From Canal to Catalyst: Big Moves in Ocean Climate Leadership at the Nature Summit in Panama

5 月 21, 2025

2:10 下午

PANAMA CITY, PANAMA – May 21, 2025

Today’s Nature Summit in Panama delivered a clear message: the ocean economy is no longer a niche conversation — it’s a core pillar of global climate strategy. Held at the Biomuseo, the event brought together ministers, business leaders, scientists, and climate advocates for a full day of panels, fireside chats, and networking. While a lot happened, here are the moments that stood out most.

The Panama Canal is Going Green

One of the most compelling sessions focused on the Panama Canal. Often seen simply as a logistical marvel, it’s now being positioned as a major player in the global shift to a sustainable economy. Felipe Chapman (Minister of Economics & Finance) and Canal Administrator Ricaute Vásquez discussed bold plans for decarbonization, water resilience, and green shipping corridors. If implemented at scale, these initiatives could reshape the canal’s role in international trade and climate action.

Rethinking Carbon at Sea

A panel hosted by the Latin American Development Bank dug into the IMO’s new carbon levy and how it might transform maritime shipping. Experts from Maersk, the Panama Maritime Authority, and regional organizations shared insights on how this policy could open the door to new funding mechanisms for climate mitigation and resilience — particularly in coastal and island nations.

Mangroves: The Quiet Climate Powerhouse

In a fireside chat moderated by SDG News’ Dylan Welch, Kim Noguera Gabrielli (CEO of Worldview International Foundation) spotlighted mangroves as one of the most undervalued tools in climate adaptation. With carbon markets now recognizing the value of blue carbon, these coastal ecosystems are finally getting the attention—and investment—they deserve.

Rights of Nature: A Different Kind of Climate Advocacy

One of the more heartfelt and thought-provoking moments came from Callie Veelenturf, National Geographic Explorer and Executive Director of The Leatherback Project. Her spotlight talk centered on the Rights of Nature — a growing movement to recognize ecosystems as legal entities with intrinsic rights. Framing conservation through a lens of moral obligation and legal innovation, Callie challenged the audience to reimagine our relationship with the natural world not just as stewards or investors, but as allies.

Nature as an Asset Class

The afternoon also featured a forward-thinking panel on reimagining nature not just as something to protect, but something to invest in. Leaders from the PVBLIC Foundation, Kinesis Money, and Blue Green Future discussed how ecosystems can be treated as real financial assets—something that could fundamentally shift how conservation is funded and scaled.

Navigating the Deep Sea

Another topic that sparked debate was deep sea mining. While some view it as the next big opportunity in sustainable development, others raised red flags about environmental risks and lack of governance. The conversation showed just how complex the intersection of innovation and conservation has become.

As the day closed, it was clear that Panama is stepping into a leadership role—not just as a host, but as a hub for the future of ocean-based climate solutions. With high-level partnerships forming and new frameworks taking shape, the Nature Summit didn’t just talk about the blue economy. It helped shape what comes next.