In this column, the general manager of Këtrawa, María José Urrutia, refers to the country’s opportunities to boost innovations that regenerate the ocean while fighting climate change.
Imagine an ocean not only as a victim of climate change, but as the protagonist of its solution. While the world seeks urgent alternatives to limit global warming, the sea offers us answers that we have not yet taken advantage of.
Chile, with its extensive coast, unique ecosystems and scientific leadership, has the opportunity to become a global actor in climatic blue technologies: innovations that regenerate the ocean while fighting climate change.
Recently, I participated in the International Forum “Green Investment in Latin America and the Caribbean, solutions with global reach” in Magallanes, organized by the IDB and the government of Chile. With the presence of President Buric and the president of the IDB, Ilan Goldfajn, it was clear that Chile has a strategic role in regional sustainability and the ocean must be at the center of that strategy, but this opportunity requires immediate action.
This issue will be the protagonist at the United Nations Conference on the Ocean, which will be held in June 2025. Chile must reach that scenario not only with commitments, but with a concrete oceanic climate solutions map.
The ocean as climatic solution
The ocean has absorbed more than 90% of excess global heat and a third of anthropogenic CO₂. This buffer function has generated thermal stress, acidification and deoxygenation, affecting habitats, species and coastal livelihoods, destabilizing the climate system on a planetary scale.
But the ocean also offers solutions. According to the high -level panel for a sustainable oceanic economy, about 35% of climate action around 2050 could be covered by marine media.
Additionally, emerging technologies, such as marine carbon removal (MCDR), including the cultivation of micro and macroalgae, and oceanic alkalination, among others, offer enormous potential to remove carbon in a last -scale lasting way, as long as their safety and efficiency are backed by quality scientific and technological research.
From Patagonia Ocean Hub, an initiative of the United Nations Ocean, we propose a blue abundance agenda for Chile, focused on restoring the health of the ocean to combat climate change and sustainably accelerate the prosperity of our regions.
This strategy is based on three pillars:
Investment in regenerative innovation
Companies such as Kelp Blue, which cultivate macroalgas on the high seas to capture carbon and regenerate ecosystems, are making their way to an oceanic regenerative bioeconomy. Its model, already underway in Namibia, offers valuable lessons for Chile, where species such as Huiro Palo and Cochayuyo have high potential as natural carbon sinks and sustainable coastal development engines.
In parallel, initiatives such as Carbonrun, in Canada, demonstrate how to restore the health of basins and reduce acidity also strengthens the resilience of river and coastal ecosystems, increasing its biodiversity and productive capacity.
Enabling and responsible regulation
Chile needs regulatory frameworks that allow research and testing of oceanic technologies with transparency and participation.
Countries like Canada, Iceland, and Norway have managed to climb sustainable ocean industries with effective normative frameworks. Chile can adapt these learning to its reality, including pilot areas for MCDR.
Financing and Territorial Integration
To advance, financial instruments are required that prioritize solutions with environmental, climatic and social benefits. Canada, through Ocean Supercluster, has shown how alliances between government, industry and communities can accelerate coastal innovation.
Chile could boost a similar model in Patagonia, with potential at national scale.
Action from the south
The Blue Week Los Lagos 2025, which will be held from May 12 to 17, will be a strategic space to activate this agenda: science, investment, communities and government gathered to boost a regenerative vision of the ocean from southern Chile.
Chile has the capacity, experience and geographical wealth to position itself as a leader in sustainable ocean solutions. The opportunity is here and the time to act is now. Entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs, researchers, activists and decision makers: let’s make our strategy for the ocean and the planet.
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