Programme

Coastal Futures Conference 2026

From ambition to action

28th & 29th January, London and online

   

It is the largest marine and coastal conference of its kind in the UK and convenes different sectors to discuss critical developments and concerns. The conference has a firmly established reputation, attracting >780 delegates, 25 sponsors and 50+ speakers and chairs.

Leading organisations across government, industry, consultants, academia, NGOs and the voluntary sector are invited to submit proposals to either present a talk in one of the six theme sessions or a poster.


Outline programme and themes

Conference details

The ocean underpins our climate, our economy, and our well-being. Yet rising demand for space and resources makes the future of our seas more contested than ever. Coastal Futures 2026 will bring together leaders and practitioners from across sectors to move beyond ambition and into action, navigating our
shared future by exploring the policies, partnerships, and innovations needed to deliver a thriving ocean for all.

Outline themes:

Shared stewardship: Exploring the collaborative efforts needed to manage our ocean and coasts. This theme  will highlight how different sectors — government, industry, NGOs, academics, and coastal communities — can work in partnership on sustainable resource management through place-based approaches, moving away from fragmented efforts.

Balancing blue growth: How can society balance economic development, such as offshore renewable energy, shipping and aquaculture, with the need to protect marine ecosystems and minimise pollution? This theme explores the challenges and opportunities of the growing blue economy.

Coastal resilience & community well-being: Centring on the connection between the health of our rivers and seas and the well-being of coastal communities. The theme will address how society can adapt to climate change while ensuring sustainable livelihoods. We want to highlight the work of those building bridges and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities.

Innovating for a healthy ocean: Highlighting the role of science, technology, and finance in creating a sustainable ocean future, this theme will explore how new solutions and innovative financial tools can support policy development, marine conservation, improve ocean management, and drive the restoration
of degraded habitats.

Planning our ocean space: Delving into the complexities of planning and sharing space both inshore and offshore, we will examine how to effectively allocate space for various uses — from offshore wind, fishing, cables, shipping lanes and protected areas to aggregate extraction sites. This theme will highlight the planning tools and approaches needed to reduce conflict and promote a more sustainable and equitable use of the ocean.

Action & accountability: Focusing on turning ambition into reality, this theme will address the policy frameworks, legal instruments, and accountability mechanisms – both public and private sector – needed to ensure that commitments to ocean sustainability are met, and that progress is monitored and reported on.

Coastal Futures 2026 sets out to answer these questions and cover the major themes in the estuarine, coastal and marine sectors. Across two days, the conference aims to challenge thinking and move debate forward in an informative and collaborative way.


The OCF Bob Earll Award 2026:
Outstanding contribution to ocean and coastal management

This year’s award is focussed on inclusive leadership and community engagement: recognising an individual(s) whose leadership has demonstrably fostered greater inclusion and community engagement. The Award celebrates those who are building bridges between diverse groups, breaking down barriers, and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities to participate in and benefit from ocean stewardship.

OCF are pleased to invite nominations for the Bob Earll Award 2026, to be presented at the Coastal Futures conference on 28th January.

Nominations via an online form, will close at 12:00 GMT on 7 November 2025.

Nomination form


2025
Coastal Futures 2025: The path to 2030

This and all previous conference material, including programme, delegate notes, session recording and slides are in the conference archive.