IntroductionAquaculture has the potential to provide a growing global population with high-quality and low emission proteins, yet its climate impacts and vulnerabilities remain poorly understood and addressed. While the sector has made progress in sustainability, a gap persists between high-level climate commitments and practical, on-the-ground action, particularly in measuring emissions, protecting ecosystems, and building resilience. Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) is addressing these challenges through a comprehensive Climate Strategy, designed to provide clarity, tools, and frameworks for producers, supply chains, and stakeholders.
MethodologyThe strategy was developed through a multi-stakeholder process, engaging producers, NGOs, scientists, policymakers, and financial institutions. Workshops, consultations, and targeted research identified key barriers to climate action, including limited emissions data for most species, knowledge gaps, and financial constraints. The resulting strategy is structured around three interconnected pillars, each addressing a critical aspect of climate-smart aquaculture.
Strategy Pillars
Measurement and Reporting: The first pillar focuses on establishing a clear, standardized understanding of the industry's greenhouse gas emissions. ASC has developed a GHG calculator to measure and benchmark emissions by species and production system, providing producers with the data needed to assess their climate footprint and set informed baselines for future action. This foundational work prioritizes transparency and accountability, enabling the sector to move from uncertainty to evidence-based decision-making.
Mitigation through Ecosystem Protection and Restoration: The second pillar advances mitigation by protecting and restoring critical ecosystems. ASC is strengthening our farm and feed standards for habitat conservation, such as mangrove and seagrass protection, as well as terrestrial systems like forests and grasslands. By aligning with global biodiversity goals and collaborating with conservation partners, this pillar ensures that mitigation efforts are both effective and ecologically beneficial.
Adaptation and Resilience: The third pillar addresses the urgent need for practical, actionable resilience. ASC's strategy includes risk assessment frameworks, capacity-building programs, and financial innovations to help producers and supply chain actors prepare for climate-related challenges. Knowledge-sharing platforms will facilitate the exchange of best practices, ensuring that resilience efforts are collaborative, adaptive, and grounded in real-world needs.
ImplementationWith the strategy finalized, ASC is now focused on operationalizing the three pillars in collaboration with industry and stakeholders. This includes supporting producers in adopting measurement tools, integrating ecosystem protection into standards, and rolling out resilience initiatives. Monitoring and evaluation will ensure the strategy remains responsive to emerging challenges and opportunities.
ConclusionASC's Climate Strategy represents a transformative step toward a climate-resilient aquaculture sector. By focusing on transparency, ecosystem protection, and adaptivity, the strategy provides a clear, actionable framework for producers and supply chains to understand their climate impacts, mitigate risks, and build resilience. This presentation will outline the strategy's development, pillars, and next steps, inviting collaboration to accelerate climate action in aquaculture.