Corporate Ocean Responsibility: Business Leadership in Sustainability and Stewardship of the Seas

The growing use of marine areas by an increasing variety of commercial interests from shipping to offshore renewable energy is creating increasingly complex risks from environmental impacts and conflicts in the use of marine space and resources. In turn these raise concerns for other stakeholders that affect the access and ＂social license＂ to use marine space and resources. Although many companies are working to tackle sustainability issues, the interconnected, dynamic nature of the marine ecosystem creates unique challenges. The best efforts by a single company or whole industry sector will not be able to address the cumulative environmental impacts of the wide range of ocean industries. An international, cross-sectoral approach to ＂Corporate Ocean Responsibility＂ is needed. This book will outline ocean industry leadership and collaboration needs and opportunities in addressing marine environmental issues in support of improved business operations. Topics covered include collaboration on: ocean science/data collection, ocean noise, marine spatial planning, marine invasive species, marine debris, impacts on marine mammals and the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Paul Holthus is Executive Director of the World Ocean Council, based in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. He has an extensive background in international marine/coastal conservation and sustainable development leadership, involving a wide range of situations and stakeholders - from policy work with UN agency directors and engaging corporations and global business associations to field research and site level work with villagers on small islands.