Natural History Museum Backs Global Seaweed Protection Plan at COP31

An international launch

Scientists from London's Natural History Museum are helping launch a global effort to protect seaweed ecosystems at the COP31 climate summit on Saturday 14 November. The Global Seaweed Breakthrough brings together researchers, governments and other organisations to improve conservation, restoration and sustainable management. The museum announced the initiative on 13 November, ahead of a launch event at the Malaysian Pavilion. It is a collaborative programme rather than a new law or a single country's funding commitment.

Why seaweed matters

Seaweed habitats support marine wildlife, provide shelter for fish and other creatures, and contribute to healthy coastal ecosystems. Kelp forests in particular can form extensive underwater habitats. Seaweeds are also used in food, farming and industrial products. Scientists warn that warming seas and other environmental pressures threaten these systems. The museum's announcement cites research suggesting seaweed populations could decline substantially by the end of the century without effective protection.

A shared approach

The initiative is intended to connect work that is currently spread across countries and scientific disciplines. Conservation can involve monitoring changing sea temperatures, improving habitat mapping, restoring damaged areas and reducing pollution or other local pressures. Researchers hope shared evidence will help decision-makers distinguish promising interventions from measures that sound attractive but have not been tested. Different coastal environments will need different responses, so a universal solution is unlikely.

The UK's role

The Natural History Museum's participation highlights the contribution of British marine science to international environmental discussions. Museum researchers study biodiversity, collect long-term evidence and work with specialists outside the UK. Their involvement does not mean every coastal restoration project is being run from London. Instead, the museum is one partner in an international effort, with local organisations and governments responsible for much of the work in their own waters.

What happens at COP31

The launch is scheduled for 14:00 to 15:00 local event time on Saturday, with further academic and policy events planned for 17 November. Those meetings provide opportunities to share research and build partnerships. Announcing an initiative is an early step, however, and measurable conservation outcomes will require continued action and monitoring long after the summit. The precise commitments of individual participants may emerge as the programme develops.

The programme also highlights how marine conservation is linked to climate resilience. Healthy underwater habitats can help coastal biodiversity adapt to change, but their benefits depend on local conditions. Scientists will need sustained monitoring to demonstrate what works, where and for how long.

What to watch next

A useful test will be whether participating organisations publish clear targets, funding arrangements and progress measures. Readers should look for independently measured habitat recovery rather than assuming that a new campaign automatically restores ecosystems. The museum's official statement provides details of the launch and its scientific rationale. Source: Natural History Museum press release, 13 November 2026. Photograph: Erick Morales Oyola, Unsplash.