Ocean Industry Alliance On Sustainability To Convene at International Conference in UK
The Sustainable Ocean Summit will bring together "Corporate Ocean Responsibility" leaders to tackle an ambitious program on shared marine environmental challenges.
WOC Members to date include: ExxonMobil, Rio Tinto, the International Chamber of Shipping, RightShip, the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA), Twin Dolphins, Transocean, the Ocean Education, Technology and Science Partnership, Golder Associates, TORM AS, Nautilus Minerals, Det Norske Veritas (DNV),Holman Fenwick Willan, Beveridge & Diamond, P.C., Blank Rome.
This Earth Day reminds us that over 70% of the Earth is actually ocean - and that industry action is essential to addressing environmental issues in the interconnected global marine ecosystem.
Ocean industries will convene at the Sustainable Ocean Summit - the first international, cross-sectional business conference on ocean sustainability in Belfast, UK, June 15-17, 2010 - to develop its leadership and collaboration needed to tackle marine environmental challenges. The conference program targets comprehensive coverage of cross-cutting ocean issues with an unparalleled mix of senior ocean industry speakers and panelists.
The ocean supports a wide range of uses - shipping, fisheries, oil and gas, aquaculture, renewable energy, mining, tourism, etc. While many companies are making important efforts to reduce their ocean footprint, the best efforts by a single company or sector won't be enough in an interconnected ocean ecosystem. Sustaining ocean health requires responsible use and stewardship by all users.
A growing number and range of industries share the World Ocean Council
(WOC) vision of a healthy and productive global ocean and its sustainable use and stewardship by responsible companies. They are joining this unique international business leadership alliance on ocean sustainability and are calling on others to participate in the WOC and the Sustainable Ocean Summit (SOS).
The SOS is an unprecedented gathering of the diverse ocean business community. It will kick-off with the "Roundtable of Ocean Industry Association Leaders", the first-ever gathering of 20 international ocean-related industry associations.
During the SOS, business representatives will work together to identify the priorities and develop the cross-sectoral industry efforts needed to work on shared ocean sustainability issues in relation to:
. Ocean Industries and Ocean Science
. Climate Change and Ocean Use
. Marine Ecosystem Services and Climate Change
. International Ocean Policy and the Future of Industry
. Risk and Ocean Environmental Issues
. Environmental Education and Training for Marine Professionals
. Biosecurity and Invasive Species
. Ocean Industries and Marine Mammal Interactions
. Marine Debris
. Food from Crowded Seas
. Renewable Energy from Crowded Seas
. Vessels, Ports and Marine Environmental Quality
. Arctic Marine Ecosystem Challenges and Opportunities for Industry
. Regional Approaches to Ocean Industry Alliances
In the closing plenary on "Improving Media, Public and NGO Understanding of Ocean Industries", SOS participants will work with media representatives to improve communications on the role and actions of responsible ocean businesses.
A special half-day seminar on "Marine Spatial Planning - What Ocean Industries Need to Know" will bring together experts and industry representatives to focus on this rapidly emerging approach to marine governance and develop the proactive role of industry involvement.
The Sustainable Ocean Summit is organized in partnership with Golder Associates and is open to all ocean stakeholders. For information and registration visit www.oceancouncil.org
The World Ocean Council is the international, cross-sectoral industry alliance for private sector leadership and collaboration in ocean stewardship. Companies and associations worldwide are distinguishing themselves as sustainability leaders by joining the WOC as Founding Members in 2009/2010.
Contact: Paul Holthus +1 (808) 277-9008 [email protected]
3035 Hibiscus Drive, Suite 1, Honolulu, HI, USA 96815