WHAT WE FUND

SEVEN BIG BETS

ORCA focuses on seven “big bet” opportunities to accelerate-ocean climate action and deliver meaningful, lasting impact at scale.

These pillars were identified and developed by leading ocean and climate philanthropies in close collaboration with grantee partners, drawing on deep scientific, policy and community expertise from across the globe

A person snorkeling underwater, wearing a mask and fins, swimming above a coral reef with a school of fish in the background, sunlight filtering through the water.

  • Each pillar is led by trusted organisations who drive the strategy forward and assemble the partners needed to deliver it.

  • The pillars operate from the High Arctic to the tropics, united by a core belief in the vital role of the ocean and coastal communities in tackling the climate emergency.

  • The seven pillars span everything from restoring blue carbon habitats and advancing responsible marine carbon removal to strengthening ocean diplomacy and empowering coastal communities to manage and protect the resources that sustain them.

  • The seven pillars run from 2024 to 2028 and target high-impact ocean–climate opportunities where progress is both essential and achievable: cutting emissions, drawing down carbon, strengthening ecosystems and supporting frontline communities.

A large cargo ship docked at a port with multiple cranes and containers, under a partly cloudy sky during sunset.

MITIGATION

Our grantees are cutting emissions at scale by accelerating offshore wind in emerging markets, decarbonizing global shipping, and fighting the expansion of offshore oil and gas. These interventions unlock some of the fastest, most feasible and highest-impact emissions reductions available to us today.

Offshore wind
Shipping
Underwater scene with seaweed and various fish, including a large fish swimming near the center, and a school of smaller fish in the background.

SEQUESTRATION

Our grantees are conserving and restoring blue carbon habitats that lock away huge stores of carbon, nurture marine life and protect vulnerable coastlines from storm surges. And because nature alone cannot meet the scale of the challenge, our grantees are also driving the science, governance and safeguards needed for responsible ocean-based carbon removal, building the knowledge, tools and standards to ensure emerging approaches develop safely, ethically and on a climate-relevant timescale.

Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal
Blue Carbon +
A woman in colorful clothing, including a headscarf, skirt, and sandals, is bent over, using a stick to hunt for octopus on a reef flat, under a clear blue sky.

ADAPTATION

Our grantees are strengthening the resilience of communities and ecosystems on the frontlines of climate breakdown. This includes supporting Indigenous-led Arctic protection, securing coastal tenure and rights in the Majority World, and resourcing community-driven initiatives that protect food security, biodiversity and livelihoods.

Coastal Frontline
Arctic
Multiple country flags hanging on strings against a cloudy sky, including flags of Australia, Argentina, Guyana, Bangladesh, Tanzania, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and others.

DIPLOMACY

Our grantees are elevating the ocean-climate agenda on the global stage. Through coordinated diplomacy, communications, and political engagement, they help ensure ocean-based solutions are embedded in Nationally Determined Contributions, and advanced through global climate negotiations and high-level fora, unlocking policy shifts that accelerate progress across every pillar.

Diplomacy

7 PILLARS

  • Northern lights over snow-capped mountains and ocean, night sky with stars.

    ARCTIC CONSERVATION

    Safeguarding ecosystems and Indigenous livelihoods

    DIVE DEEPER
  • A man in a brown jacket and wide-brimmed hat is standing in a body of water, holding a large fish. Two boats are nearby in the water, with a backdrop of trees and a cloudy sunset sky.

    BLUE CARBON+

    Protecting and restoring mangroves, seagrass, saltmarsh and kelp

    DIVE DEEPER
  • Two elderly people, a man and a woman, are repairing fishing nets. The woman is wearing a purple hijab, while the man is wearing a white shirt.

    COASTAL FRONTLINE INITIATIVE

    Strengthening community resilience and securing tenure rights

    DIVE DEEPER
  • Aerial shot of a sandy coastline with clear green water and artisanal fishing vessels pulled up on the foreshore

    MARINE CARBON REMOVAL

    Strengthening the science & governance needed for responsible and inclusive ocean-based carbon removal

    DIVE DEEPER
  • A white wind turbine against a clear blue sky.

    OFFSHORE WIND

    Enabling fast, fair & responsible development in emerging markets

    DIVE DEEPER
  • A large cargo ship with colorful containers sailing in calm waters under a partly cloudy sky.

    DECARBONIZING SHIPPING

    Accelerating zero-emission fuels, ports and policy frameworks

    DIVE DEEPER
  • Two fishermen sitting on traditional round basket boats on a beach at sunset, with fishing boats anchored in the background under a cloudy sky.

    OCEAN-CLIMATE DIPLOMACY

    Embedding ocean priorities in global climate policy

    DIVE DEEPER

Equity runs through every pillar. Frontline and Indigenous partners lead and shape the work, ensuring that those most affected by climate breakdown drive the solutions, and share in the benefits.