Master’s degree1,500 h · Online · 11 modules
Master's in Ocean Climate Diplomacy
This master's prepares you to lead climate action from an ocean perspective, a crucial but often underestimated field. You will learn to negotiate international agreements, understand the science of marine climate change and develop adaptation and mitigation strategies to protect the ocean, gaining the tools to become an agent of change in global climate diplomacy.
Duration1,500 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules11
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About the program
What is the Master's in Ocean Climate Diplomacy?
This master's prepares you to represent countries, organizations and civil society in the negotiations that shape the future of the ocean and the climate. You will learn to interpret IPCC science on warming, acidification and sea level rise, to apply UNCLOS to shifting coastlines and climate obligations, to navigate the UNFCCC, the Paris Agreement, NDCs and the Global Stocktake, to work with the BBNJ Agreement and IMO decarbonisation rules, to assess ocean security and climate migration, and to use blue carbon, blue bonds and climate funds as diplomatic tools.
What sets this master's apart: an interdisciplinary approach combining ocean science, international law, economics and climate policy; in-depth coverage of the key regimes, from UNCLOS and ITLOS advisory opinions to BBNJ, MARPOL Annex VI and Article 6 of the Paris Agreement; practical training in negotiation, drafting, bracketing and diplomatic public speaking; a dedicated module on the regulation of ocean geoengineering; and an integrative project that simulates the full negotiation of an ocean-climate treaty, followed by the Final Project.
Program typeMaster’s degree
ModeOnline
Duration1,500 hours
Modules11
Start1 December
Program highlights
- Ocean-climate science for negotiators: IPCC findings, tipping points and the precautionary principle.
- Law of the sea and climate: UNCLOS, baselines and sea level rise, ITLOS and state responsibility.
- Multilateral regimes: UNFCCC, Paris Agreement, BBNJ, IMO and the WTO fisheries subsidies talks.
- Geopolitics and security: Arctic routes, critical subsea infrastructure and climate-driven migration.
- Ocean finance: blue carbon, Article 6, blue bonds, debt-for-nature swaps and the Green Climate Fund.
- Negotiation simulation: from position paper to the adoption of an ocean-climate treaty.
Syllabus
Syllabus of the Master's in Ocean Climate Diplomacy
11 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Module 1
The ocean-climate nexus: scientific foundations for diplomatic negotiation
- 1.1. The ocean as a global thermodynamic system: heat uptake, climate regulation and the carbon cycle
- 1.2. IPCC reports on the ocean and cryosphere: interpreting scientific data for non-scientist negotiators
- 1.3. Ocean deoxygenation, warming and acidification: ecological consequences and impacts on food security
- 1.4. Sea level rise dynamics and projections of territorial loss in coastal and island areas
- 1.5. Tipping points in marine systems: coral reefs, ocean currents and ice sheets
- 1.6. Valuing global ecosystem services and the economics of marine natural capital
- 1.7. The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030)
- 1.8. Science diplomacy: integrating indigenous, local and scientific knowledge into multilateral reports
- 1.9. Satellite monitoring and ocean big data: verification tools for treaty compliance
- 1.10. Analyzing scientific uncertainty and applying the precautionary principle in diplomatic decisions
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 2
The international law of the sea (UNCLOS) and climate change
- 2.1. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS): architecture, principles and climate gaps
- 2.2. The regime of maritime zones: territorial sea, contiguous zone, EEZ and continental shelf as coastlines shift
- 2.3. Fixing baselines in the face of sea level rise: fixed versus ambulatory baselines
- 2.4. Protection and preservation of the marine environment (UNCLOS Part XII): state obligations on climate change
- 2.5. Advisory opinions before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) on climate obligations
- 2.6. The high seas and the Area: the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and deep-sea mining
- 2.7. Sovereignty of small island developing states (SIDS) threatened by total submergence
- 2.8. State responsibility for transboundary harm from marine emissions
- 2.9. Dispute settlement under UNCLOS: arbitration, ITLOS and the International Court of Justice (ICJ)
- 2.10. Harmonizing UNCLOS with multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs)
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 3
The multilateral system: UNFCCC, the Paris Agreement and the ocean agenda
- 3.1. History of how the ocean entered the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
- 3.2. The ocean in the Paris Agreement: from the preamble to the Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue
- 3.3. Integrating ocean action into nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and long-term strategies
- 3.4. How the COP works: the dynamics of negotiating groups (G77 and China, AOSIS, European Union, African Group)
- 3.5. Transparency and the Global Stocktake: assessing marine mitigation and adaptation goals
- 3.6. Governance of loss and damage in vulnerable coastal and island communities
- 3.7. Synergies between the UNFCCC and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
- 3.8. The UN Sustainable Development Goals: diplomatic links between SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 13 (Climate Action)
- 3.9. The role of the UN Ocean Conference in driving voluntary commitments
- 3.10. Influence strategies of international NGOs and civil society at global climate summits
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 4
Governance of areas beyond national jurisdiction and the BBNJ Agreement
