Climate change poses significant challenges to the planetary environment, human societies, and security. The world’s oceans—and by extension, maritime and marine governance—are closely interlinked with climate change impacts as well as the policies and actions towards addressing them. In addition, oceans are also placed under an unprecedented strain by interconnected threats from biodiversity loss and intensifying maritime activity.

Existing responses are fragmented, characterized by institutional silos, a changing geopolitical landscape, and conflicting priorities. A strategic shift is needed to integrate security, climate action (including decarbonization of shipping), and environmental conservation in the maritime sector under a unified governance framework.

This brief develop under SLYCAN Trust's work programme on security, climate change, and environment provides an outline of the interlinked crises of biodiversity, climate change, and maritime security. It examines the gaps relating to their governance and proposes an agenda for research as a way forward, building on in-depth discussions held with multiple stakeholders.

‍