UN Strengthens Ocean Investment Protocol to Tackle Financial Risks…

Event summary

UN Global Compact, UNEP FI, and WWF revised the Ocean Investment Protocol (OIP) on September 21, 2026, introducing recommendations for central banks and financial regulators for the first time.
The updated Protocol aims to align financial decision-making with a sustainable ocean economy, addressing material economic and financial risks from declining ocean health.
Key priorities include scaling investment in sustainable seafood, shipping, offshore renewable energy, and nature-based solutions.
The Protocol emphasizes the need for improved data, measurement, and ocean literacy across the financial system.

The big picture

The revised Ocean Investment Protocol reflects the growing recognition that declining ocean health poses material financial risks, affecting sectors from food security to trade. By providing a framework for financial actors to manage these risks, the Protocol aims to mobilize capital toward a sustainable ocean economy, aligning with global sustainability goals and biodiversity commitments. The involvement of central banks and regulators marks a significant shift in how ocean-related risks are considered in financial stability assessments.

What we're watching

Regulatory Adoption: How central banks and financial regulators will integrate ocean-related risks into their frameworks and supervisory approaches.
Investment Scaling: The pace at which private capital will flow into sustainable ocean economy sectors like offshore renewable energy and conservation.
Data Standardization: Whether the financial system will develop accessible and reliable ocean data methodologies to support informed decision-making.