More Ambitious Corporate Action: A Call for Transparency and Accountability
When it comes to restoring our oceans, ambition is not optional—it's critical. The environmental challenges we face today, particularly in our oceans, are staggering. Rising sea levels, declining marine life, and the flood of plastics and pollutants are just some of the consequences of years of neglect. And while governments and individuals have a role to play, corporations—especially those whose industries have historically contributed to these problems—must step up with bold, innovative, and transparent actions.
It’s time for corporations to go beyond surface-level efforts like greenwashing. What we need now is real, measurable change—and fast. The future of our oceans depends on businesses across all sectors to not only contribute to solutions but to drive them.
Why Corporations Must Be More Ambitious
Corporations have the resources, influence, and capacity to scale solutions faster than any other sector. From reducing emissions to cleaning up plastic waste, corporations hold the key to making significant progress on environmental issues. But this won’t happen without ambition. Incremental changes won’t solve the exponential problems our oceans face. We need companies to set bold goals, innovate beyond their comfort zones, and implement practices that challenge the status quo.
For example, companies that rely on the ocean for resources—whether through fishing, shipping, or tourism—have an incredible opportunity (and responsibility) to invest in its long-term health. Rather than continuing the unsustainable extraction of resources, these industries should shift toward practices that regenerate ecosystems and contribute to ocean abundance. And those industries that contribute indirectly to ocean degradation, like manufacturing and packaging, need to get creative with how they can reduce waste and rethink their environmental impact.
Collaboration Across All Industries: Leaving No One Behind
As advocates and environmentalists, we can’t limit our partnerships to non-polluting industries or those that have stayed out of the problem. We need to work with every sector—even those with the most significant environmental footprint—because they’re the ones who need to change the most. Industries that have historically contributed to pollution have the power to create the most impact through transformation.
We must move beyond blame and finger-pointing. We cannot afford to alienate the very industries that need to be part of the solution. The goal isn’t to assign guilt; it’s to recognize that problems create opportunities for solutions. And those solutions often emerge from the sectors that are part of the problem in the first place.
Look at the example of plastics. Plastics were once hailed as a revolutionary material—lightweight, durable, and versatile. But fast forward a few decades, and plastic waste is choking our oceans. This is a clear example of how solutions can also create new problems, but it doesn’t mean the story ends there. We can, and must, innovate our way out of this issue. The key is to recognize that industries that produced the problem—plastics, packaging, and consumer goods—can also be central to the solution through radical innovation, better materials, and new systems of reuse and recycling.
Radical, Transparent Collaboration is the Only Way Forward
The scale of ocean restoration required cannot be achieved by any one sector or entity alone. It requires radical collaboration across industries, governments, NGOs, and local communities. But more than that, it requires transparent collaboration. Companies must be willing to share their successes and failures openly. It’s not enough to just talk about what’s working. We need to understand what isn’t working if we’re going to improve and scale real solutions.
Businesses must also engage in partnerships that extend beyond profit margins. Environmental advocacy groups, scientists, and policy experts all bring valuable insights to the table. The more we can work together, break down silos, and challenge each other to think bigger, the more likely we are to achieve the sweeping changes that the ocean so desperately needs.
How Corporations Can Contribute to Ocean Restoration
Corporations have a critical role to play in every stage of ocean restoration. Here are just a few ways they can contribute:
Investment in Blue Economy Initiatives: Companies can fund and support projects that aim to restore marine ecosystems, such as coral reef regeneration, sustainable fisheries, and marine protected areas.
Innovating New Materials: For industries that rely heavily on plastics and other pollutants, innovation is key. By investing in research and development, companies can help develop biodegradable materials or create closed-loop systems that minimize waste.
Reducing Emissions: Shipping, fishing, and tourism industries are responsible for a significant share of carbon emissions. Companies in these sectors should prioritize reducing their carbon footprint through the adoption of clean energy and sustainable practices.
Plastic Accountability: Companies that manufacture, package, or rely on single-use plastics must take accountability for the full lifecycle of their products. This includes designing products for reuse, reducing plastic use, and investing in large-scale cleanup efforts.
Advocating for Policy Change: Corporations hold considerable influence in policy discussions. By advocating for stronger environmental regulations, they can push entire industries toward more sustainable practices.
Moving Beyond the Status Quo
The ocean has the ability to restore itself when given the chance. But it needs all hands on deck—especially from those who have historically contributed to the problem. Corporations must lead with ambition, transparency, and collaboration. By working together with industries that are willing to act in good faith, we can scale solutions that will restore the ocean, reverse the flow of plastic pollution, and ensure a future of abundance for our blue planet.
The time for incremental change is over. Let’s be ambitious, let’s be bold, and most importantly, let’s work together to create a world where the oceans thrive once again.
