Photo by Krzysztof Kowalik

Marine protected areas can only achieve long-term effectiveness if climate considerations are deeply embedded in their design, management and governance, according to new research published in npj Ocean Sustainability. The study identifies critical scientific, governance and socio-economic dimensions required for making MPAs “climate-ready” as ocean warming and other climate impacts intensify.

Drawing on structured expert workshops across Europe, researchers outlined four strategic priorities: improving ecological monitoring and climate-informed spatial planning, embedding equity and participatory governance, aligning legal and institutional frameworks across sectors and scales, and securing sustainable long-term financing.

Experts emphasised that for MPAs to be resilient to future climate impacts and support adaptation in coastal and marine environments, they must be ecologically robust, socially inclusive, supported by coherent governance frameworks and capable of adapting to changing ocean conditions.

Workshop participants noted that despite progress in understanding climate-driven changes in marine ecosystems, key knowledge gaps remain, particularly in applying this knowledge to MPA management. Data gaps in species, carbon cycles, connectivity and baseline indicators were rated as most critical concerns.

Financing limitations emerged as a cross-cutting barrier across both socio-economic and governance dimensions. Long-term, reliable funding is central to climate-readiness, as MPAs without sustained resources for monitoring, enforcement and community engagement risk rapidly losing ecological and social effectiveness under intensifying climate pressures. Participants pointed to promising developments including payment for ecosystem services schemes, climate adaptation and mitigation funds, and community-based financing models. The Green Finance Institute and the EU Blue Invest initiative were identified as essential instruments to unlock finance for enhanced marine conservation.

Traditional, rigid conservation approaches may not be feasible in many contexts, particularly where governance arrangements are complex and institutional mandates are inflexible. Instead, participants emphasised that incremental forms of adaptive and flexible management offer more realistic pathways towards climate-readiness in the near term. Examples discussed included seasonal or event-triggered closures during spawning periods or marine heatwaves, adaptive zoning that can be periodically reviewed and adjusted, and use of ecological thresholds to guide management responses.

Equity and justice considerations featured prominently in workshop discussions. Without fair distribution of benefits and transparent, inclusive decision-making, MPAs risk exacerbating existing inequalities, particularly around expansion of no-take zones and the absence of clear compensation or benefit-sharing mechanisms for communities whose livelihoods may be disproportionately affected. Participatory governance structures were viewed as critical to ensure adaptation strategies remain socially legitimate and grounded in local realities.

The research generated eleven recommendations categorised by urgency and role in implementation as foundational, enabling or long-term strategic actions, providing a pathway for strengthening climate-readiness of MPAs in Europe and beyond.