SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL

Life Below Water

The ocean drives global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources.

Explore the Depths

The Blue Heart of Earth

Why Oceans Matter

Our Global Life Support System

The ocean covers three-quarters of the Earth's surface, contains 97% of the Earth's water, and represents 99% of the living space on the planet by volume.

Rainwater, drinking water, weather, climate, coastlines, much of our food, and even the oxygen in the air we breathe, are all ultimately provided and regulated by the sea.

Absorbs 30% of CO2 produced by humans.
Largest source of protein for the world.
Estimated global market value of $3 trillion/year.

0 Percent of Earth Surface

0 Percent of Oxygen Produced

0 Thousands of Species Identified

0 Percent of Oceans Heavily Affected

Critical Challenges

Threats to the Deep

Marine Pollution

An estimated 8 million tons of plastic enter our oceans every year.

The Plastic Plague

Plastics break down into microplastics, entering the food chain. By 2050, there could be more plastic in the ocean than fish by weight.

Impact: Severe

Overfishing

Taking fish faster than they can reproduce is depleting populations.

Empty Oceans

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing accounts for about 20% of the world's catch. 90% of stocks are fully exploited.

Impact: Critical

Ocean Acidification

The ocean absorbs CO2, lowering pH levels significantly.

Corals in Danger

Acidification prevents shell formation in marine life and causes mass coral bleaching events, destroying habitats.

Impact: Irreversible

United Nations Goals

The Targets

To achieve SDG 14, the UN has defined specific targets to be reached by 2030.

14.1

Reduce Marine Pollution

By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.

14.2

Protect and Restore Ecosystems

By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts and take action for their restoration.

14.3

Reduce Ocean Acidification

Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels.

14.4

Sustainable Fishing

By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices.

14.5

Conserve Coastal Areas

By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law.

The Journey

History of Conservation

1982

UNCLOS Adopted

The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea defined the rights and responsibilities of nations regarding the use of the world's oceans.

1995

Code of Conduct

FAO adopted the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries to promote long-term conservation.

2015

SDG 14 Established

The UN included "Life Below Water" as one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved by 2030.

2017

The Ocean Conference

The first high-level UN conference to Support the Implementation of SDG 14 was held in New York.

2021

Decade of Ocean Science

Start of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).

Become a Guardian of the Ocean

The ocean is vast, but it is fragile. Your individual actions, when multiplied by millions, can create waves of change.

Reduce Plastic

Switch to reusable bags, bottles, and straws. Avoid excess packaging.

Eat Sustainably

Check labels. Eat species that are not overexploited. Support local fishermen.

Reduce Energy

Carbon emissions cause acidification. Reduce your footprint.