Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Goal 14 or SDG 14) focuses on "Life below water" and is one of 17 goals created by the United Nations in 2015. Its official purpose is to "Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development." There are ten targets under Goal 14 that must be reached by 2030. Each target has one indicator to measure progress over time.
The first seven targets are outcome targets: reducing marine pollution, protecting and restoring ecosystems, reducing ocean acidification, promoting sustainable fishing, conserving coastal and marine areas, ending subsidies that lead to overfishing, and increasing economic benefits from using marine resources sustainably. The last three targets are means of implementation targets: improving scientific knowledge and technology for ocean health, supporting small-scale fishers, and enforcing international sea laws. One specific indicator (14.1.1b) under Goal 14 measures progress in reducing the impact of marine plastic pollution.
According to the 2020 report on progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals, current efforts to protect important marine environments, support small-scale fishers, and invest in ocean science are not yet sufficient to meet the urgent need to protect this large and delicate resource.
Background
Goal 14 of the Sustainable Development Goals focuses on protecting and using oceans, seas, and marine resources in a way that supports long-term development. The health of the world's oceans is worsening because of climate change and human activities.
Coastal waters are becoming more damaged due to pollution and an increase in nutrients from land, which harms marine life. These same issues also contribute to climate change, leading to a slow loss of ocean biodiversity. Algal blooms and dead zones in the ocean are growing concerns. A report from 2018 warned that, without action, coastal eutrophication could affect 20% of large marine ecosystems by 2050.
Recent studies show that ocean acidification monitoring stations have increased threefold since 2021. Additionally, one in five fish caught globally comes from illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing. Beach clean-up efforts reveal rising levels of plastic pollution, which harms marine life by blocking oxygen and suffocating sea creatures.
Poor management of ocean resources harms marine conservation, local communities, and the sustainability of natural resources. Efforts are being made to improve how these resources are managed. A report states, "The sustainable use of our oceans depends on guiding how humans interact with the marine environment." To address challenges in achieving Goal 14, "quick and unified global action is essential."
Targets, indicators and progress
The United Nations has set 10 goals and 10 measures for SDG 14. These include reducing ocean pollution and acidification, protecting marine and coastal environments, and managing fishing practices. The goals also aim to improve scientific understanding of the oceans. Some goals have deadlines of 2020, others 2025, and some have no specific end date.
The 10 goals are: reducing marine pollution (14.1), protecting and restoring ecosystems (14.2), reducing ocean acidification (14.3), sustainable fishing (14.4), conserving marine areas (14.5), ending harmful fishing subsidies (14.6), increasing economic benefits from ocean resources (14.7), improving scientific knowledge (14.a), supporting small-scale fishers (14.b), and enforcing international ocean laws (14.c).
Most SDG 14 goals are not measured with numbers because data is not yet available. Only goal 14.5 has a measurable target.
The full name of goal 14.1 is: "By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce all types of marine pollution, especially from land-based activities like plastic waste and nutrient runoff."
This goal uses one measure: the "Index of Coastal Eutrophication and Floating Plastic Debris Density." The "Index of Coastal Eutrophication" tracks nutrient levels (such as nitrogen and phosphorus) from rivers. A method to calculate this index will be ready by 2020. "Floating Plastic Debris Density" measures the spread of plastic in the ocean. Plastic smaller than 4.75 mm is called microplastic, and larger than 4.75 cm is called macroplastic. Scientists use ocean current models and data to estimate plastic amounts. These measures will be ready by 2020.
Only one measure (14.1.1b) under SDG 14 specifically addresses reducing plastic pollution. Other global goals lack specific targets for reducing microplastics due to limited data. This makes it difficult for governments to monitor and report on microplastic pollution.
Goal 14.1 is due to be met by 2025, but progress is uncertain, according to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Recent data shows increased coastal eutrophication in 2022 compared to 2000–2004. If no changes occur, ocean plastic pollution could double by 2030 and nearly triple by 2040.
Plastic pollution is a major global issue. Most plastics used daily are not recycled. Single-use plastics contribute to 8 million tons of ocean waste each year. If current trends continue, by 2050, plastic in the ocean may outweigh fish by weight. Between 2000 and 2015, global plastic production reached 8,300 million metric tons, with 79% ending up in landfills or the environment. The IUCN estimates that 14 million tons of plastic are now in the ocean. There are an estimated 15 to 51 trillion plastic pieces in the world’s oceans, from the surface to the seafloor. Ocean currents gather plastic in large circular patterns called gyres, which exist in all oceans.
Plastics are widely used because they are flexible, durable, and easy to shape. Unlike many materials, plastics resist natural breakdown processes. Ocean currents, storms, and sunlight break plastics into smaller pieces, called microplastics, which settle in deep-sea sediments. Scientists estimate that about 5.25 trillion plastic pieces, weighing nearly 300,000 tons, are found in ocean gyres. Microplastics are now part of Earth’s natural cycles, being ingested by marine life such as whales, seabirds, and bacteria.
