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This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics, in partnership with the Global Offshore Wind Alliance and Ocean Conservancy, examines the potential for offshore wind and marine energy in Africa. It highlights that the continent's 30,500-kilometre coastline could support 6,750 GW of offshore wind, which could significantly exceed current power generation capacity and provide substantial economic and environmental benefits if scaled.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines the funding landscape of the global ocean economy, noting that while public investment has increased over the last decade, it remains significantly below the estimated USD 550 billion needed annually by 2030. The report highlights a heavy reliance on official development assistance (ODA), which is currently facing cuts from major donors, and emphasizes the economic and climate benefits of closing the sustainable ocean funding gap.

This policy brief proposes a trade-aware Just Transition framework for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to manage the shift toward low-carbon, climate-resilient development. It argues that for the Caribbean, the transition is a structural regional transformation rather than a sector-specific phase-out of fossil fuels. The document outlines six guiding principles—social justice, effective governance, inclusive participation, economic resilience, alignment with climate goals, and green financing—and applies them to both at-risk sectors (energy, tourism, agriculture, forestry, transport) and growth sectors (blue economy, circular economy, orange economy).

This case study describes a 2024 project implemented by Burhani Solar under the Go Blue Programme to provide off-grid solar energy, water purification, and cold chain infrastructure to Beach Management Units (BMUs) along the coast of Kenya.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute outlines four critical priorities for the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) taking place in Nice, France, from June 9th-13th, 2025. The document emphasizes the need to scale up funding for Sustainable Development Goal 14, integrate ocean-based solutions into national climate strategies ahead of COP30, accelerate the ratification of the High Seas Treaty, and promote 100% sustainable ocean management through Sustainable Ocean Plans.

This briefing examines the requirements for establishing a sustainable ocean economy (SOE) in African Small Island Developing States (SIDS), arguing that while legal frameworks are important, they are insufficient on their own to attract investment. Based on interviews and surveys, the document identifies a combination of political will, institutional arrangements, and trusted partnerships as the primary determinants for funding and investment in the regenerative blue economy.

The Oceans, Islands and Coastal Regions Committee of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) issued a statement during its 33rd Conference of the Parties in Asunción, Paraguay, in May 2025. The document outlines the IAI's commitment to developing a regional transdisciplinary research and training program aligned with the UN Ocean Decade, promoting the 'One Blue Health' approach, and advocating for innovative financing mechanisms for ocean science in Latin America and the Caribbean.

This policy briefing examines the development of sustainable ocean economies (SOE) in African Small Island Developing States (SIDS), identifying the drivers of investment and the regulatory and institutional frameworks necessary to transition toward climate-resilient, regenerative blue economies.

This research paper proposes a comprehensive trade and sustainable development agenda for the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) within the multilateral trading system. It outlines a five-part plan to leverage the World Trade Organization (WTO) for green industrialization and suggests adopting partnership models, such as those used by the EU, to reduce commodity dependence and enhance renewable energy production.

This briefing by the African Food Systems Transformation Collective examines the challenges and opportunities within Africa's fisheries and aquaculture sectors, focusing on Kenya, Uganda, and Nigeria. It highlights the 'triple burden of malnutrition' and the sector's low global production contribution (6%), which leads to a US$6 billion annual import reliance. The document advocates for agroecological, climate-resilient, and nutrition-sensitive approaches, emphasizing the role of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in reducing import dependency and fostering regional trade. It identifies critical bottlenecks such as post-harvest losses (up to 30%), gender disparities, and environmental degradation, while proposing technological solutions like solar-powered cold chains and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS).

This policy brief argues that Africa's maritime transport and ports sector requires a dual strategy of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building climate resilience to protect its blue economy. It highlights the risks posed by sea level rise and extreme weather, the impact of new global carbon levies, and the need for a modernized continental governance framework to coordinate the transition to green logistics hubs.

This report, prepared for the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group, analyzes 12 case studies of blended finance instruments designed to overcome barriers to investment in Nature-based Solutions (NbS). It explores how a combination of concessional capital, technical assistance, and risk-mitigation tools like guarantees can mobilize private investment across sectors including restoration, conservation, bioeconomy, agroforestry, and ocean/water management.

This policy brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute outlines ten emerging trends and geopolitical developments that are increasing the global importance of ocean governance, finance, and security.

The February 2024 Peace & Security Council Report evaluates the outcomes of the 37th African Union (AU) summit, the performance of Comoros as AU chair, and the AU's response to crises in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It also examines the decline of electoral norms across the continent and the necessity of protecting civilians in urban warfare.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the integration of the ocean-climate nexus within the UNFCCC process, evaluating progress from the 'Ocean Super Year' of 2022 through COP27 and looking toward COP28. It emphasizes the need for African stakeholders to shift the global dialogue from negotiation to concrete implementation, leveraging regional initiatives and policy frameworks to drive ambitious ocean-climate action.

This case study examines the impact of climate change on the fishing village of Laborie, Saint Lucia, highlighting how rising sea levels, ocean warming, and extreme weather events threaten the local blue economy and the livelihoods of fisherfolk.

This research paper examines the integration of marine and coastal ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) within the climate policies and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of 10 SADC member states. It identifies a systemic gap where terrestrial concerns often overshadow marine issues, leading to a disconnect between high-level global pledges and local implementation. The author analyzes national case studies, identifies significant hurdles—including capacity gaps, siloed governance, and financing shortages—and provides recommendations for strengthening the 'seascape' approach to climate resilience in Southern Africa.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes the blue finance landscape in Indonesia between 2015 and 2019, focusing on the sources, instruments, and recipients of funding for the blue economy. It highlights the dominance of public international finance and commercial banks, while detailing the significant barriers faced by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the fisheries sector, including collateral requirements and geographic disparities in loan distribution.

The COP27 Resilience Hub Synthesis Report outlines the outcomes and key messages from the Resilience Hub at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh. The Hub serves as a physical and virtual space to mobilise ambition and investment for climate resilience, acting as the home for the UN-backed Race to Resilience campaign. The report synthesises findings across nine thematic areas and four regional hubs, emphasizing the need for locally-led adaptation, increased and diversified finance, and the integration of arts and culture into resilience strategies.

This workshop report, produced by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) on 9 March 2022, examines the policy gaps between maritime and gender frameworks in Africa. It highlights the need for intersectional approaches to gender equality and notes that many regional maritime strategies remain 'gender-blind', often failing to integrate gender considerations into security and governance frameworks.