- 4.1. Background and negotiating process of the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ)
- 4.2. Establishing and managing marine protected areas (MPAs) on the high seas: international consensus mechanisms
- 4.3. Environmental impact assessment (EIA) for planned activities in international waters under the BBNJ Agreement
- 4.4. Marine genetic resources (MGRs): access, benefit sharing and fair and equitable distribution
- 4.5. Transfer of marine technology and capacity building in developing countries: rules and legal safeguards
- 4.6. Institutional arrangements of the BBNJ Agreement: Conference of the Parties, scientific and financial bodies
- 4.7. Interplay between the BBNJ Agreement and the rules of regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs)
- 4.8. Challenges of implementation, ratification and entry into force in national legislation
- 4.9. Monitoring, control and surveillance of compliance with environmental rules on the high seas
- 4.10. Negotiation case studies: deadlocks, consensus and compromises in the final BBNJ text
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 5
Decarbonising international shipping and the IMO
- 5.1. Structure and mandate of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in preventing pollution from ships
- 5.2. MARPOL Annex VI: regulation of sulfur, nitrogen and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
- 5.3. The IMO strategy on reduction of GHG emissions from ships: net zero by or around 2050
- 5.4. Technical and operational energy efficiency indicators: EEDI, EEXI and CII in the world merchant fleet
- 5.5. Market-based measures (MBMs): the diplomatic debate on a global maritime carbon levy
- 5.6. Geopolitics of future marine fuels: hydrogen, ammonia, methanol and port electrification
- 5.7. Impact of IMO regulations on developing countries and small island states
- 5.8. The Polar Silk Road and new Arctic shipping routes opened by melting ice: governance and the Polar Code
- 5.9. A just transition for seafarers and port workers facing automation and decarbonisation
- 5.10. Bilateral and regional negotiation: unilateral regulation (such as the EU Emissions Trading System) versus the IMO
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 6
Geopolitics, ocean security and climate migration
- 6.1. Rethinking international security: ocean resilience as a pillar of global peace
- 6.2. Loss of sovereign territory, forced population movement and the legal status of climate-displaced people
- 6.3. Militarisation and geopolitical disputes in strategic marine areas opened by melting ice (Arctic and Antarctic)
- 6.4. Transboundary conflicts over redistribution of fish catches as species shift with temperature
- 6.5. Piracy, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and organized crime in vulnerable seas: maritime security governance
- 6.6. The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) as a geopolitical pressure bloc in negotiations
- 6.7. Geopolitics of critical marine infrastructure: subsea data cables, pipelines and offshore wind farms
- 6.8. Defense strategies and adaptation of naval infrastructure to sea level rise
- 6.9. Mediation and preventive diplomacy in disputes over shared marine natural resources
- 6.10. Modeling geopolitical scenarios for 2050 and 2100 under climate change impacts on maritime boundaries
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 7
Blue carbon diplomacy, emissions markets and ocean finance
- 7.1. Definition and scope of blue carbon in climate diplomacy: mangroves, salt marshes and seagrass meadows
- 7.2. Coastal carbon accounting under IPCC guidelines for national GHG inventories
- 7.3. Integrating blue carbon into the market and non-market mechanisms of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement
- 7.4. Negotiating standards for blue carbon credits in the voluntary carbon market
- 7.5. Debt-for-nature swaps and blue bonds to finance conservation
- 7.6. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) and adaptation finance for coastal projects
- 7.7. Environmental and social safeguards to protect coastal communities in blue carbon projects
- 7.8. Negotiations on fisheries subsidies at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and their environmental impact
- 7.9. Mobilizing private capital through blended finance for marine projects
- 7.10. Diplomatic mechanisms for creating a global fund for ocean loss and damage
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 8
International negotiation techniques, media and diplomatic public speaking
- 8.1. Multilateral negotiation theory: zero-sum strategies, integrating interests and building consensus
- 8.2. Drafting diplomatic documents: treaties, summit declarations, notes verbales and resolutions
- 8.3. Power dynamics at the negotiating table: leadership, vetoes and ad hoc coalitions
- 8.4. Time management and pressure tactics in the final stages of multilateral summits
- 8.5. Strategic communication in public diplomacy and media relations
- 8.6. Acting as spokesperson, managing media crises and writing press releases during tense negotiations
- 8.7. Diplomatic public speaking, non-verbal language and delivering national statements
- 8.8. Reservation language, bracketing and the diplomacy of key words in drafting final texts
- 8.9. Multi-track diplomacy (Track II): the role of academia, think tanks and the private sector
- 8.10. International diplomatic protocol, etiquette and intercultural negotiation in UN forums
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 9
Marine intervention engineering and the regulation of ocean geoengineering
- 9.1. Definition and types of ocean geoengineering: iron fertilization, alkalinity enhancement and capture of dissolved CO2
- 9.2. Governance and legal regime of geoengineering under the London Convention and Protocol
- 9.3. Assessing global environmental risks and the no-harm principle in ocean geoengineering
- 9.4. Diplomatic conflict over commercial marine carbon removal experiments on the high seas
