Why Ocean Practices Matter for GCC Countries
The oceans are more than just a natural resource; they are the lifeblood of the planet, connecting people all over the world through the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the climate we rely on. Around the world, marine ecosystems are under increasing pressure from rising temperatures, pollution, and the overexploitation of marine resources. The world witnessed a critical milestone in 2025: the breach of the first climate tipping point for coral reefs. Coral reefs are crucial for nearly a billion people and a quarter of all marine life (The Global Tipping Point Report, 2025).
Regenerative oceans practices offer a critical way to heal these systems to restore and renew oceans and their ecosystems. By protecting and rebuilding habitats such as mangroves, seagrass, coral reefs, and seaweed beds, countries in the GCC can play an important role in this global effort – capturing carbon, supporting fish stocks, and shielding coastlines from erosion. Embedding these practices within national climatic coastal strategies can help the region move from resource extraction to ecosystem restoration, contributing to a global blue economy that sustains people and the planet for generations to come.
The importance of regenerative oceans in support OF climate change mitigation
Regenerative oceans activities are vital in supporting climate change mitigation, as they lock in and store vast amounts of carbon more efficiently than most land-based systems (UNESCO) Blue carbon ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrass beds, and salt marshes can capture and store up to 10 and 24 billion metric tonnes (Mt) of carbon in their soil and vegetation, equivalent to the carbon sequestered by nearly 25 billion acres of forests in a year (Climate.Gov, 2022).
Why the GCC Region NEED TO Focus on RESILIENT OCEANS
In the GCC region, regenerative ocean practices are increasingly recognised as a strategic solution to address climate risks and restore marine ecosystems. The GCC countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates – are at greater risk from rising sea levels because of their geographical location in the Arabian Gulf. By 2100, it is estimated that sea levels will rise by 1 metre, desalination processes will increase the salinity of water, and mangroves will die, negatively impacting most of the food systems that depend on imports (WCRP, 2022) Regenerative oceans practices provide region-specific options for the 3,100 km of exposed Omani coastline at risk of climate change to achieve net zero by 2050 (CBD). Seaweed farming in warm Gulf seas turns constant risks into chances to lead in sustainable development. (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution).
Why Regenerative Ocean Practices Matter for GCC Countries
Livelihoods And Community Impact
BY SUPPORTING oceans NATURE SYSTEMS. The region can safeguard both the environment and livelihoods, by working hand in hand – UNLOCKING JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN THE REGION
Nlocking Innovation
BY Supporting MARINE ecosystems – WILL enhance below-ground biodiversity, which in turn can drive innovation in aquaculture INTO NEW INITIATIVES WHICH IN TURN WILL CONNECT LIVELIHOODS AND COMMUNITY IMPACTS
Carbon Carbon Insetting Sequestration
By supporting plant biodiversity: coral reefs, seaweed, and mangroves, these facilitate projects that promote CARBON INSETTING SEQUESTRATION through the planting of mangroves.
GCC Initiatives in Regenerative Oceans and Their Benefits
There are many initiatives building in the GCC. The Ministry of Agriculture is backing Oman’s 2025 NTZ Solutions project, which grows native seaweeds like sargassum to store CO₂, supporting the ocean economy by diversifying new ways for economic income streams (Oman Observer, 2025). As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, Red Sea Global has promised to plant 50 million mangroves by 2030. This initiative will restore habitats, create aquaculture jobs, and enhance insetting opportunities by capturing and storing carbon within national coastal ecosystems (Red Sea Global,).
The UAE supports the restoration of seagrass while also strengthening coastal defences and reducing emissions through partnerships for offshore seaweed and AquaME conferences. These programmes have many benefits, such as restoring biodiversity, verifying sequestration that helps SDGs 13 (Climate Action) and 14 (Life Below Water), and reducing poverty by creating fair jobs. However, rigorous third-party verification of the system is required to monitor this initiative.
Verified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN, 2025), the UAE now protects nearly 12% of its marine territory, including approximately 2,956 km² of seagrass meadows and 183 km² of mangroves. Mangrove cover increased by 92% between 1987 and 2022 under the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative.
Coastal blue carbon ecosystems can store up to ten times more carbon per hectare than tropical rainforests due to the accumulation of organic matter in biomass and sediments.
What This Means for Businesses and Investors in the GCC
Regenerative ocean practices are not just environmental initiatives, they represent strategic business opportunities.
Over 55% of global GDP (approximately USD 58 trillion) depends directly on nature’s health. Investors, regulators, and ESG frameworks are increasingly integrating biodiversity and nature-based solutions into climate disclosure requirements.
For organisations operating in the GCC, regenerative ocean strategies can
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- Support ESG reporting and emerging biodiversity frameworks
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- Align with TNFD, ISSB, and CSRD disclosure expectations
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- Unlock blue carbon market opportunities
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- Enhance supply chain resilience
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- Strengthen brand credibility through verified nature-based solutions
Nature is increasingly being treated as capital, investable infrastructure linked to green sukuk, biodiversity credits, and sustainable finance mechanisms.
Nature as Capital: The GCC’s Regenerative Vision
The past 50 years (1970–2020) have seen a 73% decline in monitored wildlife populations globally (Living Planet Index). Freshwater species have declined by 85%, terrestrial species by 69%, and marine species by 56%.
In response, GCC nations are embedding regenerative ocean strategies into broader climate and biodiversity agendas.
The UAE has integrated artificial intelligence and advanced monitoring systems through initiatives such as the Nabat platform and the Jaywun research vessel. The UAE’s green sukuk linked to mangrove restoration highlights how natural assets are becoming investable and measurable.
As GCC nations expand blue carbon markets and integrate natural capital into national strategies, they are redefining growth, positioning ecosystems as strategic assets rather than extractive resources.
Conclusion
The GCC region can demonstrate to the world how regenerative oceans techniques can store millions of tonnes of CO₂, strengthen coastal economies, and inspire large-scale climate action. These initiatives also contribute to the restoration and protection of marine species listed on the IUCN Red List, ensuring that threatened biodiversity benefits from ecosystem-based growth. GCC countries are parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and align their efforts with the objectives of the Nagoya Protocol.
By advancing these ocean-based projects, the region also supports the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, contributing to the protection of 30% of marine areas, halting species loss, and promoting sustainable use of ocean resources. In alignment with ISO 17298, recently launched to provide a global framework for biodiversity management, these actions further strengthen regional accountability and reporting on ecosystem health. Together, these commitments lay the foundation for a prosperous and resilient future where oceans sustain diverse life and support climate stability.
HOW NEW RIVER CAN SUPPORT
As ESG disclosure requirements, climate risk reporting obligations, and sustainability governance expectations continue to evolve, organisations require clear, structured advisory support.
New River is a strategic advisory firm specialising in ESG reporting, sustainability strategy, and governance alignment. We help organisations strengthen internal controls, enhance data governance, and align with leading global frameworks such as GRI, TCFD, ISSB, and TNFD, while meeting UAE regulatory expectations.
Our services include ESG gap assessments, reporting strategy development, assurance readiness, stakeholder engagement, and executive training programmes.
Through this approach, we enable credible, transparent, and verifiable disclosures that translate sustainability commitments into measurable performance.
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