Global Call for End to Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration at UN Ocean Conference

More than 100 civil society organizations from around the world are urging governments to impose an immediate ban on further offshore oil and gas exploration. This coalition of 111 environmental organizations, spanning six continents, has released an open letter ahead of the upcoming UN Ocean Conference.

The initiative, spearheaded by the international marine conservation organization OceanCare, seeks to align governmental actions with the goals of the Paris Agreement, advocating for a transition away from fossil fuels and the protection of ocean ecosystems. The conference, scheduled for June 2025 in Nice, France, is seen as a critical opportunity to establish essential protective measures for resilient and healthy marine ecosystems that are vital for climate action.

The open letter calls for the inclusion of a commitment in the closing declaration of the Third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) to halt the search for new oil and gas reserves on the ocean floor and to gradually phase out existing offshore fossil fuel production. This conference presents a pivotal moment to advance both marine conservation and climate protection initiatives.

According to OceanCare's Director of International Cooperation, the immediate termination of destructive oil and gas exploration in marine environments is crucial for ocean protection. Such activities contribute significantly to noise pollution in our oceans, adversely affecting marine life from the smallest plankton to the largest whales. The oceans have already absorbed 90% of the excess heat from carbon emissions, leading to rising sea levels, melting ice, and increasingly severe marine heatwaves. Continuing to exploit these ecosystems, which play a critical role in mitigating the worst impacts of climate change, is not sustainable.

The call for action emphasizes the need for coherence between climate and marine policies. Addressing the climate emergency necessitates the protection of ocean environments, and safeguarding marine ecosystems requires the cessation of oil and gas exploration and production.

This coalition, which includes marine conservation groups, climate justice organizations, and environmental NGOs from both the Global North and South, underscores that the ongoing search for new fossil fuel resources is incompatible with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the protection of marine ecosystems. The letter highlights the continued investment of billions of dollars in offshore oil and gas exploration, even in protected areas, despite scientific evidence advocating for the cessation of new fossil fuel development.

Seismic surveys conducted in the search for new resources are noted as among the loudest human-made noises in the ocean, causing extensive harm to marine fauna and disrupting entire food webs. The vulnerability of European seas to climate impacts and direct damage from oil and gas exploration is particularly emphasized. European governments are thus seen as having a unique responsibility to lead on this issue.

Some countries, such as France, Spain, and Portugal, have already banned the exploration of new oil and gas reserves in their waters, while others like Denmark are taking significant steps to limit such activities. It is now imperative for this approach to be adopted and enforced globally, in alignment with the international commitment made at COP28 to phase out fossil fuels.

The joint call from civil society is part of broader efforts to ensure that UNOC3 becomes a turning point for marine and climate protection. The conference aims to accelerate the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water) and offers a vital platform for governments to commit to concrete actions addressing the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

In conclusion, the initiative led by OceanCare, titled "Because Our Planet Is Blue," outlines six specific measures for ocean protection, with the foremost demand being a ban on offshore oil and gas exploration and a gradual cessation of existing fossil fuel production.