Interim Analysis of Ocean Based Climate Actions Communicated in New and Updated NDCs and NBSAPs

Authors:

Eliza Northrop, Bram Burger, Emily Belonje

Summary

Ocean-based climate action plays a vital role in achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement, offering meaningful opportunities for countries to enhance their climate ambition while supporting coastal communities and marine ecosystems.

This paper analyses ocean-based climate actions included in the most recent round of new and updated _nationally determined contributions (NDCs)–_communicated under the Paris Agreement. It also includes new and updated national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs) communicated under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

This is an interim report of the findings so far, and will be updated before COP30. Currently, the paper has assessed 28 NDCs communicated between 1 January 2024 to 21 May 2025. The analysis found that 20 countries included at least one ocean-based action, with a total of 131 distinct actions identified across all NDCs analysed. These actions were then split according to whether they tackled Adaptation or Mitigation measures, and categorised along 9 different subsections of actions. 

Of the 20 countries that had communicated an NDC with an ocean-based action, five had also communicated an NBSAP. This paper then assessed the relationship between actions communicated in the NDCs and NBSAPs and vice versa. The analysis presents whether the actions under the two complementary regimes were reinforcing, enabling, or constraining. A key finding were that 74% of the synergies identified were reinforcing or enabling, highlighting the opportunity for cohesive policy and action.

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