See how investment can make a difference

The ocean is the most
underfunded asset on Earth.

Ocean-based industries generate $2.5 trillion in value each year — yet less than 1% of global investment reaches ocean conservation. The slider below is an illustrative model showing the relationship between funding and conservation potential, based on published estimates from WWF, the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, and the IMF. It is not a precise forecast.

Illustrative annual ocean investment

$6B per year (current)

$6B current $25B $60B $100B $175B needed

Estimated funding gap

97%

of the $175B needed annually remains unfunded

Illustrative protection potential

9.8%

illustrative conservation potential (30% is the global target)

Projections are illustrative only, based on published research from WWF/BCG (2015), the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (2020), and the IMF (2019). The slider does not represent a peer-reviewed econometric model.

At current funding levels, the annual financing gap for ocean conservation is estimated at over $160 billion.

Our impact investments

Ocean's Bounty

Ocean's Bounty was founded by Kabir Parker, a marine scientist who wanted to make a bigger impact than working in a lab could offer. While visiting family in India, Kabir discovered the world of seaweed farming along the coastal villages of South India — and saw something special.

Glass Half Full

Glass Half Full recycle glass “waste” into sand and gravel to restore eroding coasts, to create new glass, and so much more. They started with an idea, a college backyard in New Orleans, and a commitment to seeing the ‘glass half full.’ A few years later, they’ve diverted millions of pounds of glass from landfills across Louisiana, and converted it into sand and gravel for a myriad of applications for coastal restoration.

Organizations we support

Marine Conservation Institute