國際海洋資訊

Ocean Health is Human Health

The ocean plays a critical role in sustaining life on Earth. It produces more than half of the oxygen we breathe, regulates the global climate, and absorbs a significant share of the planet's carbon dioxide and excess heat. It is also a major food source for over 3 billion people, supports natural coastal defenses like coral reefs and mangroves, and holds immense cultural, spiritual, and medicinal value. As the global population rises and ecological pressures mount, maintaining ocean health is not merely an environmental issue—it is a human imperative. The COVID-19 pandemic was a stark reminder of how fragile global well-being can be—and how deeply human health is intertwined with the health of the planet. Scientific evidence has long warned that biodiversity loss and environmental degradation increase the risk of pandemics. In a similar way, the ongoing decline in ocean health poses a growing threat to our collective future.

Equally important are the ocean's economic contributions. According to OCED's estimate at year 2016, the ocean economy is valued at over USD 1.5 trillion and provides livelihoods for hundreds of millions, especially in developing nations. Women are central to this workforce, making up the majority in seafood processing and trade (OECD, 2016). Moreover, the ocean's vast, largely unexplored biodiversity holds immense promise for breakthroughs in medicine and technology. Yet, these benefits are not guaranteed. Safeguarding them demands urgent, coordinated action. A healthy ocean underpins a healthy planet—and must be prioritized with the same urgency and global commitment shown in response to public health emergencies.

Figure 1. Amami Ōshima, Japan, with Potential for Tourism and Blue Carbon Storage

(Left: Estimation of seagrass blue carbon stock using underwater and aerial drones / Right: Aerial drone image of a humpback whale mother and calf along the coast)

Photo credit: Michael C. Huang

The Ecosystem of Ocean Investment

Ocean‑impact investment—often called Blue Impact Finance—occupies the middle ground between mainstream ESG investing and traditional philanthropy. Like philanthropy, it is driven by the desire to generate measurable environmental and social benefits; like ESG, it expects financial discipline and market‑rate returns. The difference lies in its focus and risk appetite: whereas ESG investing concentrates on avoiding harm through screening and risk mitigation, Blue Impact Finance intentionally channels capital into solutions that tackle systemic ocean challenges—restoring ecosystems,  decarbonizing maritime industries, and strengthening coastal economies. At the same time, it differs from philanthropy by seeking positive financial outcomes, accepting higher risk but not treating capital loss as inevitable. A robust ocean‑investment ecosystem is therefore essential to mobilize capital at scale for innovations that deliver both impact and profit.

As ocean‑focused start‑ups proliferate, investors and financial institutions increasingly demand clear, comparable data on how their capital affects ocean health. Existing guidance—such as UNEP's Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Principles (United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative, 2018) and the frameworks of World Bank's Blue Finance Guidance—has established a foundation for large development projects, yet a gap remains for community‑based, scientific‑led ventures (Huang, Juang, & Jin, 2025). To close this gap, the Ocean Impact Navigator (OIN) was developed by the 1000 Ocean Startups coalition (1000 Ocean Startups, 2022, June). OIN is the first science‑based, harmonized toolkit covering the entire Ocean Impact Innovation ecosystem: investors, research institutions, and startups.1 By standardizing impact metrics, it gives stakeholders the transparency they need to allocate resources confidently, unlock new capital flows, and accelerate the transition to a truly sustainable ocean economy.

Measuring Ocean Impact with the Ocean Impact Navigator (OIN)

OIN is a science-based, comprehensive framework designed to meet the growing need for consistent and credible measurement of impact in the ocean innovation space. Developed for startups, venture capital firms, and financial institutions, OIN brings together multiple global standards—including the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), IRIS+2, IFC, and GRI (Global Reporting Initiative)—into a unified tool featuring 34 actionable KPIs across six core impact areas. First introduced at the 2022 United Nations Ocean Conference, OIN has since been adopted internationally as a benchmark for measuring real progress toward a sustainable ocean economy. The six impact areas of OIN are as follows:

Figure 2. Kelp Aquaculture in Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan, with Value for Food Production and Increasing Blue Carbon Stock

Photo credit: Michael C. Huang

Figure 3. Oyster Farming in Toyama Prefecture, Japan, Using Deep Seawater for Safe and High-Value Seafood Production

Photo credit: Michael C. Huang

A. Sustainably Managed Ocean Resources

Measures biomass restoration, seafood waste reduction, marine life welfare, and sustainable production of seaweed and bivalves.

