Introduction

Ocean pollution poses environmental, health and economic risks, with land-based sources such as agriculture, industry, and urban wastewater contributing over 80% of pollutants. These include plastics, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals and persistent chemicals. Despite the ocean’s role in climate regulation and biodiversity, pollution remains under-addressed in corporate strategies, particularly outside traditional ‘ocean’ sectors. Ocean pollution-related risks are not widely recognised in land-based industries’ financial planning.

Ocean pollution: An emerging financial consideration

Businesses and investors increasingly acknowledge nature-related risks, with frameworks like the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) influencing this shift. However, ocean data remain scarce and less integrated into financial risk analysis than terrestrial or freshwater ecosystems. As understanding grows, so does the expectation for companies to manage these dependencies.

The business and financial risks of ocean pollution

Ocean pollution creates physical, transition and systemic risks. For example, fisheries and tourism are affected directly, while companies like DuPont and 3M faced legal action and settlements totalling nearly US$11bn for chemical contamination. Southern Water in the UK was fined £90m for discharging untreated sewage. As pollution monitoring improves, more legal and financial repercussions are expected. Companies failing to manage these risks may face reputational damage and reduced investor confidence.

A new wave of commercial opportunities

Opportunities arise in green chemistry, sustainable materials and wastewater management. Nature-based solutions, such as wetland and mangrove regeneration, and technological advances in remote sensing and AI can support pollution reduction and impact tracking. Improving ocean health may unlock investment in low-impact business models and create new economic value.

Barriers to integrating ocean pollution into financial and commercial decision-making

Two main barriers are a siloed approach and lack of actionable data. Most businesses do not consider the ocean in sustainability reporting, particularly land-based industries. Scientific data often lack the granularity and standardisation needed for financial decision-making. Legal and commercial-use restrictions also limit data usability. The absence of standardised, reliable data makes it difficult to build a business case for change or investment in pollution reduction.

Growing momentum to address the private sector’s impact on the ocean

Several initiatives now aim to integrate ocean considerations into finance and business. These include the TNFD, Science Based Targets Network, CDP, the UN Global Compact’s Ocean Stewardship Coalition, and the World Benchmarking Alliance. Most current efforts focus on ‘blue’ sectors like seafood and shipping, but the scope is expanding. Pollution-focused initiatives such as UNEP FI’s pollution guidance and ChemSec’s hazardous chemical assessments provide additional tools for businesses and investors.

‘Fit for purpose’: Rethinking ocean pollution data for financial decision-making

To be useful, ocean pollution data must be simple, standardised, and comparable. It should link impacts to specific activities, support investment analysis and meet science and business needs. The report highlights the need for clear metrics and disclosure frameworks tailored to ocean ecosystems. Collaboration is essential to bridge scientific and commercial data needs.

Achieving the roadmap’s vision

The roadmap aims to close data gaps, support pollution mitigation, engage stakeholders, and attract investment. Milestones are set for 2030, 2040 and 2050. A global task force will oversee implementation, with working groups in science, policy, data, and business. The business and finance group will issue guidance, facilitate innovation, and integrate ocean health into ESG frameworks and investment strategies.