Fossil fuels are being overlooked at UN ocean summit, analysts warn

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🗞️ Driving the news: French President Emmanuel Macron opened the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice with calls for global unity in ocean protection — but failed to mention fossil fuels, a major threat to marine ecosystems
• Environmental groups, including Earth Insight, criticized the omission as a missed opportunity to confront one of the most pressing drivers of ocean degradation

🔭 The context: Offshore fossil fuel activities have expanded significantly, particularly in “frontier regions” with high ecological value
• According to Earth Insight’s latest report, over 2.7 million km² of ocean area — larger than Argentina — is now designated for oil and gas extraction
• These areas often overlap with marine biodiversity hotspots, undermining international commitments to ocean protection

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Oceans absorb over 90% of the excess heat from global warming, and fossil fuel extraction exacerbates marine stress through pollution, habitat destruction, and temperature rise
• The expansion of oil and gas operations directly endangers coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass meadows — key buffers against climate change and biodiversity loss
• Macron’s silence highlights a broader reluctance among world leaders to tackle fossil fuels in marine policy discussions

⏭️ What's next: UNOC3 is expected to centre on the ratification of the High Seas Treaty, which would enable the creation of protected areas in international waters
Campaigners are urging countries to go further by endorsing mechanisms like the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty and halting new offshore drilling licenses
France’s leadership role, particularly ahead of COP30, will be closely scrutinised for alignment between rhetoric and action

💬 One quote: “This glaring omission demonstrates that the impacts of fossil fuel extraction on marine biodiversity and coastal communities continue to be overlooked.” — Tyson Miller, Executive Director, Earth Insight

📈 One stat: Over 2.7 million km² of offshore territory — an area the size of Argentina — is currently covered by oil and gas blocks in 11 global frontier regions, with 19% of marine protected areas at risk

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