No Healthy Planet Without a Healthy Ocean
Photo: Sebastian V. / Pexels
The ocean sustains life and economies, but growing threats demand urgent action to protect its future.
Life began in the ocean, and today, all living beings continue to rely on it. Our seas are a vital source of natural resources, home to diverse wildlife, and play a crucial role in regulating our climate. They also provide jobs, economic opportunities, and coastal habitats that act as a natural defence against extreme weather. We depend on marine industries for their livelihoods, from fishing to tourism and shipping.
Yet, our oceans are under immense pressure. Climate change, pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction threaten marine life and all those who depend on it. As our reliance on the sea for food, energy, and transportation grows, so do the challenges. The European Union has recognised the urgent need to act, implementing ambitious policies and initiatives to restore and protect ocean health.
The ocean in crisis: What’s at stake?
Human activities have dramatically altered marine ecosystems, disrupting their delicate balance. Some of the biggest threats include:
Pollution: Millions of tonnes of plastic waste enter the ocean each year, harming marine life and contaminating food chains.
Biodiversity loss: Overfishing and habitat destruction have put species at risk, destabilising entire ecosystems.
Climate change: Rising temperatures and ocean acidification are leading to coral bleaching, sea level rise, and disrupted marine habitats.
Seabed destruction: Bottom trawling and deep-sea mining damage fragile ecosystems, some of which take centuries to recover.
Underwater noise pollution: Shipping and industrial activities interfere with marine life communication, affecting species like whales and dolphins.
From policy to practice: The EU’s Mission to restore our oceans
To tackle these urgent threats, the European Union has developed comprehensive policies aimed at safeguarding marine environments. One of the most significant frameworks is the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), adopted in 2008, which sets clear goals for protecting Europe’s seas while promoting sustainable use. Through extensive monitoring and research, the MSFD has provided invaluable data to guide conservation efforts.
Building on this foundation, the EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters was launched in 2021, integrating science, innovation, and community engagement to accelerate ocean restoration. This mission adopts a holistic approach, addressing the interconnected water system – from rivers and lakes to coastal and deep-sea environments. Additionally, the EU calls on Member States, regions, and a wide range of stakeholders to endorse the Mission Charter for the same objectives:
- Protecting and restoring marine and freshwater ecosystems to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem services
- Preventing and eliminating pollution in oceans, seas, and waters, aiming for zero waste and toxic-free waters
- Advancing a carbon-neutral and circular blue economy, ensuring that economic activities linked to the ocean are sustainable and regenerative
How will this be implemented?
The Implementation Plan for the Mission Restore Our Oceans and Waters was published in September 2021, outlining the criteria for its success. The Mission will be considered accomplished once the quantifiable and measurable goals of the EU Biodiversity Strategy, the EU Action Plan Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Soil, and Water, and the EU Climate Law have been achieved.
To reach these objectives, the Mission will implement innovative solutions at a basin scale, with each basin focusing on a specific priority during the development and pilot phase (2021-2025). The designated basins, also called Mission lighthouses are composed of one objective each:
- Danube River Basin: Protecting and restoring freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity
- Atlantic and Arctic Coasts: Safeguarding and regenerating marine ecosystems and biodiversity
- Mediterranean Sea: Preventing and eliminating pollution
- Baltic and North Sea Basin: Achieving a carbon-neutral blue economy
The second phase (2026-2030) will focus on scaling up and deploying successful initiatives, replicating pilot activities across broader regions.
Through this Mission, the EU continues to lead leading efforts to safeguard marine biodiversity, combat pollution, and promote a sustainable blue economy. By aligning these policies with broader EU strategies, each can contribute to a future where oceans and societies can thrive together.
