Every year on 22 May, the world celebrates the International Day for Biodiversity (IDB) (or for Biological Diversity)—a day to reflect on our relationship with nature and commit to more sustainable practices that protect life on Earth.
This year’s theme, “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development”, resonates strongly with the maritime industry, which plays a pivotal role in shaping the health and future of our oceans.
A call for sustainable business
The IDB commemorates the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1992. Today, it serves as a reminder that thriving economies depend on thriving ecosystems. As global expectations rise for businesses to assess, disclose, and mitigate their environmental impacts, companies across all sectors—including shipping—are urged to reevaluate how they interact with the natural world. Forward-thinking maritime enterprises that take proactive steps today will be better positioned for resilience and success tomorrow.
”The International Day for Biological Diversity, celebrated every 22 May, is a reminder to the world that we cannot survive without biodiversity.”, the World Economic Forum stresses. More than 47,000 species are at risk of extinction, according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; the world lost over 28 million hectares of tree cover in just one year; and the climate crisis is increasing the frequency and intensity of fires, floods and droughts, impacting biodiversity further. The UN says that biodiversity loss could lead to more zoonoses – diseases transmitted from animals to humans. But it also points out that preserving biodiversity “offers excellent tools to fight against pandemics like those caused by coronaviruses”.
The Oceans: Earth’s lifeblood
Oceans cover over 70% of Earth’s surface and hold 95% of the biosphere. Marine ecosystems, some dating back billions of years, are teeming with biodiversity and provide vital services—from regulating the climate to sustaining fisheries and livelihoods. However, these ecosystems now face unprecedented threats from pollution, overfishing, climate change, and invasive species—many of which are linked to human activity, including maritime transport.
IMO’s role in marine biodiversity protection
The International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialized UN agency, is at the forefront of protecting the marine environment. Its work directly addresses key biodiversity loss drivers identified by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)—pollution, invasive species, and resource exploitation.
IMO implements global standards that reduce shipping’s impact on marine biodiversity, including:
- Ballast Water Management Convention (BWM): Prevents the spread of invasive aquatic species.
- Biofouling Guidelines and AFS Convention: Regulates ship coatings and hull cleanliness to reduce species transfer.
- MARPOL and the London Convention/Protocol: Limit marine pollution and waste disposal.
- IMO GHG Strategy and MARPOL Annex VI: Address maritime contributions to climate change.
Through these instruments, IMO supports the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), adopted under the CBD in 2022, which sets ambitious global biodiversity targets through 2030.
Collaborating for innovation
The Global Industry Alliance (GIA) for Marine Biosafety is a unique public-private partnership advancing IMO’s goals on biodiversity and decarbonization. Under the GloFouling Partnerships Project, it brings together 14 members—including shipping firms, research institutes, and classification societies—to improve biofouling management and reduce ecological risks from maritime operations.
Industry leadership in biodiversity science
Leading industry players are contributing beyond regulatory compliance. For instance, in 2021 Japanese shipping company MOL partnered with Professor Yasuhiro Kubota of the University of the Ryukyus on the Ocean180 Project, which uses big data and AI to map marine biodiversity and assess the environmental impact of shipping.
The project aims to:
- Create accessible global biodiversity datasets.
- Develop spatial tools to visualize and assess ecosystem impacts.
- Promote sustainable ocean operations through multi-stakeholder collaboration.
Such efforts embody the spirit of the IDB—transformative partnerships for a nature-positive future.
Why marine biodiversity matters
Healthy oceans are not only vital for the environment, but also for human health, economic prosperity, and food security. Biodiversity underpins the global economy and is central to addressing the “triple planetary crisis” of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss—all of which are interconnected and prominently featured in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A shared responsibility
The marine environment is resilient, but not invincible. It requires coordinated international action and innovation. By integrating nature into business models and advancing sustainable shipping practices, the maritime industry can be a powerful force for good in achieving harmony with the oceans.
On this International Day for Biological Diversity, the IMO and the global maritime community reaffirm their commitment to safeguarding life below water and supporting a sustainable blue economy for generations to come.