B. A Clean Ocean

Assesses efforts to reduce plastic pollution, chemical and nutrient runoff, invasive species, and airborne emissions like NOx, SOx, and particulates.

C. Thriving and Restored Marine Habitats

Focuses on the protection and restoration of vital ecosystems, including coral reefs, mangroves, seagrasses, salt marshes, kelp forests, and others.

D. Towards 1.5°C

Captures contributions to climate mitigation through reduced or avoided GHG emissions and carbon sequestration.

E. Climate-Resilient Coastal Communities

Tracks coastline protection, use of ocean data for adaptation, and the number of people supported in climate resilience efforts.

F. Positive Socio-Economic Outcomes

Includes job creation, education and training, gender and diversity inclusion, fair wages, food security, and economic opportunities in coastal communities.

OIN helps investors and intermediaries move beyond superficial metrics and identify interventions that truly improve ocean health and coastal well-being. Many existing KPIs either incentivize harmful practices or focus on business performance disconnected from environmental outcomes. OIN fills this gap by enabling multidimensional impact reporting (World Economic Forum, 2022), guiding investors through more rigorous due diligence and helping to focus resources on high-impact, scalable innovations.

In addition to supporting individual organizations, OIN serves as a shared framework for the broader ocean innovation ecosystem. Its standardized metrics enable performance aggregation, foster transparent impact communication, and support the development of credible, evidence-based transformation narratives. These insights are vital for attracting both public and private investment and for enhancing ecosystem-wide coordination by highlighting strengths, gaps, and areas of strategic alignment. In doing so, OIN helps to catalyze a truly inclusive and sustainable blue economy.

Figure 4. Ecotourism in Palau with Small Groups (Under 10 People) to Reduce Environmental Pressure (Left: Local guide introducing local beliefs and traditional sites / Right: Ecotourism lunch fostering interaction with local residents, with locally sourced food and utensils)

Photo credit: Michael C. Huang

Figure 5. Ocean Impact Navigation (OIN) – International and Japan Versions for Seafood

Photo credit: Michael C. Huang

Enabling Shared Progress across the Ecosystem

While various ocean-related indicators—including those aligned with the SDGs—existed prior to the development of the Ocean Impact Navigator (OIN), they were often fragmented, sector-specific, and inconsistent in scope. In response, the World Economic Forum (WEF) initiated the creation of OIN, convening a broad coalition of stakeholders with a shared commitment to ocean sustainability. This collaborative effort, informed by external experts and rigorous review, resulted in a unified, science-based framework designed to streamline and standardize impact measurement across the ocean innovation ecosystem.

OIN supports more effective impact due diligence, reduces the reporting burden on startups and investors, enables consistent portfolio-level reporting, and informs ecosystem-wide strategic decision-making. For startups in particular—often operating with limited resources—the complexity and duplication of reporting frameworks pose a serious barrier. OIN addresses this by offering a coherent structure that allows these organizations to focus on delivering high-impact solutions rather than navigating redundant reporting requirements. However, for OIN to realize its full value, it must be integrated into broader impact strategies, governance systems, and ESG disclosure practices. Rather than functioning as a standalone tool, OIN should be embedded as a foundational component of a holistic impact infrastructure.

Adaptability and Localization Toward a Broader Socioeconomic Perspective

Achieving a sustainable blue economy requires innovations that are rooted in local culture, values, and regional realities. Impact evaluation frameworks must therefore be adaptable to national and cultural contexts. The Ocean Impact Navigator (OIN) was designed with this flexibility in mind, making it highly conducive to localization efforts. In this spirit, the Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI), as a knowledge partner of the 1000 Ocean Startups coalition, collaborated with the Social Innovation and Investment Foundation (SIIF) to develop OIN Japan—the first localized version of the framework. Released in March 2025, OIN Japan is more than a direct translation; it is a contextual adaptation that reflects the unique social, environmental, and economic characteristics of Japan's ocean sectors (Ocean Policy Research Institute, 2025, March 6). Additional language versions, including French, Spanish, and Mandarin, are in development to support broader global adoption and enable more community-based, research-validated approaches to ocean impact assessment.

