Question 1

Why do marine resources matter to businesses?

Accepted Answer

Marine and coastal ecosystems underpin a vast range of business activities — from food and beverage supply chains that depend on fish and seafood, to pharmaceutical, cosmetic and materials companies that rely on marine-derived ingredients, to tourism, logistics and infrastructure businesses exposed to coastal and ocean risks. Marine biodiversity loss, ocean acidification, plastic pollution and overfishing all create material risks for businesses with marine dependencies, whether they operate at the coast or not.

Question 2

How does my business connect to marine ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

Most businesses have marine connections they are unaware of. Supply chains for food, ingredients, packaging, textiles and construction materials often link back to coastal or marine ecosystems. Freshwater systems also connect to marine health — pollution, nutrient run-off and water extraction in one part of a catchment can affect marine ecosystems downstream. Understanding your supply chain's connection to marine resources is the first step to managing your marine risk and impact.

Question 3

What is the SDG 14 goal and why is it relevant to business?

Accepted Answer

SDG 14 — Life Below Water — is one of the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. It calls for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas and marine resources. For businesses, SDG 14 is relevant because it signals regulatory and stakeholder expectations around marine impact, particularly in sectors with direct or indirect marine dependencies. Aligning with SDG 14 is increasingly expected by investors, customers and supply chain partners as part of broader nature and biodiversity strategies.

Question 4

How does marine biodiversity loss affect supply chains?

Accepted Answer

Marine biodiversity loss — driven by overfishing, habitat destruction, plastic pollution and climate change — disrupts the ecosystems that supply chains depend on. Fish stock collapses affect food supply chains. Coral reef degradation reduces coastal protection and tourism revenue. Ocean acidification affects shellfish and marine ingredient industries. As these pressures intensify, businesses with marine dependencies face growing physical supply chain risks, regulatory requirements and reputational exposure.

Question 5

How do I get the free Business & Marine Resources toolkit?

Accepted Answer

Everloop's free Business & Marine Resources Day Zero Toolkit is available to download from this page. Submit your email address using the form and the guide will be sent to your inbox. The toolkit is written by Everloop's sustainability experts and provides a jargon-free introduction to business-marine concepts and practical action frameworks.

Climate Risk Assessment

Get the Toolkit Now