• The Sustainable Ocean Principles provide a framework for responsible business practices across ocean sectors and geographies, serving as a common reference point on ocean sustainability.

• They build upon and supplement the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact to cover the following three areas; ocean health and productivity, governance and engagement, and data and transparency. 

• Endorsing the Sustainable Ocean Principles is an aspirational pledge undertaken by companies of all sizes, sectors and levels of ocean stewardship maturity.

• All companies are welcome, as long as they commit to taking action to promote the well-being of the ocean for current and future generations.

• By endorsing the principles, companies demonstrate their commitment to ocean sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals to the market, investors, customers, employees, and other key stakeholders. 

• Over 75 companies, representing leaders in ocean industries as well the financial sector, have already endorsed the principles, committing to a principles-based approach to sustainable ocean business. 

Practical Guidances: Operationalizing the Sustainable Ocean Principles 

• All too often, businesses are provided with principles, targets and goals for sustainability, without receiving the concrete, actionable tools to realize them. 

• The Practical Guidances complement and operationalize the Sustainable Ocean Principles, helping companies implement sustainable ocean business practices. 

• From Aquaculture and Oil and Gas, to Ocean Renewable Energy, Seaweed and Fisheries, the guidances cover a broad range of ocean-related business sectors and regulatory frameworks. 

• Each principle is accompanied by a number of relevant actions, tools and business standards that can be applied to realize sustainable ocean business. 

• The guidances are developed by multi-stakeholder groups of leading business experts, academia, NGOs, UN organizations and policymakers. 

• As the market continues to demand clear and measurable ESG standards, the guidances can provide the market with a tool to evaluate sustainable investments.