Why we need intact seas, coasts and moors

Marine and coastal ecosystems around the world are under pressure. This is endangering biodiversity and weakening its protection against climate change, hunger and poverty. Preserving these systems will secure the livelihoods of a third of the world’s population.

Oceans at risk
‘Blue’ value creation
Investments for a sustainable ocean economy

Coral reefs, mangrove forests, seagrass meadows and other marine and coastal ecosystems are habitats for countless species and act as carbon sinks that contribute significantly to climate regulation. They provide food, raw materials and incomes, protect coasts against storms and flooding, and offer space for recreation.

Ocean in figures

The ocean binds 30 per cent of annual human CO₂ emissions.
The ocean absorbs 90 per cent of the heat energy caused by climate change.
Marine ecosystems generate USD 30-33 trillion every year. They are essential to the life of vast numbers of people, particularly on the coasts of our partner countries.
Worldwide, some 200 million people earn their living from fisheries, primarily small-scale fishing
10 per cent of the world’s population depends on fishing for their livelihoods.

In addition, coastal tourism is an important source of income for many countries, and this relies on healthy ecosystems.

Oceans at risk

These diverse ecosystem services, which are an essential basis for livelihoods, are at risk. We support our partners in

Protecting their coastal and marine ecosystems and ecosystem services
Managing them sustainably
Improving the living conditions of the coastal population.

We promote protected areas and nature conservation measures for specific areas on the coasts and at sea. We thus support implementation of the UN High Seas Treaty (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction).

Ecosystems under pressure

Only 3 per cent of the ocean is considered untouched.
More than a third of global fish stocks are overfished.
Almost two thirds of coral reefs are at risk of disappearing.
Almost a third of the world’s mangroves and seagrass meadows have already been destroyed.
Only around 8 per cent of the ocean is a designated protected area, and this protection is often only on paper.
Every year, around 11 million tonnes of plastic waste ends up in the sea.

Climate change is driving up the sea surface temperature, causing global changes to the living conditions of marine species, and is an enormous threat to their survival (coral, for example).

‘Blue’ value creation

Our goal is a sustainable and inclusive ’blue economy’. This requires:

Sustainable economic development of seas and coasts
Livelihoods for the population
Protection of biodiversity
The rights and participation of indigenous peoples and local communities

We consider important synergies and interfaces with other areas, including:

The circular economy
Forestry
Agriculture
Coastal protection
Climate change adaptation

We focus on building the capacities of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises for sustainable, ‘blue’ value chains. This includes boosting the administrative and commercial skills of the coastal population, promoting market access for sustainably produced marine products, and working with state institutions, the finance sector and the private sector to strengthen financing options for sustainable forms of use.

Investments for a sustainable ocean economy

We regard ‘blue finance’ as funding and investments that promote a sustainable ocean economy and nature conservation in areas such as

Fisheries
Aquaculture
Marine protection
Renewable energy
Coastal infrastructure
Tourism
Marine technology

In our partner countries, we work with specialists from the finance sector, the private sector and nature conservation to develop innovative financing mechanisms. They drive sustainable business practices and also add value through nature conservation. Local communities in coastal regions must benefit more from the protection and sustainable use of their marine and coastal ecosystems and must be involved in measures.

We want to achieve a shift away from quick profits that destroy and overexploit natural resources towards sustainable economic development for people and their rights in our partner countries.

Biodiversity

How can partner countries continue to develop, meet their needs and at the same time preserve their natural habitats – in other words, secure the foundation for their long-term prosperity? We support them in protecting nature, using it sustainably and restoring degraded ecosystems.