- 9.5. Assessing the transboundary impact of ocean-based climate intervention projects
- 9.6. International scientific oversight mechanisms for authorizing field trials
- 9.7. Intellectual property and patents for ocean carbon capture technologies at international level
- 9.8. Global public perception and opposition movements to marine geoengineering
- 9.9. Bilateral cooperation agreements for responsible research on deoxygenation and marine carbon capture
- 9.10. Developing a multilateral regulatory framework for emerging climate restoration technologies
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 10
Integrative project: simulation and design of an international ocean-climate agreement
- 10.1. Assigning diplomatic roles (states, multilateral blocs, NGOs, industry) for a realistic negotiation scenario
- 10.2. Geopolitical research and drafting the initial position paper of the assigned delegation
- 10.3. Proposing legal articles on dynamic boundary delimitation and blue carbon conservation
- 10.4. The opening session: delivering national statements and setting negotiating red lines
- 10.5. Bilateral and multilateral negotiations and corridor meetings (informal informals) to build alliances
- 10.6. Simulated crisis management: a transboundary conflict emerging during the negotiation
- 10.7. Drafting the treaty text and resolving disagreements through bracketing
- 10.8. Negotiating the financial package, technology transfer mechanisms and loss and damage compensation
- 10.9. Adopting the final text of the international ocean-climate treaty by consensus or vote in plenary
- 10.10. Assessing diplomatic performance, analyzing the agreements reached and final defense of the project report
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 11
Final Project
- 11.1. Choosing the topic and defining the research problem
- 11.2. Objectives, hypotheses and scope
- 11.3. Review of the state of the art and specialist literature
- 11.4. Analysis of the applicable regulatory and technical framework
- 11.5. Methodology and work plan
- 11.6. Data collection, processing and validation
- 11.7. Technical development and analysis of results
- 11.8. Discussion, conclusions and future lines of work
- 11.9. Writing the final report to academic standards
- 11.10. Presentation and defense before the assessment panel
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your pacePlan your pace
Duration and format of the Master's in Ocean Climate Diplomacy
It is 1,500 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
29
months to finish
125 weeks
weeks in total
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.
Faculty
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives
Objectives of the Master's in Ocean Climate Diplomacy
01Lead successful ocean climate negotiations, understanding the international legal framework and geopolitical dynamics in order to build strategic alliances.
02Mobilize financial resources for ocean adaptation through innovative public-private partnerships and investment in coastal resilience and nature-based solutions.
03Promote evidence-based ocean policies by supporting multidisciplinary research and communicating results to inform decision-making.
04Build coastal resilience through innovative solutions such as early warning systems and evacuation protocols adapted to extreme climate scenarios.
05Foster international cooperation for sustainable ocean governance through strategic alliances with intergovernmental organizations and NGOs.
06Empower coastal communities in ocean climate action by supporting community-led blue economy projects focused on sustainability and resilience.
Careers
Career opportunities after the Master's in Ocean Climate Diplomacy
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Master's in Ocean Climate Diplomacy
The intersection of diplomacy, climate change and the ocean, preparing you to address the challenges of ocean governance in a changing climate.
The ocean absorbs most of the excess heat and a large share of carbon emissions, while acidification, sea level rise and biodiversity loss demand international cooperation on mitigation, adaptation and resource management.
No. The first module explains ocean-climate science and IPCC findings specifically for negotiators and policy professionals without a scientific background.
Yes. Full modules deal with the BBNJ Agreement and with MARPOL Annex VI, the IMO GHG strategy, efficiency indicators and market-based measures.
Yes. You train in negotiation, drafting, bracketing and public speaking, and the integrative project simulates the full negotiation and adoption of an ocean-climate treaty.
The integrative project is a negotiation simulation of an international agreement, while the Final Project is an individual piece of applied research presented and defended at the end of the program.
Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with live sessions that are recorded and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The master's comprises 1,500 hours of study across 11 modules of about 136 hours each and ends with the Final Project. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.
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Admission process
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Entry requirements
- Profile: diplomats and international negotiators, environmental and sustainability policy officers, maritime and fisheries professionals, researchers working at the intersection of climate, ocean and diplomacy, and NGO and civil society representatives. A degree in environmental sciences, international relations, law, economics, oceanography or political science, or proven experience in diplomacy, ocean management or climate policy, is recommended.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with a camera and microphone, a stable internet connection and an up-to-date browser for live sessions and negotiation simulations.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
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