Our Strategy
Slow, stop, and reverse the ocean-climate crisis
The climate crisis and the health of our ocean are inseparably linked.
The ocean’s spectacular web of life is being severely degraded by ongoing disruption of our climate, which is driving dangerous levels of ocean warming and acidification and pushing critical ecosystems toward tipping points. These impacts also have direct implications for human welfare.
If we don’t repair the climate, the ocean cannot thrive; and without a healthy, functioning ocean, there is no climate stability.
Ocean Visions works on four interconnected strategic priorities—Reduce, Remove, Repair, and Reach—to counter climate impacts on ocean health and maintain and restore foundational parts of the earth system.
Working together with a global network of partners, we advance responsible research, development, and governance for the evaluation of ocean-climate solutions and deployment of those that prove viable.
Read our 2026-2028 strategic plan.
The 4Rs are an integrated portfolio strategy. Combined, they represent a systems-level approach to restore ocean–climate stability.
Rapid and deep reductions of greenhouse gas emissions are essential. The ocean has enormous potential to support the required transition by providing low-carbon goods and services such as food, energy, and materials needed by humanity.
Our Strategy
Ocean Visions increases focus on under-explored ocean-based pathways to societal decarbonization. We expand knowledge and attention to emerging and under-invested technologies and create the enabling environments needed to facilitate wider deployment of effective approaches.
Our Priorities:
- Increase market share and scaling of innovative high-value seaweed products
- Profile and advocate for a portfolio of ocean-based mitigation pathways
- Identify and address key policy and market barriers to deployment
Atmospheric levels of CO2 are already beyond safe levels for ocean and climate stability. There is no stable climate future without the removal of vast quantities of CO2 from the air and water. The ocean offers multiple pathways to safely draw down and sequester legacy CO2 pollution.
Our Strategy
Ocean Visions increases foundational evidence on marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) pathways and advances the enabling environments needed to accelerate responsible research and development. We serve as a generator and repository of data and knowledge and help grow and strengthen the mCDR innovation ecosystem.
Our Priorities:
- Advance development of fundamental evidence on the safety, durability, efficacy, and scalability of high-potential mCDR pathways
- Provide mCDR innovators with diverse technical assistance to optimize technologies
- Increase global capacity for mCDR RD&D through support to Ocean-Climate Innovation Hubs and Fellows
- Engage in select international bodies to build a supportive enabling environment to advance mCDR RD&D
Repair
Ocean-climate tipping points may be averted through interventions that rebuild key ecosystems.
Reducing and removing CO2 alone will not cool the planet in time to avoid passing tipping points, which has already happened with coral reefs. Surpassing more tipping points will have dangerous impacts on people and nature. That can be forestalled if we are able to rebuild key ecosystems.
Our Strategy
Ocean Visions works on avoidance of dangerous tipping points in the ocean and cryosphere; our current focus is on preventing loss of Arctic sea ice. We fund early-stage research and exploration on ice restoration approaches that are scientifically plausible and potentially impactful, and we work to establish governance frameworks and international agreements needed for advancing RD&D.
Our Priorities:
- Advance leading-edge research on efficacy and impacts of potential interventions
- Conduct assessments of feasibility and scalability where appropriate
- Increase global awareness on and attention to the risks of sea ice loss and the opportunities to reduce risk
Reach
Diverse sectors and cultures are necessary to develop and advance responsible ocean-climate solutions.
This ambitious ocean-climate restoration agenda will require a global mobilization of diverse talents, sectors, and cultures in the race to develop the needed innovations and enabling frameworks to test and deploy effective and just potential ocean-climate solutions.
Our Strategy
Ocean Visions works to support and grow a community of ocean-climate solutions leaders around the world—particularly in regions most affected by climate impacts. With this network, we create the conditions for potential solutions to be tested and, where appropriate, advanced responsibly.
Our Priorities:
- Build and support a network of Ocean-Climate Innovation Hubs in the global South
- Identify and support emerging leadership through our Ocean-Climate Innovation Fellowships
- Organize strategic coalitions and partnerships to align regional and global efforts and sustain constructive engagement in international policy processes