Published on: June 17, 2026
By Susanna Tol, Wetlands International and Anelise Zimmer, The Pew Charitable Trusts
The ocean, a critical, yet often overlooked, component of global climate action, took center stage during the Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue, held June 10-11, 2026, in Bonn, Germany. This pivotal event, occurring concurrently with the sixty-fourth session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA 64), underscored a growing consensus among nations on the indispensable role of marine ecosystems in addressing the climate crisis. As the international community gears up for the U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP31) in November, the discussions in Bonn illuminated both the significant strides made in incorporating ocean-based solutions into national climate strategies and the substantial obstacles that continue to impede their widespread implementation.
The Dialogue unfolded across three interconnected themes: the integration of ocean-based measures into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the crucial “means of implementation” required to translate ambition into tangible action, and the vital synergies between ocean, climate, and biodiversity agendas. A consistent thread woven through all three discussions was the acknowledgment that while countries are increasingly recognizing and prioritizing the ocean within their climate policies, a significant gap persists between stated commitments and on-the-ground execution.
Mangrove forests and other coastal wetlands, in particular, were highlighted as frontline solutions, universally lauded for their multifaceted benefits. These vital ecosystems demonstrably deliver on climate mitigation through carbon sequestration, enhance adaptation by buffering coastlines against extreme weather events, support rich biodiversity, bolster food security, and build community resilience. Their recognition at the Dialogue signals a maturing understanding of nature-based solutions within the broader climate action framework.
Ocean-Based Measures in NDCs: From Inclusion to Implementation
The first thematic session delved into the extent to which ocean-based climate action is currently reflected in NDCs, the cornerstone of national climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. Participants reported encouraging progress, noting a discernible increase in the inclusion of ocean-related measures, particularly among coastal and island nations. This trend signifies a growing appreciation for the intricate linkages between ocean health and climate stability.
The momentum behind mangrove conservation is especially noteworthy. Fifteen 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 dedicated finance for mangrove conservation and restoration. This burgeoning inclusion in NDCs represents a critical step in formally recognizing the ecological and climate value of these vital coastal habitats.
However, a common observation across discussions was that while ocean-related commitments are frequently featured, they often lean towards adaptation rather than mitigation strategies. Furthermore, these commitments are not always translated into concrete, measurable, and time-bound targets, making it challenging to track progress and ensure accountability. A key takeaway from this session was the imperative of "implementation readiness" as a prerequisite for "investment readiness." To bridge this gap and facilitate effective implementation, participants identified several critical barriers that require urgent attention. These include the need for improved access to comprehensive data and robust monitoring systems, enhanced technical guidance and capacity-building initiatives, the establishment of strategic partnerships and effective stakeholder engagement platforms, and improved institutional coordination across relevant government bodies.
Means of Implementation: Closing the Gap Between Ambition and Delivery
The second theme of the Dialogue confronted one of the most persistent challenges in climate action: the "means of implementation," encompassing finance, technology, and capacity-building. Across diverse geographical regions, a recurring narrative emerged: a significant disconnect between the scale of stated ocean-related commitments and the availability of resources necessary to fulfill them. For many developing countries, particularly Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other developing coastal nations, the successful implementation of ocean-based climate actions remains heavily contingent on external support. Consequently, finance emerged as the paramount concern, dominating much of the deliberative exchange.
Delegates repeatedly articulated the difficulties encountered in accessing climate finance, developing bankable project pipelines, and navigating the complex landscape of fragmented funding mechanisms. This often leaves promising initiatives stalled before they can even begin. The call for enhanced support was unequivocal: countries urged for more robust assistance in developing investment-ready projects, improving accessibility to existing climate and biodiversity funds, and building the essential technical capacities required to design, implement, and monitor large-scale ocean-based 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 protecting and restoring mangrove ecosystems – these calls for support directly reinforce the value and relevance of their existing tools and resources. These include the Mangrove Breakthrough’s Financial Roadmap, the Mangrove Catalytic Facility, and its Regional Readiness Reports, which offer country-level investment propositions. These offerings are specifically designed to bridge the divide between national aspirations and practical, on-the-ground implementation by equipping governments and partners with the frameworks and support needed to develop fundable, high-integrity mangrove programs.
