure it remained up to date, for example regarding global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions".
How relevant is the report for Sweden?
"Swedish research into the environmental impact of shipping is at the global forefront, and it is pleasing that this is reflected through our role in the report. I believe it can also reinforce the legitimacy Sweden already enjoys by having taken an active role in global shipping forums and having been re-elected for 2026–2027 to the Council of the International Maritime Organisation".
"Finally, I would like to mention that the 4th international Shipping and Environment conference, which brings together both researchers and decision-makers, will take place in Gothenburg in September, further cementing Sweden’s leading role in this field", says Ida-Maja, who provides expert support to the relevant Swedish authorities regarding the environmental impact of shipping, both at national level and in international contexts within HELCOM (Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission), OSPAR (Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic) and the IMO (International Maritime Organization).
World Ocean Assessment III summarises its conclusions under the following headings:
The ocean is important to everyone
The sea is vital to human well-being, wherever you live. It regulates the climate by absorbing heat and greenhouse gases, contributes to food security, produces a large proportion of the oxygen we breathe, and generates significant economic value through trade, tourism and employment.
The ocean is under increasing pressure
Population growth and the concentration of people and activities along coastlines are leading to increased resource extraction, exploitation and environmental impact. At the same time, offshore activities such as wind power, oil extraction and infrastructure are expanding, affecting marine ecosystems even far from the coast.
Climate change is altering the oceans
The oceans are warming, sea levels are rising at an ever-increasing rate and oxygen-depleted areas are spreading. These changes are particularly evident in the Arctic, where warming is occurring significantly faster than the global average.
Biodiversity is declining
Many marine ecosystems are under severe pressure. Coral reefs, mangrove forests and seagrass beds are declining, whilst species are shifting their ranges as temperatures rise and new species are establishing themselves in areas where they previously did not exist.
Pollution is increasing
The influx of plastic, microplastics and chemical pollutants into the oceans continues to rise, affecting a large number of marine species. At the same time, there are some positive examples where the presence of older environmental toxins has decreased.
The ocean’s food system is under threat
The sea is a vital source of food and livelihoods for billions of people, but overfishing, illegal fishing, climate change, disease outbreaks and pollution are making these systems increasingly vulnerable.
The blue economy is large but not sustainable
The blue economy is growing rapidly and generates significant value through sectors such as tourism, shipping, energy extraction and fishing. At the same time, many of these activities have a significant environmental and climate impact, and coastal industries are becoming increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
Governance and knowledge
International cooperation on marine issues is strengthening, but governance remains fragmented across numerous agreements and regulatory frameworks. At the same time, major knowledge gaps persist regarding the state and functions of the oceans, particularly in deep-sea areas, which hinders effective and long-term sustainable decision-making.
The report also identifies possible solutions to the problems
Despite the growing challenges, there are several ways forward. Nature-based solutions, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, the restoration of marine ecosystems and increased protection of marine areas can all help to strengthen the resilience of the oceans.
Success also requires better coordination between countries, more sustainable use of marine resources, and the utilisation of the knowledge of indigenous peoples and local communities. At the same time, the report emphasises that measures targeting the oceans alone are not enough to solve the climate crisis.
The coming decade is therefore described as crucial: without swift and coordinated action, the state of the oceans risks continuing to deteriorate, with consequences for the climate, biodiversity, food security and human well-being worldwide.
Fact box: World Ocean Assessment III
• World Ocean Assessment III is the UN’s third global assessment of the state of the oceans.
• The report has been produced as part of the UN’s regular process for global reporting and assessment of the marine environment.
• Over 650 scientists and experts from a large number of countries have contributed to the work.
• The report comprises approximately 1,600 pages and summarises the latest knowledge on the marine environment, human impacts and possible measures.
• The assessment is based on research from around the world and covers, among other things, climate change, biodiversity, pollution, fisheries, shipping and the blue economy.
• The report serves as a scientific basis for governments, international organisations and other decision-makers.
• The World Ocean Assessment is published approximately every five years. The first report was published in 2016 and the second in 2021.
Kontakt
- Head of Division, Maritime Environmental Science, Environmental and Energy Sciences