Published on: June 17, 2026
By Susanna Tol, Wetlands International and Anelise Zimmer, The Pew Charitable Trusts
The ocean is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of effective climate action, a sentiment underscored during the Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue, held June 10-11, 2026, as part of the sixty-fourth session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA 64) in Bonn, Germany. As nations prepare for the crucial U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP31) in November, the dialogue highlighted the urgent need to accelerate the implementation of ocean-based climate solutions at the scale demanded by the climate crisis.
The Dialogue, structured around three key themes—ocean-based measures in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), means of implementation, and ocean-climate-biodiversity synergies—revealed a consistent message: while countries are making significant strides in integrating ocean priorities into their climate policies, substantial obstacles persist in translating these commitments into tangible actions. Among the most frequently cited and critically important nature-based solutions were mangroves and other coastal wetlands. These ecosystems were universally acknowledged for their multifaceted benefits, offering simultaneous climate mitigation and adaptation, robust biodiversity conservation, enhanced food security, and strengthened community resilience.
From Inclusion to Implementation: Ocean-Based Measures in NDCs
The initial theme of the Dialogue focused on the integration of ocean-based climate action within national climate plans, known as NDCs. Participants reported encouraging progress, noting a discernible rise in the number of coastal and island nations incorporating ocean-related measures into their NDCs. This trend reflects a growing understanding of the intrinsic link between the ocean and climate stability. The momentum surrounding mangroves, in particular, is substantial. Notably, 15 governments that have endorsed the Mangrove Breakthrough initiative have already integrated specific mangrove targets or references into their NDCs. The Mangrove Breakthrough, a collaborative effort involving governments and non-governmental organizations, aims to galvanize collective action and secure adequate financing for mangrove conservation and restoration.
Despite this progress, a recurring observation from countries and observers was that ocean-related commitments often lean towards adaptation rather than mitigation, and frequently lack clear, measurable targets. A critical point emphasized during discussions was the prerequisite of "implementation readiness" for attracting investment. To pave the way for successful action, participants identified several key barriers that must be overcome: enhanced access to reliable data and robust monitoring systems, improved technical guidance and capacity building, the establishment of strategic partnerships and effective stakeholder engagement platforms, and strengthened institutional coordination.
Closing the Implementation Gap: Means of Implementation for Ocean Action
The second theme delved into one of the most significant challenges facing climate action: the effective implementation of commitments. Across diverse geographical regions, countries articulated a persistent disconnect between the ambition of their ocean-related goals and the availability of resources to achieve them. For many developing nations, particularly Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other developing coastal countries, the capacity to implement climate initiatives is heavily reliant on external support. Consequently, climate finance emerged as the paramount issue dominating the discussions.
Participants repeatedly voiced their struggles in accessing climate finance, developing bankable project pipelines, and navigating the complexities of fragmented funding mechanisms. There was a strong call for enhanced support to develop investment-ready projects, improve access to existing climate and biodiversity funds, and build the essential technical capacity required for the preparation, implementation, and monitoring of large-scale initiatives.
For initiatives like the Mangrove Breakthrough and its co-founder, the Global Mangrove Alliance—a global coalition of non-governmental organizations, governments, scientists, and local communities dedicated to safeguarding and restoring mangrove ecosystems—this call for support validates the importance of their existing tools and resources. These include the Mangrove Breakthrough’s Financial Roadmap, the Mangrove Catalytic Facility, and the Regional Readiness Reports, which provide country-level investment propositions. These efforts are specifically designed to bridge the gap between national aspirations and practical execution by assisting governments and partners in developing fundable, high-integrity mangrove programs.
Furthermore, established resources such as the Global Mangrove Watch and the Global Mangrove Alliance’s Best Practice Guidelines for Mangrove Restoration are poised to assist countries in identifying priority mangrove areas, tracking progress, and designing restoration efforts that yield enduring ecological and social benefits.
A particularly promising development discussed during the Dialogue was the upcoming UNFCCC Standing Committee on Finance (SCF) Forum on Oceans and Water Systems. The SCF plays a vital role in assisting countries in coordinating and mobilizing finance for climate action. The September forum, dedicated to ocean and water systems—sectors historically underfunded yet critically important for climate action—is anticipated to elevate the profile of ocean finance within broader climate finance discussions and identify pathways to scale investments in coastal ecosystems and resilience.
Breaking Down Silos: Ocean-Climate-Biodiversity Synergies
The third theme of the Dialogue explored the crucial interconnections between climate, biodiversity, and ocean agendas. Participants consistently emphasized the unique capacity of mangroves, seagrasses, and other coastal wetlands to deliver multiple benefits concurrently. Despite this evident overlap, many countries continue to grapple with fragmented governance structures, disparate reporting requirements, and institutional silos. In numerous nations, the management of marine and coastal areas is distributed across multiple agencies, hindering effective coordination.
Throughout the Dialogue, a strong consensus emerged on the necessity of greater coherence between NDCs, National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), and implementation plans under other multilateral environmental agreements, such as the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework received significant attention, particularly Targets 2 and 3, which focus on ecosystem restoration and conservation. Dialogue participants highlighted mangroves as a prime example of integrated action in practice. By prioritizing the protection and restoration of mangrove ecosystems and other wetlands, countries can simultaneously advance their climate commitments under the UNFCCC, their biodiversity goals under the Global Biodiversity Framework, and their wetland conservation objectives under the Ramsar Convention.
Monitoring and reporting were identified as practical entry points for enhancing coherence. Several discussions revolved around opportunities to harmonize indicators, improve data sharing, and facilitate the reuse of information across conventions. Participants acknowledged that many countries face significant capacity constraints and would benefit from more integrated approaches that streamline reporting burdens.
The crucial role of civil society, scientific institutions, and non-state actors in fostering collaboration among National Focal Points of different conventions, ministries, and sectors was also underscored. Platforms such as the Global Mangrove Watch, alongside national mangrove or blue carbon strategies and cross-ministerial coordination mechanisms, were cited as tangible examples of how integrated implementation can be supported.
Charting the Course Towards COP31
As the Dialogue drew to a close, participants expressed optimism regarding the increasing prominence of ocean issues within the UNFCCC process. The incoming COP31 leadership signaled a strong commitment to prioritizing ocean-climate action and ensuring that the outcomes of the Ocean Dialogue inform the preparatory stages for both the pre-COP and COP31 itself.
Looking ahead, participants advocated for a closer alignment of the Dialogue process with the Paris Agreement’s ambition cycle. Future dialogues could progressively support countries through the various phases of climate action, from integrating ocean priorities into NDCs to implementation, transparency, reporting, and informing future UNFCCC Global Stocktakes—the periodic assessments of global collective progress towards achieving climate goals.
The discussions in Bonn unequivocally demonstrated that the necessary tools, knowledge, and partnerships are largely in place. The imperative now is to mobilize these resources at the scale and speed required to secure resilient ecosystems for the benefit of both people and biodiversity. The Mangrove Breakthrough NDC Task Force—a global consortium of experts dedicated to assisting countries in designing and implementing their mangrove NDCs—stands ready to support Mangrove Breakthrough-endorsing governments in advancing the implementation and investment planning for their mangrove-related NDCs.
Susanna Tol is a senior communications and advocacy officer on the Coasts and Deltas team at Wetlands International. Anelise Zimmer is a policy officer on The Pew Charitable Trusts’ advancing coastal wetlands conservation project. Wetlands International is an active participant in the Mangrove Breakthrough NDC Taskforce and contributed a written statement to the Ocean Climate Dialogues.