The full name of goal 14.2 is: "By 2020, manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid harm, including by restoring them to create healthy oceans."
This goal uses one measure: the "Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to manage marine areas." This measure tracks how many countries use methods that protect marine environments. An exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is a sea area defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, where a country has rights to use marine resources. No data is available for this measure yet.
The full name of goal 14.3 is: "Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through scientific collaboration."
This goal uses one measure: the "Average marine acidity (pH) measured at representative sampling stations." Ocean acidification has increased since the Industrial Revolution, with ocean pH now averaging 8.1, making the ocean about 30% more acidic. Human-caused carbon dioxide emissions are the main cause of acidification. Atmospheric CO2 levels have exceeded 422 ppm (as of 2024). CO2 dissolves in ocean water, forming carbonic acid, which lowers pH levels. Progress is needed to meet this goal.
Monitoring and progress
UNEP has created a detailed guide to help measure several indicators for Sustainable Development Goal 14. The guide explains that marine ecosystems are less understood than land-based ecosystems. This is because many marine ecosystems are far away, very large, and hard to reach. As a result, studying the ocean is costly.
Each year, the Secretary-General of the United Nations prepares a report to assess progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
In February 2017, a meeting called the Preparatory Meeting to the UN Ocean Conference was held in New York, United States. The meeting focused on how to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 14. International law, as shown in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), highlighted the importance of using rules to address human activities that occur outside the ocean. Discussions included concerns about harmful fishing practices and ocean pollution. The role of local communities in small island developing states (SIDS) and least developed countries (LDCs) was also considered, as oceans are a major part of their economies.
In 2020, it was estimated that only 2 percent of countries would meet Target 14 by 2030.
Challenges
Assigning Large-Scale Marine Protected Areas (LSMPAs) (at least 100,000 square kilometers in size) helps reduce the harm caused by overusing ocean resources, such as overfishing, and protects ocean ecosystems by limiting human activities in these areas. However, there are challenges that must be addressed to meet the goals of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14). These challenges include managing resources effectively, resolving disputes between neighboring countries, and balancing the needs of people with environmental protection. Managing resources well requires strong monitoring and enforcement of conservation rules. Disputes between countries often arise because LSMPAs may cover areas near borders where multiple nations are involved. Some countries may use LSMPAs to gain political advantages. Balancing people’s needs with environmental protection involves ensuring that local communities are supported fairly, as protected areas can harm local fishing industries and reduce income for people who depend on them.
Subsidies given to developing countries aim to help them compete with large fishing nations. However, if these subsidies lead to overfishing, they can harm the ocean’s ability to recover and provide resources long-term. These subsidies may only help reduce short-term poverty but not solve long-term problems. Monitoring the effects of subsidies is important to prevent overfishing. Agreements between countries are also necessary because ocean ecosystems span multiple nations. The World Trade Organization works to achieve Target 6 of SDG 14, which calls for ending subsidies that contribute to overfishing. This is because more than 93% of the world’s fish populations are already being fished to their limits. In 2022, the organization agreed that all countries must stop these harmful subsidies.
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the use of single-use plastics, such as masks, gloves, and sanitizer containers, especially in Africa. It is estimated that 12 billion single-use face masks are discarded each month, creating serious risks to human health and the environment due to poor waste management in some African countries. Developing sustainable ocean-based economies can help improve the lives of people, including those who are most vulnerable. SDG 14 receives the least long-term funding of all the Sustainable Development Goals. Reports suggest that $175 billion per year is needed to achieve SDG 14 by 2030. The UN Ocean Conference, held from June 27 to July 1, 2022, aimed to bring governments and other groups together to address this funding gap.
Links with other SDGs
Climate change affects marine ecosystems, which in turn influences many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Oceans and water sources worldwide are important for industries that provide food, income, and jobs for people. These goals include Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), Goal 5 (Gender Equality), Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation for all), Goal 8 (Responsible Consumption and Production), Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities), Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and Goal 13 (Climate Action).
Achieving SDG 14, which focuses on protecting life below water, helps progress toward these goals. For example, to reach Goal 1 (No Poverty), fishing policies must be managed to prevent overfishing, ensuring coastal communities can rely on fishing for their livelihoods. Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) connects to SDG 14 because protecting marine biodiversity is essential for future food security. Goals 1 and 2 also relate to Target 1.2, which aims to cut poverty in half by 2030. Women often depend on fishing for income and food, making fisheries vital for their economic stability.
To meet Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation for all), rules must be strengthened to reduce plastic pollution and stop microplastics from entering water sources and soil.
Goal 13 (Climate Action) is linked to Goal 14 because climate change and global warming directly harm oceans, such as through rising sea levels and ocean acidification.
SDG 14 is included in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
Some challenges exist between SDG 14 and social justice, especially with Goal 5 (Gender Equality). Balancing economic benefits and environmental protection is addressed in Target 14.5 through Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). While MPAs can improve food security, they are sometimes managed in ways that exclude women.