Happy International Biodiversity Day, celebrating harmony with nature and sustainable development! Great to be at the National Oceanography Centre’s Parliamentary reception (sponsored by Barry Gardiner MP) last night, highlighting the importance of research for ocean health, biodiversity and prosperity.

🌊 The ocean covers more than 70% of the Earth’s surface and contains a huge amount of biodiversity. It’s home to an estimated 250,000 known species, and many more unidentified ones (it is estimated to contain 2.2 million species overall). Marine ecosystems provide essential services such as food, oxygen, climate regulation and nutrient cycling, supporting all life on Earth. Ocean health underpins economic and financial health.

💙 As David Attenborough’s Ocean documentary highlights, marine life has a remarkable ability to regenerate when properly managed and protected. Redirecting financial flows from ocean destruction to ocean-positive activities is one of the biggest challenges of our time.

🤝 Partnerships between industry, researchers, financial institutions, philanthropy and policymakers will be crucial for ocean health, biodiversity and prosperity. Thank you National Oceanography Centre for inviting me and highlighting some of your great work in areas such as ocean monitoring and observation, industrial impact, pollution, seafloor ecosystems and seabed resources, subsea cables, and digital transformation. Great to see many ocean friends there and make new ones.

💡 Through their lending, underwriting and investment activities, as well as their client relationships, financial institutions have a major impact on ocean health, biodiversity and prosperity. The Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Initiative at the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) works in partnership with the financial community, scientists and experts in the field on practical guidance, workshops, webinars and toolkits to bring a sustainable blue lens to financial decision-making. Learn more here.