Integrating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals with Ocean Businesses

The United Nations (UN) is in the process of launching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These 17 aspirational goals, which replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), seek to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development from 2016 to 2030. Under the proposed SDG framework there is a stand-alone goal on oceans. This Ocean SDG along with many other SDGs has numerous implications for the ocean business community. This analysis assesses the potential opportunities and risks for ocean industry involvement with the SDGs. It identifies which goals are relevant to the ocean business community, evaluates which ocean industry sectors will be most affected, and provides suggestions for ocean business community involvement. To determine the opportunities and risks associated with the SDGs for ocean industries, this analysis was conducted in partnership with the World Ocean Council. The World Ocean Council is a consortium of ocean businesses that seeks to ensure “a healthy and productive global ocean and its sustainable use, development, and stewardship by a responsible ocean business community.” It engages a wide range of ocean industries on issues spanning from ocean policy to marine spatial planning.