Furthermore, established resources such as the Global Mangrove Watch, which provides critical data and monitoring capabilities, and the Global Mangrove Alliance’s Best Practice Guidelines for Mangrove Restoration, are well-positioned to assist countries in identifying priority areas for intervention, tracking progress effectively, and designing restoration efforts that yield lasting ecological and socio-economic benefits.
A particularly promising development highlighted during the Dialogue was the upcoming UNFCCC Standing Committee on Finance (SCF) Forum on Oceans and Water Systems, scheduled for September. The SCF plays a crucial role in assisting countries in coordinating and mobilizing finance for climate action. The dedicated focus on ocean and water systems, sectors historically underserved by climate finance despite their critical importance, has generated considerable optimism. Participants expressed hope that this Forum could significantly elevate the profile of ocean finance within broader climate finance discussions and identify concrete pathways to scale up investments in coastal ecosystems and resilience-building measures.
Ocean-Climate-Biodiversity Synergies: Breaking Down Silos
The third thematic area of the Dialogue focused on unlocking the inherent synergies between ocean, climate, and biodiversity agendas. A recurrent theme was the unique capacity of mangroves, seagrasses, and other coastal wetlands to deliver multiple benefits simultaneously. This recognition underscores the potential for integrated approaches to yield greater returns on investment and accelerate progress across multiple global goals.
Despite this clear overlap, many nations continue to grapple with the pervasive challenge of fragmented governance systems, disparate reporting requirements, and entrenched institutional silos. In numerous countries, the management of marine and coastal resources is fragmented across multiple government agencies, each with its own mandate and priorities, leading to coordination challenges and missed opportunities for synergy.
Throughout the Dialogue, participants strongly advocated for enhanced coherence between key national policy instruments. This includes aligning Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) with National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), and implementation plans under other crucial multilateral environmental agreements, such as the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in December 2022, featured prominently in these discussions, particularly Targets 2 and 3, which address ecosystem restoration and conservation. Participants pointed to mangroves as a prime example of how integrated action can be effectively implemented 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 fostering greater coherence. Several discussions centered on opportunities to harmonize indicators, improve data-sharing protocols, and facilitate the reuse of information across different convention reporting frameworks. Participants acknowledged that many countries face significant capacity constraints and would greatly benefit from more integrated approaches that reduce the reporting burden while maximizing the utility of collected data.
The vital role of civil society, scientific institutions, and non-state actors in facilitating collaboration across different national focal points for various conventions, ministries, and sectors was also emphasized. Platforms such as the Global Mangrove Watch, alongside national mangrove or blue carbon strategies and robust cross-ministerial coordination mechanisms, were cited as tangible examples of how integrated implementation can be effectively supported.
Looking Toward COP31
As the Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue drew to a close, a palpable sense of optimism permeated the discussions, fueled by the increasing prominence of ocean-related issues within the UNFCCC process. Representatives of the incoming COP31 presidency signaled a strong commitment to elevating ocean-climate action and ensuring that the insights and recommendations emerging from the Dialogue will significantly inform the preparatory stages and the substantive agenda of COP31.
Looking ahead, participants advocated for a more robust alignment of the Dialogue process with the Paris Agreement’s ambition cycle. Future dialogues could be strategically structured to progressively support countries through the various phases of climate action, from the initial integration of ocean priorities into NDCs, through to effective implementation, transparent reporting, and ultimately, informing the critical assessments conducted during the UNFCCC Global Stocktakes – the five-yearly reviews of the world’s collective progress toward achieving global climate goals.
The intensive discussions in Bonn underscored a crucial realization: many of the necessary tools, the requisite knowledge, and the essential partnerships are already in place. The paramount challenge now lies in mobilizing these assets at the scale and speed demanded to safeguard resilient ecosystems for the benefit of both present and future generations, and for the myriad species that depend on them. The Mangrove Breakthrough NDC Task Force, a global coalition of experts dedicated to assisting countries in designing and implementing their mangrove-specific NDCs, stands ready to support governments that have endorsed the Mangrove Breakthrough initiative in advancing implementation and investment planning for their mangrove-related climate commitments.
Susanna Tol serves as 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 a participating organization in the Mangrove Breakthrough NDC Taskforce and submitted a written intervention to inform the Ocean Climate Dialogues.
