OUR IMPACT 2025
From local to global campaigns, our local teams in nine countries around the Pacific Rim worked with allies and stakeholders to secure real victories this year for people and the planet.
OCeAn COnseRvATIOn
Thailand and Vietnam join oceans treaty
Our advocacy efforts with allies led to Thailand signing the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Treaty in April 2025 and Vietnam ratifying in June 2025. This treaty provides a much-needed framework for protecting ocean areas beyond coastal areas.
New 30x30 ocean protection commitments in Southeast Asia
The effort of our team and allies secured national implementation plans for the historic 30x30 UN Global Biodiversity Framework toward protecting
Businesses take action on single-use plastics in key Chinese markets
More than 200 chain and independent companies in the high-profile, to-go beverage sector took the “eco-cup pledge” in several Chinese megacities including Chongqing in response to our campaign. This encouraged related e-commerce sites to implement their own measures to reduce SUP. This strategy aims to showcase the viability of moving beyond plastics for government regulators and drive a sectoral transition.
ARCTIC PROTeCTIOn
Full year of initial ban on the dirtiest of fuel oils in the Arctic
The ban on the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil by ships in the Arctic completed its first full year and enters fully into force in 2029. Our team campaigned for many years for this ban and was instrumental in its passage.
Inuit gain status at the IMO
The Inuit Circumpolar Council became the first Indigenous organization to achieve Consultative Status at the UN’s IMO. Since 2017, Pacific Environment hosted Indigenous representatives from ICC at the IMO and advocated for their status to ensure Indigenous nations are present at negotiations.
Polluting scrubber systems bans, fall out of favor for ships in the Arctic Pacific Environment and partners have achieved bans on polluting scrubber water discharge from ships in Denmark, Sweden and Finland this year, in addition to the bans already underway in Iceland and Norway. Bans are also soon to enter into force for countries signatory to the OSPAR Convention
ClIMATe And eneRgy
EPA greenlights zero-emission maritime shipping pathway for California
After years of advocacy from Pacific Environment and allies, in January the EPA approved a regulation that paves the way for zero-emission harbor craft such as ferries, tugboats and workboats in California. As the world’s fourth largest economy with major shipping hubs, the state’s action creates global momentum. This rule will also save an estimated 530 lives and protect 9.7 million from elevated levels of air pollution.
Global shipping’s Net Zero Framework approved
In April, the UN’s International Maritime Industry passed the world’s first carbon tax on a global industry. For nearly 15 years, Pacific Environment has campaigned as a key advocate at IMO meetings and with delegates around the globe for bold action on climate and marine ecosystem protection. Along with allies, our international team has been instrumental in this achievement-even as there is much more to ensure the framework is fully adopted.
Breakthrough for Offshore Wind in South Korea
Wind energy is vital to the clean energy transition, and in March South Korea adopted the Special Act on Offshore Wind, marking a significant breakthrough in the country’s clean energy transition. Pacific Environment played an important role in this victory, convening academics, ports, industry, and governments to align renewable energy efforts.
