Valuing the Ocean Environment

The analysis estimates that by 2100, the cost of ocean damage under a high-emissions scenario (RCP6) would reach US$ 1,980 billion, compared to US$ 612.2 billion under a low-emissions scenario (RCP2.6). The avoidable damage—the difference between these two pathways—is estimated at US$ 1,367.4 billion per year by 2100, representing 0.25 percent of global GDP. The study focuses on five priceable categories: fisheries, sea-level rise, storms, tourism, and the ocean carbon sink, while explicitly excluding 'priceless' values such as biodiversity. It notes that the poorest countries, including those in Africa, East Asia, the Caribbean, and Pacific island nations, are most vulnerable to these impacts.

• The economic cost of ocean damage by 2100 is projected to be US$ 1,980 billion under a high-emissions pathway (RCP6), which is equivalent to 0.37 percent of global GDP.
• The avoidable damage—the amount that could be saved by choosing a low-emissions pathway (RCP2.6) over a high-emissions one—is estimated at US$ 1,367 billion per year by 2100, or 0.25 percent of GDP.
• The analysis focuses on five specific categories of ocean services with measurable damages: fisheries, sea-level rise, storms, tourism, and the ocean carbon sink. By 2100, the highest avoidable costs are associated with the ocean carbon sink (US$ 457.8 billion), tourism (US$ 337.7 billion), and sea-level rise (US$ 333.2 billion).
• The study distinguishes between priceable services and 'priceless' values; for instance, while the whale-watching industry can be priced, the whales themselves cannot, and while storm protection from wetlands can be priced, the wetlands and their biodiversity cannot.
• Vulnerability to ocean climate impacts is highest in the poorest countries, with specific economic pressures identified in Africa and East Asia (fisheries shifts), Vietnam and Bangladesh (sea-level rise), and the Caribbean and Pacific island nations (tourism downturns).

APA

Noone, K., Sumaila, R., Diaz, R. J., Ackerman, F., & Stanton, E. A. (n.d.). Valuing the Ocean Environment. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-Preview-ValuingTheOceanEnvironment-EconomicPerspectives.pdf

Chicago

Noone, Kevin, Rashid Sumaila, Robert J Diaz, Frank Ackerman, and Elizabeth A. Stanton. Valuing the Ocean Environment. Stockholm Environment Institute, n.d. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-Preview-ValuingTheOceanEnvironment-EconomicPerspectives.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Noone |first1=Kevin |last2=Sumaila |first2=Rashid |last3=Diaz |first3=Robert J |last4=Ackerman |first4=Frank |last5=Stanton |first5=Elizabeth A. |title=Valuing the Ocean Environment |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |url=https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-Preview-ValuingTheOceanEnvironment-EconomicPerspectives.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{noonendvaluing, author = {Noone, Kevin and Sumaila, Rashid and Diaz, Robert J and Ackerman, Frank and Stanton, Elizabeth A.}, title = {{Valuing the Ocean Environment}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, url = {https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-Preview-ValuingTheOceanEnvironment-EconomicPerspectives.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }