TOWARDS NATURE POSITIVE FOR THE OCEAN

The report outlines how the port sector can transition from causing ocean degradation to enabling regeneration using the AR3T (Avoid, Reduce, Restore and Regenerate, Transform) framework. It identifies key pressures ports exert on marine ecosystems—such as seabed disturbance, pollution, and invasive species—and provides specific, evidence-based actions across the port lifecycle, from siting and design to operations and decommissioning. The document emphasizes the importance of nature-inclusive design, ecosystem-based marine spatial planning, and the integration of natural capital into financial accounting to achieve a Sustainable Blue Economy.

• The global nature-positive goal is defined as the objective to "halt and reverse nature loss by 2030 on a 2020 baseline and achieve full recovery by 2050."
• The port sector is a critical interface between land and sea, and its area is projected to "more than double by 2050."
• The report utilizes the AR3T action framework, which consists of four steps: Avoid future impacts, Reduce unavoidable impacts, Restore and Regenerate ecosystems, and Transform broader social and economic systems.
• Significant financial risks are associated with ocean health decline, with an estimated "US$8.4 trillion of assets and revenues" in sectors including ports and shipping at risk globally through 2036 under a business-as-usual scenario.
• Port development exerts several primary pressures on nature, including seabed disturbance and coastal habitat disruption, pollution from vessels and operations, the introduction of invasive species, and wildlife disruption from noise and light.
• In the siting and planning phase, the report recommends avoiding development in "critical habitats," protected or conserved areas, and migratory pathways for endangered, threatened, and protected (ETP) species.
• Nature-inclusive design (NID) is recommended to reduce impacts, such as using "bioenhanced concrete" (e.g., ECOncrete) to support the colonization of native organisms on marine infrastructure.
• To reduce noise pollution during construction, the report suggests using "soft start" techniques, bubble curtains, or vibro-piling instead of impact hammering.
• Operational recommendations to reduce wildlife collisions and noise include implementing "just-in-time shipping" and establishing vessel slowdown zones in sensitive areas.
• Restoration opportunities for ports include the use of modular reef structures to provide coastal protection and habitat, and the reforestation of mangroves to attenuate waves and shelter vessels.
• Transformative internal actions for companies include mainstreaming nature into business strategies and adopting governance models like "Nature on the Board," which gives nature a representative voice in high-level decision-making.
• External transformative actions include advocating for the repurposing of "environmentally harmful subsidies (e.g., fossil fuels and fisheries)" to incentivize nature-friendly practices.

APA

Carrow, A. W., Burnett, S., Gregory, T., Freund, E., Breckon, A., Holmes, L., Newman, K., Hornett, D., Richardson, M., Lynch, L., Kroner, R. G., Howgate, E., Crowley, H., Batho, J., McGowan, J., Heaps, L., & Randone, M. (2026). TOWARDS NATURE POSITIVE FOR THE OCEAN. WWF International. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/2423/FINAL_WWF_Nature_Positive_Ocean_Pathways_Ports_Report_6.9.26.pdf

Chicago

Carrow, Alanna Waldman, Shay Burnett, Tremaine Gregory, Evan Freund, Amy Breckon, Lucy Holmes, Kate Newman, et al. TOWARDS NATURE POSITIVE FOR THE OCEAN. WWF International, 2026. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/2423/FINAL_WWF_Nature_Positive_Ocean_Pathways_Ports_Report_6.9.26.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Carrow |first1=Alanna Waldman |last2=Burnett |first2=Shay |last3=Gregory |first3=Tremaine |last4=Freund |first4=Evan |last5=Breckon |first5=Amy |last6=Holmes |first6=Lucy |last7=Newman |first7=Kate |last8=Hornett |first8=Daniel |last9=Richardson |first9=Mark |display-authors=etal |title=TOWARDS NATURE POSITIVE FOR THE OCEAN |publisher=WWF International |date=June 2026 |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/2423/FINAL_WWF_Nature_Positive_Ocean_Pathways_Ports_Report_6.9.26.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{carrow2026towards, author = {Carrow, Alanna Waldman and Burnett, Shay and Gregory, Tremaine and Freund, Evan and Breckon, Amy and Holmes, Lucy and Newman, Kate and Hornett, Daniel and Richardson, Mark and Lynch, Lauren and Kroner, Rachel Golden and Howgate, Emily and Crowley, Helen and Batho, Jamie and McGowan, Jen and Heaps, Louise and Randone, Mauro}, title = {{TOWARDS NATURE POSITIVE FOR THE OCEAN}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2026}, month = jun, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/2423/FINAL_WWF_Nature_Positive_Ocean_Pathways_Ports_Report_6.9.26.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }