Ocean Panel’s paper on ocean employment highlights the challenges and opportunities for employment and economic growth in the transition to a sustainable blue economy.
The ocean holds more than just natural beauty — it could be the key to millions of new jobs. A new report from the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel) reveals that with the right investments, the ocean economy could create 51 million additional jobs by 2050, growing the sector’s formal workforce to 184 million people.
Released in partnership with the World Resources Institute (WRI), the 126-page report examines both the challenges and the untapped potential of transitioning to a sustainable blue economy. From offshore wind energy to sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, the study outlines how ocean-based industries can drive economic growth while helping to meet global climate goals.
The report found that the formal ocean economy employs at least 133 million people globally. With the right support in place that figure could grow by 51 million by 2050 to 184 million, an increase of 1.5% per year from a 2019 baseline.
“There are climate-related biochemical reasons for investing in oceans and the ocean workforce”, said Tom Pickerell, global director of the ocean programme at the WRI, highlighting that oceans are responsible for 50% of oxygen produced on the Earth.
“It is also the biggest carbon sink in the world. So, we need to actively be managing the ocean and see it as an ally in the fight against climate change. Ocean-based climate solutions such as wind power, blue foods or green carbon dioxide removal can contribute to about 30% of the emissions gap needed to maintain us on that 1.5C trajectory,” he said, referring to the Paris Agreement goal to limit global temperature rise.
Despite the ocean’s critical role in providing food, jobs, and absorbing carbon emissions, it remains chronically underfunded — receiving just 0.1% of global investment aimed at the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Experts stress that changing this trend is essential, not only for the environment but also for the livelihoods of millions, particularly in coastal and developing regions.
The report calls for targeted investments, improved workforce skills, and inclusive policies to ensure a fair transition for vulnerable communities. With proper support, the ocean economy could become a powerhouse for green jobs, innovation, and climate resilience.
Pickerell said that in his view there are three main channels for mobilising and aligning finance.
There’s direct climate development finance that needs to be directed towards ocean workforce transitions and then there are the banks and private investors, who have a role to play in funding inclusive training, infrastructure and job creation in the coastal regions of the world, particularly in the Global South. The third channel was through public funding. That would derisk blue workforce programmes that can actually provide support for underserved populations.
Tom Pickerell, global director of the ocean programme at the WRI
Read the Report – The Future of the Workforce in a Sustainable Ocean Economy
