One of the most promising trends when entering 2026 is the renewed interest in marine and coastal solutions to the climate and biodiversity crisis. But to succeed, countries and communities must speed up the protection and restoration of critical ecosystems before it is too late. In the coming year, coastal resilience needs to be at the top of the global agenda, focusing on ecosystem restoration, community involvement, and new business models.

Ocean-based climate solutions may be the most underutilized form of climate action. Remarkably, it is estimated that ocean-related climate measures that are ready for implementation could deliver up to 35% of annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emission cuts needed by 2050.

Ahead of the 2026 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 31) and the 2026 UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP 17), there is a strong push for countries to actively incorporate ocean-based solutions into their national climate and biodiversity plans. Pacific island nations have been among the most vocal advocates of ocean-focused climate policies and will likely make this issue front and center at the global climate pre-COP to be hosted in the region in the lead up to COP 31. An Ocean Task Force was also launched at COP 30 to encourage more countries to include the ocean in their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. According to a recent review of the NDCs, countries are starting to heed the call, with 78% of NDCs now referring to the ocean.

Yet, to tap the enormous potential of ocean-based climate policies, countries and communities need a much better understanding of the role of coastal resilience. First, it is not a niche topic. Almost half the global population lives near the coastline. This is also where we find many of the world’s largest cities and the most important financial hubs.

Second, coastal communities depend on healthy marine and coastal ecosystems. Mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrass meadows reduce storm impacts, limit erosion, and improve water quality. As climate conditions change, these ecosystems will play an increasingly important role in moderating local impacts and supporting adaptation. But climate change also means that ecosystems come under growing pressure, including from higher temperatures, sea-level rise, ocean acidification, and altered freshwater flows. To safeguard critical ecosystems and the services they provide, these pressures must be addressed in an integrated way.

Consequently, it is essential to slash GHG emissions now and in parallel increase marine and coastal protection as there is a close link between climate and biodiversity action. Achieving the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) target of protecting 30% of land and marine areas by 2030 is one of the most effective strategies for climate mitigation and adaptation.

Despite this, vital coastal ecosystems continue to disappear at a rapid pace due to incremental land-use change, infrastructure development, and unsustainable resource use. Take the case of mangroves, which absorb more carbon than other forests but are lost at a much faster rate. More than half the mangrove ecosystems could be at risk of collapse by 2050, according to the first mangrove assessment conducted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Reversing such trends requires widespread understanding of the benefits that mangroves, corals, and seagrass provide – not only as buffers against climate impacts but as engines of local development, employment, and well-being. Linking restoration to income generation, skills development, and local ownership is essential for lasting success.

More and more people are starting to see protection of ecosystems as an investment in fisheries, tourism, and other aspects of a sustainable blue economy. At Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), we work with local communities in the Caribbean on solutions that pair ecosystem restoration with socioeconomic development. One example is a living lab in Varadero, Colombia, where coral restoration is combined with dive training and reef monitoring, enabling communities to track ecological recovery while creating new opportunities in ecotourism. In the Dominican Republic and Cuba, mangrove restoration is similarly integrated with the development of blue bioeconomy alternatives that support local livelihoods.

Many more examples of viable blue business models are needed. Although approaches must be tailored to local contexts, the global community benefits when experiences, knowledge, and technologies are shared across regions, helping bridge the gap between global funding priorities and on-the-ground needs. So, let’s make 2026 a year of coastal resilience and innovation.