Why does this matter? The ocean is the world’s largest carbon sink, absorbing 25% of human-caused CO2 emissions while generating 50% of global oxygen. Yet, rising sea temperatures, pollution and overfishing are threatening marine ecosystems at an alarming rate. The estimated value of key ocean assets in $24tn, with an annual economic output of $2.5tn which represents3-5% of global GDP.

A recent report by Standard Chartered estimates that sustainable aquaculture, blue carbon projects and ocean renewables have the potential to mitigate 40% of greenhouse gas emissions and could unlock $15tn in value, yet lack the catalytic investment needed to scale.

In the face of Trump’s dismissal of climate action, discussions at the Davos 2025 summit highlighted the importance of mobilising capital towards ocean solutions, a crucial opportunity for firms like Ocean 14 Capital, which specialise in funding regenerative marine ventures.

The Founding Partner of Ocean 14 Capital, Chris Gorell Barnes, attended Davos 2025 and moderated the Ocean High-Level Panel: Turning Commitments into Action. Key topics discussed at the panel were digital oceans, addressing the role technology has to play in accelerating ocean action.

Another notable ocean event at Davos 2025, was The Ocean Race which convened world leaders, business executives and policymakers to drive ocean conservation efforts. A high-level roundtable with John Kerry, Prince Albert II of Monaco and Volvo Cars CEO Jim Rowan highlighted marine biodiversity, Marine Protected Areas and the need to reduce marine pollution. The event reinforced the economic and climate resilience benefits of ocean investment.

Blue economy investment is accelerating. The ocean innovation sector has grown by 91% since 2019, with $1bn in early-stage private ocean funds raised in 2022 alone. The #BackBlue commitment has already mobilised $2.7bn in assets, with leading financial institutions aligning investment portfolios with sustainable marine projects.

Seaweed farming, regenerative aquaculture and ocean-based renewables have been highlighted as high-growth sectors, capable of driving both climate resilience and economic returns. Additionally, initiatives such as blue carbon credits and biodiversity-linked financing are creating new revenue streams for coastal communities and conservation projects.

Ocean investment still faces major hurdles despite progress. Overfishing subsidies and weak regulations continue to undermine conservation efforts. Blended finance and early-stage blue economy investments remain risky, particularly in developing regions where policy uncertainty deters institutional investors.

Sustainable aquaculture, while promising, faces disease outbreaks, pollution risks and market volatility, requiring significant de-risking mechanisms to attract long-term capital. Without stronger financial incentives and regulatory frameworks, the momentum from Davos may not translate into tangible change.

Ocean investment is no longer a niche concern, it is becoming increasingly central to the global sustainability agenda. The emergence of blue finance coalitions such as #BackBlue, blue bonds and scalable marine solutions signals a turning point in the way the financial sector approaches coastal and marine conservation. To close the gap between ambition and execution of ocean protection, the key tools are expanding public-private partnerships and aligning regulation to support impactful initiatives.

There are two major ocean protection events upcoming in 2025 – the Blue Economy Finance Forum (BEFF) – in Monaco in early June, and the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) – in Nice in mid-June. These events will be key platforms for negotiating ocean protection and helping secure capital for sustainable ocean ventures.