A joint initiative by Economist Impact and The Nippon Foundation, with contributions from GDFA a.o.
This discussion paper explores how business and finance can accelerate the transition to a pollution-free ocean by 2050. Building on Back to Blue’s global roadmap and supported by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and UNEP, the report highlights the critical data and action gaps preventing ocean health from being fully integrated into economic and financial decision-making.
The study reveals that ocean pollution—ranging from plastics to chemicals and heavy metals—poses escalating risks to ecosystems, industries, and investors, yet remains largely overlooked in sustainability strategies. It calls for collaboration across science, finance, and policy to embed ocean pollution metrics into corporate and financial reporting, improve data quality and accessibility, and channel investment toward ocean-positive innovation.
GDFA’s participation supports efforts to connect digital finance innovation with measurable ocean impact, helping mobilize capital for a healthy, pollution-free blue economy.
