| February 11th, 2025 | Highlights

Top 10 Trends 2024 report

The Norwegian Blue Forests Network continues its annual tradition of gathering experts to highlight the year’s most significant trends in blue forest research, management, and policy.

Blue forests faced growing pressures from climate change and anthropogenic activity. In recognition of their importance, as well as the importance of nature in general, there were a range of developments at the global, regional, national, and local level.

In Norway, Parliament passed a resolution calling on the government to develop a plan for the restoration of kelp forests. Work began on of the first marine ecosystem accounting pilot, and, for the first time, a fish species was granted protection status due to its importance for ecosystem balance.

Globally, countries submitted their first biodiversity action plans under the Kunming-Montreal Framework and began submitting updated climate commitments for the Paris Agreement. In Europe, the EU passed the Nature Restoration Law. There were also several country-level firsts. Japan, for example, included carbon sequestered by seagrass and macroalgae in its National Inventory Submission to the UNFCCC. Similarly, Greece became the first European country to ban bottom trawling in all MPAs.

Research underscored the complex interplay of stressors on coastal ecosystems, from kelp overgrazing to shifts in seagrass flowering, and mangrove distribution. Publications also enhanced our understanding on topics such as blue carbon, marine protection, “lurv”, connectivity, and ecosystem accounting for the ocean. Meanwhile, 2024 was a tough year for the kelp industry in Norway.

This report presents a selection of trends from 2024, as well as areas to watch in 2025 and beyond.

click here to download the report