UNESCO Launches New Policy Brief Highlighting the Urgent Need to Strengthen Ocean Literacy in Education

UNESCO has unveiled a new publication, Promoting Ocean Literacy – An Education Policy Brief, calling on European and national policymakers to support a better integration of ocean-related content into national curricula. Unveiled earlier today in a dedicated event at the European Parliament hosted by Portuguese MEP Paulo do Nascimento Cabral, the publication underscores the growing importance of equipping learners worldwide with the knowledge and skills necessary to safeguard the ocean and ensure a sustainable future.

Ocean Literacy refers to an understanding of the ocean’s influence on people and people’s influence on the ocean. As the world grapples with pressing challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and economic stability, this policy brief highlights Ocean Literacy as a foundational element in education systems. It synthesizes case studies from nine countries and proposes solutions to help foster a new generation of ocean-minded citizens.

Four Key Findings

1) Scarce Mentions of the Ocean in Education Systems

Curricular documents across different education systems rarely contain explicit references to ocean topics. Even when present, ocean themes are limited and often lack sufficient depth.

2) Emphasis on Broader Environmental Terms

References to “Environment” and “Sustainability” predominate, while direct references to ocean-specific terminology remain comparatively few. “Ecology and Biodiversity” and “Climate Change” receive moderate emphasis, but explicit ocean issues are often overshadowed.

3) Ocean Viewed Primarily Through an Environmental Lens

In most cases, ocean content is framed through its environmental significance. Broader ocean characteristics—for example, its cultural or economic dimensions—receive minimal attention.

4) Underrepresentation in Natural Sciences

Ocean-related terminology features most prominently in social science, citizenship, and physical education documents. In contrast, natural sciences, where deeper scientific exploration of marine topics would be expected, rarely mention ocean themes.

Emphasizing the ocean’s role in global issues, Dr. Francesca Santoro, who leads the Ocean Literacy programme at UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO-IOC), states: “We stand at a critical juncture, and we must urgently integrate the ocean into education policy. Only by broadening access to ocean knowledge and nurturing a culture of stewardship can we empower communities to address the great challenges of our times, and that starts with protecting our planet’s most vital resource.”

Addressing the broader educational landscape, Mr. Hugo Abate of UNESCO’s International Bureau of Education (UNESCO-IBE) adds: “Equipping our learners with ocean-related competencies isn’t just about marine science—it’s about recognizing the ocean’s multidimensional impact on cultural heritage, economic opportunity, and community resilience. This brief offers a framework to embed Ocean Literacy within overall curriculum design and teacher training.”

A Call for Policy Action

The new UNESCO policy brief calls on governments to adopt a four-pronged strategy:

• Revise curricula and assessment methodologies to embed ocean science across subjects,
• Prioritize teacher training so educators can effectively convey ocean-related content,
• Expand production of high-quality resources, ensuring local contexts and Indigenous knowledge are represented, and
• Involve multiple stakeholders, from municipal leaders to scientific institutions, in promoting public awareness and supportive policies.

By implementing these measures, education authorities worldwide can bolster the role of Ocean Literacy in preparing students to navigate urgent global challenges. Ultimately, this approach positions the ocean as a central thread in transdisciplinary learning—reinforcing its significance to both environmental and societal well-being.