By evaluating Japan's ocean-linked industries and initiatives through OIN, innovative and sustainable practices can gain the visibility and credibility needed to attract investment. As international interest in Japan's ocean economy grows, applying a globally  recognized yet locally tailored framework is both timely and strategic. Ideally, this movement will catalyze the expansion of blue impact finance not only within Japan, but across the wider Asia-Pacific region and beyond. However, for OIN to remain relevant and robust, it must continue evolving to include socioeconomic dimensions and community perspectives, which are currently underrepresented. One notable gap is the absence of indicators that capture food culture and heritage, which are central to ocean-linked livelihoods and local identity.

Examples illustrate how these dimensions differ across regions. In parts of Europe, oysters are cultivated to demonstrate environmental benefits through water purification. In Japan, however, efforts focus more on social impact—for instance, the use of deepsea water for inland Atlantic salmon aquaculture, highlighted by Maruha Nichiro's blue bond issuance in 2022, or initiatives that use deep-sea water to grow safe oysters that promote food education and elevate the value of aquaculture. In addition to evaluating ocean startups, OIN holds potential for assessing the impact of nonprofit and cooperative initiatives. A standout case is "Kaachan no Mise" (Mother's Store) in Ibaraki Prefecture, a community-run restaurant and market led by women from the local fisheries cooperative. This initiative not only strengthens local economies but also promotes gender equality by expanding women's roles in business and decision-making within the fisheries sector.

Looking ahead, it is essential to develop evaluation frameworks that reflect a broader range of cultural, economic, and social factors—including culinary traditions, coastal heritage, employment dynamics, and ecotourism. These elements add critical depth and high-value differentiation to local impact strategies. In support of this, OPRI has launched the "Blue Impact Finance Initiative (BIFI)" website to showcase leading ocean startups evaluated through OIN (Ocean Policy Research Institute, 2025, September). As we continue refining OIN Japan, our goal is to ensure the framework captures the full richness of Japan's fisheries, cultural practices, and societal challenges, while also offering a scalable model for other countries across the Asia-Pacific region.

Future Perspective: Enriching the Ocean Investment Ecosystem Through Blended Finance

The development of the Ocean Impact Navigator (OIN) has significantly empowered ocean-focused startups by providing a credible framework for measuring both environmental and socio-economic impact through a combination of quantitative and qualitative indicators. This has encouraged not only startups but also cooperatives and non-profit organizations to engage in voluntary impact reporting, enhancing their visibility and appeal to international organizations, investors, and the broader public. The 1000 Ocean Startups Coalition plays a critical role in this process, serving as a hub for knowledge exchange and a bridge between ocean innovators and financial institutions.

Given that over 70% of the Earth is covered by ocean—and much of it remains  unexplored—the scope for innovation in ocean sustainability, livelihoods, and climate resilience is vast. Many promising ideas and practices are still emerging, and tools like OIN are key to validating and scaling these solutions. To truly enrich and sustain the ocean investment ecosystem, it is vital to go beyond traditional sources of capital. Alongside venture capital and impact investors, official development cooperation agencies and philanthropic funds must be engaged to create a blended finance model. This approach enables risk sharing, resource pooling, and the acceleration of high-impact investment at scale. By aligning diverse financial actors under a shared commitment to measurable impact, we can build a robust and resilient blue economy—and collectively restore the health and promise of our ocean.

Reference

[1] United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative. (2018). The principles for sustainable blue finance. https://www.unep.org/blue-finance/the-principles/

[2] Huang, J., Juang, M., & Jin, Y. (2025). Innovative social practice and community-based approach to the ocean: Implications for blue impact finance. Springer Nature. https://link.springer.com/book/9789819691036

[3] 1000 Ocean Startups. (2022, June). Ocean Impact Navigator. https://www.1000oceanstartups.org/navigator

[4] World Economic Forum. (2022). Ocean impact navigator digital tools. World Economic Forum. https://uplink.weforum.org/uplink/s/ocean-impact-navigator/

[5] Ocean Policy Research Institute. (2025, March 6). 日本でのOIN 記者発表（Japan Press Release）.https://www.spf.org/opri/news/20250306.html

[6] Ocean Policy Research Institute. (2025, September). Blue Impact Finance Initiative (BIFI). https://www.spf.org/opri/projects/2025-09_bifi.html

[7] OECD (2016), The Ocean Economy in 2030, OECD Publishing, Paris. https://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264251724-en