Over the past decades, our ocean has absorbed more than 90% of the excess heat in the climate system and between 20-30% of CO₂ which produces acidification affecting marine life resources. It also plays a central role in climate change. The ocean is also a major driver of the global economy, carrying more than 90% of world trade and sustaining the 40% of humanity that lives within 100km of the coast. The ocean is vulnerable and impacted by our actions.

Recognizing this, National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) and researchers regularly monitor the ocean and how it is changing, modelling how it affects the atmosphere and delivering a wide variety of marine services, including supporting coastal management and Safety of Life at Sea. Today, the growing impacts of climate change are making ocean observations, research and services more critical than ever before.