EU Pledges €300M for Ocean Protection Amid Record Heatwaves and Rising Seas
The EU has pledged over 300 million euros for marine protection at the 2025 Our Ocean Conference in Busan, as climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss threaten every part of the ocean. Recent years have seen alarming trends, including record-breaking marine heatwaves and sea level rise, which pose significant risks to coastal communities and ecosystems.
In 2023 and 2024, marine heatwaves exceeded previous records by over 0.25°C, with a record temperature of 21°C reached in spring 2024. This warming trend has led to the spread of invasive species like Atlantic Blue Crabs and Bearded Fireworms, which thrive in warmer waters. The EU is responding by bolstering its Copernicus system to monitor ocean health and protect biodiversity.
Sea levels have risen by 228 millimetres between 1901 and 2024, putting coastal communities and UNESCO World Heritage Sites at risk. The Copernicus report highlights how ocean changes impact ecosystems, food security, economies, and global climate regulation. In the Arctic, sea ice has been declining rapidly, with four consecutive all-time lows recorded between December 2024 and March 2025, losing an area nearly twice the size of Portugal.
The EU's commitment to protecting the ocean is crucial as climate change continues to impact marine ecosystems. With rising temperatures, invasive species, and sea level rise, international cooperation and robust monitoring systems are essential to safeguard the ocean's future and the communities that depend on it.
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