The scientific article “Ocean Stewardship Commitment Across Global Businesses” has been published, led by Carlos Duarte, member of One Ocean Foundation's Scientific Committee, with contributions from Ralph Chami, the newest member of the Foundation's Scientific Committee, and the joint research team of One Ocean Foundation, SDA Bocconi School of Management, McKinsey & Company, and Rafael Sardà from CSIC.
The study builds on the research presented in the report Business for Ocean Sustainability – Third Edition: Capturing the Blue Opportunity and represents further recognition of the scientific work carried out over the years to understand how businesses interact with marine ecosystems and how they can contribute to the transition towards a regenerative ocean economy.
Ocean Sustainability: What the Study Reveals About Global Businesses
The research analysed the sustainability reports of 2,451 leading companies worldwide, representing approximately 70% of global market capitalization. Its findings reveal a significant gap between the importance of marine ecosystems to the global economy and the attention businesses dedicate to their protection.
In particular, SDG 14 – Life Below Water remains one of the least addressed Sustainable Development Goals, referenced by only 9% of companies in their sustainability reports.
However, the study also identifies encouraging signs of change. Among the companies reporting on SDG 14, 52% acknowledge at least one pressure their activities exert on marine ecosystems. Yet only 15% currently recognise ocean-related action primarily as a business opportunity.
These findings highlight the significant untapped potential of the regenerative blue economy. Businesses are increasingly recognising that ocean protection is not only an environmental responsibility, but also a driver of innovation, resilience and long-term value creation.
This is where the concept of Blue Business Opportunities comes into play: economic opportunities arising from the protection, restoration and sustainable management of marine and coastal ecosystems.
Ocean Impact Initiative: A Science-Based Framework for Corporate Action
The article also retraces the journey behind the development of the Ocean Impact Initiative (OII), a science-based framework designed to raise awareness of ocean-related impacts and support businesses in integrating ocean sustainability into their strategies.
Through a standardised methodology for identifying, assessing and disclosing impacts on marine ecosystems, the OII provides organisations with practical tools to strengthen transparency and accountability. One of the framework's distinctive features is the Activation Score, an innovative metric designed to support a deeper understanding of corporate engagement and encourage strategic action towards ocean sustainability.
Towards a Regenerative Blue Economy
As the blue economy continues to evolve, understanding how businesses depend on and impact marine ecosystems will be essential to unlocking the private sector's contribution to SDG 14.
Combining robust scientific research, transparent reporting and actionable measurement tools can help transform ocean stewardship from an emerging issue into a strategic business priority, fostering an economic model capable of generating value through the protection and restoration of blue natural capital.
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