On 9 February 2026, One Planet Port submitted a response to the European Commission’s Call for Evidence on the European Ocean Act – a legislative proposal set for release in 2026 that will provide a unified governance framework for all EU ocean policies.
Why ports matter for ocean governance
Dr Lucy Gilliam, co-founder of One Planet Port, emphasizes: “Almost every environmental pressure on the oceans begins and ends through port activities—from shipping to oil extraction, fisheries to mining.”
Yet ports remain poorly regulated, and their role in protecting ocean health is rarely acknowledged. As a science-based organization focused on aligning port strategies with planetary boundaries, One Planet Port calls for an integrated EU ocean governance framework that fully recognizes ports as key actors in ocean health.
Our key recommendations:
- Unified governance. Bring ports and maritime sectors under one coherent ocean governance framework that prioritizes ocean protection.
- Comprehensive environmental footprints. Document, regulate, and actively reduce the full environmental impact of European ports and maritime shipping.
- Spatial impact assessments. Embed environmental impact assessments of port-enabled activities in the Ocean Act and revised Maritime Spatial Planning Directive.
- Planetary-aligned decarbonization. Accelerate wind propulsion, truly sustainable maritime fuels, and tenant climate mitigation – aligned with planetary boundaries, not just carbon targets.
- Regenerative port-city zones. Scale nature-based solutions and circular zones at the port-city interface while setting limits on spatial expansion.
One Planet Port joined 700+ organizations from civil society, academia, and policy in responding to the EU’s Call for Evidence. Together, we’re pushing for ocean governance that recognizes ports not as exceptions – but as central actors in ocean health.
Read our full submission here.