about us

With a membership representing nearly 300 million people and 366,414 kilometres of coastline, the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification (OA Alliance) brings together governments and organizations from across the globe dedicated to taking urgent action to protect coastal communities and livelihoods from the threat of ocean acidification and other climate- ocean impacts.

The OA Alliance was launched at the 2016 Our Ocean Conference by four subnational governments in direct response to some of the first observed impacts of ocean acidification on oyster hatchery production across the North American West Coast during the mid-2000s.

Today, more than 130 members across 22 countries represent a diversity of national, state, municipal, and sovereign tribal, indigenous, and First Nation governments along with many dedicated affiliate partners like NGOs, seafood industry leaders, and local academia.

Together, OA Alliance members are:

  • Elevating urgency and ambition for climate action.

  • Integrating ocean actions across climate commitments and frameworks.

  • Translating knowledge into policy actions and investments.

A CALL TO ACTION

The OA Alliance’s founding “Call to Action” was agreed to by the original signatories in 2016.   

By joining the OA Alliance and endorsing the Call to Action, members commit to creating a unique OA Action Plan that addresses one or more of the goals within the OA Alliance’s Call to Action.

Mission

Transform planning and response to climate-ocean change.

Vision

To increase ambition for climate action and ensure resilience of marine ecosystems and coastal communities.

Leadership

OA Alliance Executive Committee

Executive Committee accept appointment for a term of 12-months, with the option to extend service in 1-year increments at the invitation of the Secretariat. Membership includes up to to 15 government members of the OA Alliance ; and up to 4 affiliate members of the OA Alliance (this includes foundations or intergovernmental organizations).

Duties include:

  • Set the long-term goals and commitments of the OA Alliance.

  • Review and approve the annual work plan and budget.

  • Provide input on OA Alliance programming to advance the work plan (webinars, trainings, meetings, tools and products).

  • Represent the OA Alliance, and their government or affiliation’s leadership, experience, and priorities at international meetings, workshops and other learning exchanges.

  • Set the direction for OA Alliance activities at high-level international ocean and climate events.

The Secretariat will rotate the composition of the Executive Committee every year in such a way that maintains regional geographic diversity and jurisdictional diversity, striving for a blend of national, provincial, state, Tribal and city members.

OA Alliance Advisory Body

Members of the Advisory Body accept appointment for a term of 12-months, with the option to extend service in 1-year increments at the invitation of the Secretariat. Members includes up to 8 non-government members or partners of the OA Alliance.

Duties include:

  • Provide input and identify collaborations (where applicable) across OA Alliance programming.

  • Promote the OA Alliance’s work and shared goals (where applicable) at international meetings, workshops and other learning exchanges.

  • Provide advice and guidance on OA Alliance activities pertinent to Ad Hoc Committee themes.


The Secretariat will rotate the composition of the Advisory Body every year in such a way that maintains diversity of expertise, areas of influence and perspectives.

OA Alliance Secretariat and Executive Director

The OA Alliance is a hosted initiative at the United Nations Foundation. In keeping with the Foundation’s goal of building and nurturing new innovations and initiatives, the partnership is designed to maximize OA Alliance’s impact, strengthen its organizational durability, and further contribute to climate-ocean leadership across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The OA Alliance Executive Director, Jessie Turner, sets the strategic direction of the OA Alliance and develops and carries out annual programming, including contributions to international convenings. She also establishes partnerships across a variety of disciplines and coalitions, deploys communications strategies across multiple scales, and supports members in the development of practicable ocean acidification adaptation and resilience strategies.

“Washington state has already experienced the ravages of climate change and it is impacting the health of our ocean, our economy, and our communities. Up and down the coast of our state, ocean acidification has damaged shellfish aquaculture production, while marine heat waves and harmful algal blooms threaten to cripple fisheries, tourism and wildlife.

Our decisions matter and it is critical we act fast to reduce carbon pollution.”

— Governor Jay Inslee, Washington State, USA

Brand and Communications Guidelines

Strong branding and communication advance our mission and help members leverage their work and leadership.

the need

progress reports