Martin Koehring - Global Sustainability and Ocean Expert | Charity Board Member | TEDx Speaker | I help create multi-stakeholder partnerships & impactful research on 🌏 Climate 🌏 Nature 🌏 Blue Economy

TRT World interview on UN high seas treaty

The high seas account for half of the Earth’s surface, or two thirds of the planet’s total ocean area. They hold incredible biodiversity—around 2 million unidentified species—and provide essential ecosystem services, such as seafood, genetic resources, air purification, climate regulation and waste treatment. More than 70 countries want to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030. Yet only around 1.2% of the high seas are currently protected. Unfortunately, diplomats meeting at the UN in New York have failed (at their fifth attempt) to agree on a high seas treaty.

In this interview for TRT World I explain why having a global ocean treaty is so significant.

More on the ocean economy:

How to take action against ocean pollution from wastewater and sewageApril 8, 2024
How to invest better in the blue economyMarch 26, 2024
Moderating 6 sessions at the World Ocean Summit in LisbonMarch 8, 2024
How could ocean innovation accelerate sustainable development by 2030?January 10, 2024
Diagnosing the aquaculture systemNovember 8, 2023

I’m a global ocean, climate and sustainability expert with 20+ years of experience, including progressively more strategic and leadership responsibilities. My most recent roles include Global Director of Impact at the international sustainability non-profit Forum for the Future, Board Member at the New Economics Foundation (a think tank focusing on social, economic and environmental justice), Head of the World Ocean Initiative and Practice Lead (EMEA) for Sustainability, Climate Change and Natural Resources at Economist Impact (part of The Economist Group). My previous roles at The Economist Group include managing editor, global health lead and Europe editor at The Economist Intelligence Unit. I love to work with organisations that build a just, resilient and regenerative future for people and planet.

Over the years I have directed many sustainability-related research and thought-leadership projects with partners in business, government, academia and civil society, in areas such as food sustainability, a just energy transition and the role of business in society. I was also the editorial lead of the award-winning Sustainability Project.

As part of my wider engagement on sustainability, I am a trustee of the New Economics Foundation (a think tank focusing on social, economic and environmental justice). I sit on the Thomson Reuters Foundation’s Inclusive Economies Advisory Group and the Sustainable Brands Turkey Global Advisory Board. I have also been a member of the Advisory Committee for the UN Environment Programme’s Global Environment Outlook for Business, a senior rapporteur at World Water Week, a faculty member in the Food & Sustainability Certificate Program provided by the European Institute of Innovation for Sustainability and a judge at the Reuters Events Responsible Business Awards.

Martin Koehring - Global Sustainability and Ocean Expert | Charity Board Member | TEDx Speaker | I help create multi-stakeholder partnerships & impactful research on 🌏 Climate 🌏 Nature 🌏 Blue Economy

Martin’s TEDx talk about the power of mindset shifts

TRT World interview on UN high seas treaty

More on the ocean economy:

External links disclaimer