Why do the oceans matter?

Covering over 70% of our planet, oceans produce more than half the oxygen we breathe, regulate our climate, and sustain the livelihoods of over 3 billion people. Yet warming waters, pollution, and habitat loss are accelerating. UBS Optimus Foundation is helping clients and partners mobilize capital, knowledge, and collaboration to protect life in and around our oceans.

From value unseen to value protected

The ocean contributes up to USD 3 trillion a year to the global economy - but its true worth to people and planet remains largely unaccounted for. UBS Optimus Foundation aims to help bridge this value gap, catalyzing investment and innovation to protect the ocean's natural capital.

Discover how philanthropy is driving the blue-nature transition in our new Blue Streak paper.

Experience the ocean like never before

Ocean with David Attenborough

UBS was proud to co-sponsor the World Premiere of “Ocean with David Attenborough".

This landmark documentary captures the beauty, fragility, and interconnectedness of life beneath water – reminding us why protecting the ocean is one of the defining challenges of our time.

Watch the trailer.

Building coastal resilience with UBS Climate Collective

The UBS Climate Collective brings together communities, scientists, and philanthropists to protect coastal ecosystems—nature’s frontline defense against climate change. In partnership with Ocean Titans, our documentary follows UBS clients and experts working alongside local leaders to restore and protect marine ecosystems.

Watch the film to discover what’s possible when private capital and community leadership come together.

How your philanthropy can drive ocean protection

Through UBS Optimus Foundation, our clients are helping protect one of the planet’s most vital ecosystems. By funding pioneering solutions and supporting innovative partnerships, we’re tackling the ocean health crisis at its source - from regenerating coastal habitats to driving investment in a sustainable blue economy. Together, we’re showing that philanthropy can unlock scalable change - linking science, finance, and communities for lasting ocean resilience.

  • Funding ocean conservation and blue carbon projects that protect coastal ecosystems and capture carbon.
  • Partnering with organizations such as Blue Marine Foundation to shape a sustainable ocean economy.
  • Supporting community-led restoration and resilience initiatives that safeguard livelihoods and biodiversity.
  • Catalyzing blended finance models to scale private and philanthropic investment in ocean protection.

Ambition Loop with Mangrove Breakthrough

From catalytic capital to commercial scale

Nigel Topping (Ambition Loop) and Ignace Beguin Billecocq (Mangrove Breakthrough) explore how early philanthropic investment can build the foundations - data, norms, collaborations - for larger-scale finance in ocean and climate solutions. They also highlight the role of UBS Optimus Foundation in enabling systemic, long-term impact.

Blue Marine Foundation

A springboard for ocean action

Kaija Barisa (Blue Marine Foundation) shares how the partnership with UBS Optimus Foundation is driving urgent marine conservation - starting today, not tomorrow. She highlights the critical role philanthropists can play in supporting solutions that benefit nature, climate, and communities, and calls for deeper engagement with NGOs and local actors to scale impact.

Insights and resources

Guide

Sea beyond the Blue

With this guide, we are bringing you over 20 years of experience in advising our clients on strategic philanthropy and the expertise of over 60 ocean experts, philanthropists, and changemakers who shared with us – and now with you – what they feel the priorities for ocean conservation are, what they have learned over the years, and their best tips to help you take impactful actions.

Solution

UBS Climate Collective

UBS Collectives brings you a choice of ready-made collectives focused on issues we're well placed to solve with you. Whichever you choose, you'll be joining a global network of philanthropists, experts and organizations who want to tackle an issue as much as you. By working together and combining your efforts, skills, and resources, you'll achieve more than could ever be possible alone.

Article

Blue Finance

The UBS Global Wealth Management CIO office adds the Blue Economy to its top five Longer-Term Investment themes, spotlighting ocean sustainability as a key growth frontier. With the sector expected to double in value by 2030, investors are urged to dive into this emerging opportunity.

Report

Big Blue Report

Mangrove area in Amazon region

Developed by Impact46, its learnings are based on the experience of the UBS Climate Collective over the last two years in South Asia. The report unpacks what we mean by #bluecarbon and stresses the key role nonprofits and philanthropy have in supporting the blue carbon ecosystem. Want to hear practical recommendations for philanthropists and investors interested in fostering Blue Carbon ecosystems?

Guide

On thin ice

On thin ice is a guide for all who wish to address climate change and combines the expertise of more than 40 climate experts, philanthropists and changemakers, with UBS´s twenty plus years of experience in advising clients on making an effective impact. Find out how you can make a difference.

Article

Blue nature is more

Interview with David Obura, Director of CORDIO East Africa and Chair of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, also known as IPBES.

Let’s restore the ocean, together

We’re here to support your journey – from first steps to collective leadership. Contact us to explore how we can make your philanthropy work smarter in protecting the ocean for generations to come.

Speak to our experts

Get guidance on how to give strategically for ocean impact

Join a collective

Collaborate with a group of donors from accross the globe focused on marine resilience

Access expert insights

Explore field-tested reports and guides to deepen your interest

Questions to ask yourself

Protecting the ocean requires all of us - governments, scientists, investors and philanthropists - to rethink how we value and support nature. These are some of the questions our clients and partners often ask themselves when exploring ways that their giving can help restore and protect the ocean.