The warning is contained in the 2026 Climate Technology Progress Report, which highlights the growing pressure on the ocean’s ability to regulate the climate. It notes that rising temperatures and other environmental changes are disrupting the natural processes that allow the ocean to absorb carbon dioxide and excess heat.
According to the report, the ocean takes in about 30 per cent of human generated carbon dioxide emissions and absorbs roughly 90 per cent of the excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases. These functions have made it a major buffer against the worst effects of climate change.
However, increasing ocean temperatures, acidification, declining oxygen levels, pollution and the destruction of marine ecosystems are weakening this capacity. The report warns that if these pressures continue, the ocean may become less effective at storing carbon, leaving more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and making global climate targets more difficult and costly to achieve.
To address the challenge, the report highlights the need to develop Ocean Carbon Intelligence, a framework that brings together ocean science, monitoring technologies, reliable data systems and analytical tools. The approach is designed to provide a clearer picture of changes in ocean carbon levels and help governments make better informed climate decisions.
Martin Krause, Director of the Climate Change Division at the United Nations Environment Programme, stressed the importance of protecting the ocean’s role in the fight against global warming.
He warned that a weaker ocean carbon sink would leave more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, making climate targets harder and more expensive to meet. He also noted that the ocean had helped humanity gain valuable time in addressing climate change and that its contribution should not be taken for granted.
Although interest in ocean based climate solutions is growing among governments, researchers and investors, the report identifies major gaps in ocean monitoring, data collection and scientific knowledge. These shortcomings continue to limit the ability of decision makers to develop effective responses.
Inia Seruiratu, Pacific Climate Envoy for the Ocean to the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), also called for the ocean to take a more prominent place in international climate discussions.
Seruiratu said the Pacific region recognised both the opportunity and responsibility to put the ocean at the centre of global climate action. He emphasised the importance of stronger partnerships, long term investment and committed leadership.
He added that combining scientific innovation with Indigenous knowledge would help build a more resilient future and strengthen efforts to protect the ocean against the growing effects of climate change.
