The One Ocean Science Congress (OOSC) 2025 will feature an innovative session titled Integrating PESTEL and Theory of Change for scalable Marine Ecosystem Restoration and Governance showcasing how the BlueMissionAA project integrates PESTEL analysis with Theory of Change (ToC) methodology to enhance marine ecosystem restoration governance in Atlantic and Arctic regions.

This approach builds on successful applications in EU projects like FutureMARES and ACTNOW by mapping political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal factors across the entire restoration journey—from initial inputs to long-term ecological impacts.

The framework’s strength lies in its comprehensive perspective: political and economic analysis determines feasibility and scalability; social assessment ensures community acceptance; technological evaluation identifies monitoring capabilities; environmental analysis informs adaptive management strategies; and legal frameworks, such as the EU Nature Restoration Law, can transform barriers into enablers across multiple dimensions.

By integrating PESTEL with ToC, BlueMissionAA creates structured pathways for actionable investments and governance proposals while enhancing ecological impact monitoring and alignment with EU policy goals. The methodology is adaptable across diverse geographical and political contexts, making it scalable from local marine protected areas to international ecosystem governance initiatives.

This flexibility supports the UN Decade of Ocean Science’s goal to provide adaptable solutions for diverse marine challenges, ensuring relevance to UNOC3 stakeholders with varied needs and priorities.

The session takes place on June 5 at the One Ocean Science Congress 2025 in Nice, France. Marine restoration practitioners, policy makers, and governance specialists are encouraged to attend.

More information available here.