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Solutions for the protection of critical infrastructure and other high-security areas
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Solutions for marine pollution control, coastal and shoreline protection to effectively address environmental concerns
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Solutions for the protection of critical infrastructure and other high-security areas
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The Third UN Ocean Conference 2025 (UNOC3), held in Nice, France from June 9-13, 2025, brought a renewed sense of urgency and opportunity to the global ocean agenda. With over 60 heads of state, 190 ministers, thousands of scientists, NGOs and private sector leaders in attendance, the focus was clear: Protect Life Below Water (SDG14), accelerate the blue economy and strengthen ocean-climate links. This momentum has direct implications for companies like ours. At Ecocoast, we are building the future of sustainable marine infrastructure and coastal resilience.
One of the most significant outcomes of the conference was the adoption of the Nice Ocean Action Plan. This global political declaration is backed by over 800 voluntary commitments.
The plan aims to scale marine protection, regulate biodiversity beyond national borders, reduce marine pollution and unlock financing. It supports small island and coastal nations, such as the Maldives, facing the worst of climate impacts.
Another major development was the announcement of €8.7 billion in ocean investment. Funding came from public banks, philanthropic organizations and private sector investors.
Much of this funding is earmarked for expanding Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), pushing the global coverage from 8% to over 10%. It also accelerates projects that improve coastal resilience, ocean health and climate mitigation.
For companies working at the intersection of sustainability, innovation and infrastructure, this influx of capital signals growing opportunities for collaboration and impact.
A breakthrough came with the High Seas Treaty. Also known as the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), 18 new countries ratified the agreement during the conference. That brings the total to 49 out of the 60 needed for it to enter into force.
This means the treaty is now very close to — but not yet at — the threshold required for formal enforcement. Leaders expect the treaty could enter into force by early 2026 if momentum continues.
Once the remaining ratifications are secured, the treaty will provide a legal mechanism to protect biodiversity in the two-thirds of the ocean that lies beyond national jurisdiction.
Another development of growing relevance is the renewed support for a precautionary pause on deep-sea mining (however, no formal moratorium). Countries across regions voiced concerns over its irreversible ecological risks, underscoring the need for stricter regulations. This aligns with our focus on protecting marine ecosystems and offering sustainable alternatives for development. The same message was echoed at the UN Ocean Conference 2025 in Nice.
The conference also introduced the Blue NDC Challenge, launched by France and Brazil. It is a voluntary initiative that encourages national governments to integrate ocean-based solutions into their climate action plans. This call to action aligns closely with our mission to support climate-resilient coastlines through nature-based, community-driven solutions.
Importantly, over 2,000 scientists participated in the conference, reinforcing the need for science-based policymaking. Their message was clear: managing marine ecosystems sustainably requires better data, long-term monitoring and more investment in ocean research. Our own work in designing engineered solutions grounded in science echoes this push for evidence-driven policy.
Finally, UNOC3 placed strong emphasis on the inclusion of coastal communities, Indigenous peoples and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in shaping the future of the oceans. The message was not only about conservation, but about equity and shared prosperity, ensuring that the benefits of ocean protection reach those on the front lines of climate and biodiversity risks.
The outcomes from Nice validate and reinforce the direction that we have been moving towards for years. The surge in climate and ocean financing presents an unprecedented opportunity to scale our impact further through partnerships. We’ve long been active in nature-based coastal protection, marine pollution solutions and habitat restoration, partnering with companies like The Ocean Cleanup, Cefas and Ichthion.
With the High Seas Treaty close to enforcement, there will be a greater need for the kinds of solutions we specialize in — booms, barriers, regenerative solutions and monitoring systems. These solutions help enforce protected zones and reduce human impact. As MPAs expand and new regulations take shape, we expect growing demand for infrastructure that not only protects coastlines, but also supports biodiversity goals.
Moreover, the focus on integrating blue solutions into national climate strategies is a direct call for more innovation in coastal infrastructure — solutions that are resilient, sustainable and compatible with the needs of vulnerable coastal populations. This is where we can lead without doubt: providing engineered solutions that are designed to work with, rather than against, natural ecosystems.
The UN Ocean Conference 2025 in Nice is now behind us and COP29 has concluded in Baku, Azerbaijan. The road ahead leads to COP30 in Belém, Brazil — a pivotal moment where the Amazon and the ocean will take center stage in global climate discussions.
At COP29, billed as the “Finance COP”, world leaders made progress on a new collective finance goal and officially operationalized the Loss and Damage Fund with implementation ongoing.
However, many in the ocean community noted that marine ecosystems still received relatively little attention in the core negotiations. Despite strong advocacy, ocean-based climate solutions — from blue carbon to coastal protection — remain underfunded and under-integrated in national climate plans.
That sets the stage for COP30 to go further.
Brazil’s leadership and the Amazonian context offer a powerful opportunity to push the ocean-climate nexus higher up the agenda. We can expect stronger calls for:
-Integrating marine solutions into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
-Scaling up nature-based approaches to climate adaptation.
-Ensuring climate finance flows to coastal and Indigenous communities.
-Recognizing blue carbon ecosystems as critical tools for mitigation and resilience.
The UN Ocean Conference 2025 in Nice signaled a historic shift in the global ocean agenda. Funding, science and governance are now aligned behind the idea that a healthy ocean is essential for a stable climate and a resilient economy. For us at Ecocoast, the implications are clear. There is more support, more alignment and more opportunity than ever to scale up our mission.
The lead-up to COP30 in Brazil offers a critical runway to showcase what coastal infrastructure for the future can look like. By building partnerships, engaging in global dialogues and staying ahead of policy and market shifts, we are well positioned to help deliver the next generation of blue solutions.
“Protecting the ocean means protecting an immense carbon sink and unimaginable biodiversity reserves.”
— Emmanuel Macron, President of France
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