The ocean will no longer be a side note at London Climate Action Week (LCAW), as Kanaloa, Blue Marine Foundation and 10% For The Ocean, have announced the launch of the first ever Ocean Hub as part of this year’s lineup.

The Ocean Hub will feature a multitude of ocean focused sessions, bringing together leaders, scientists, activists and artists to make the case for the ocean as one of the most powerful and underutilised solutions to the climate crisis. 

The Ocean Hub makes the case that it is not just something to be protected, but one of humanity’s most potent tools for healing the planet, where ocean protection, nature recovery and decarbonisation work together to address the climate and biodiversity crisis and build a resilient future.  

“For too long, the ocean has been the foundation our planet relies on — and the last thing on the agenda when we talk about fixing it. Kanaloa exists because urgency demands action, not incrementalism. Opening the doors for the first ever Ocean Hub at LCAW alongside our valued partners, feels like exactly the kind of catalytic moment we built Kanaloa House for, a place where the right people, in the right room, can turn the best available science into decisions and actions that actually move the needle.” Inga Thordar, Chief Catalyst Officer, Kanaloa.

It is the first time LCAW has dedicated a full programme of events to the ocean and the timing couldn’t be more urgent. Blue Marine, Kanaloa and 10% for the Ocean are joined by the Convex Seascape Survey, DEEP,  Earth Law Centre, High Seas Alliance, HSBC, ORRAA, the Ocean & Climate Platform, Oceanographic and One Ocean Planet to bring these events together. 

Running from Monday 22 to Thursday 25 June at Kanaloa House in Soho, the Ocean Hub sets out to fundamentally shift how the world thinks about ocean climate action. For too long, the ocean has been framed as a fragile victim of human imposed damage. 

Carolina Manhusen, 10% for the Ocean’s CEO, highlighted: “We are proud to be finally elevating the ocean to its rightful place in the climate conversation at LCAW. We forget at our peril how the ocean drives climate systems as well as being vulnerable to its impacts. Now the blue community is joining forces to convene the various sectors we need to deliver effective action and ensure a liveable planet for generations to come. May we not fall short of the results we need.”

With 2030 targets approaching faster than ever, the pressure to turn ambition into action has never been greater. The Ocean Hub seeks to build momentum for COP17, COP31 and BBNJ COP1  to demonstrate the vital importance of aligning national climate and biodiversity commitments. 

Taking place across four days of panels, discussions and live performance, highlights include:

  • A debate on the ocean’s role in the global energy transition and infrastructure security 
  • A panel exploring what it will take to deliver on the global commitment to protect 30 per cent of the world’s ocean by 2030 with special guest Dr Sylvia Earle.
  • A live performance from Madame Ghandi and Em the Master, who will perform at Golden Square on the 24th June.

Jo Coumbe, Communications Director at Blue Marine, said “The ocean has spent too long as climate’s silent partner, doing the heavy lifting while barely getting a mention. Yet it remains one of our most powerful tools for tackling the climate and nature crises. The Ocean Hub is changing that, bringing together the people, ideas and solutions needed to put the ocean firmly on the agenda. This year, London Climate Action Week is proving what’s long been clear – a healthy ocean is not just part of the solution, it is essential to securing a safer, more resilient future for us all. It’s time we stopped treating the ocean as the backdrop to the climate story and recognised it as the main act.”

Open sessions are free to attend. For the full programme and to secure your place, visit the official Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/london-climate-action-week-ocean-hub-at-kanaloa-house-tickets-1989210957522