Theme 1: Port decarbonisation initiatives

Ports are a vital, indispensable part of maritime countries for movements of peoples and good. However, they are also a huge producer of emissions.

The challenge:

How can ports dramatically cut carbon emissions without slowing down trade?

Your idea could involve:

1. Clean energy systems or alternative fuels

2. Smarter logistics, digital tools, or AI

3. Incentives, policies, or business models that actually get adopted

4. Collaboration between ports, shipping companies, cities, and communities

Theme 2: Marine pollution control

From plastics to oil spills to invisible chemical runoff, marine pollution is one of the toughest problems to solve—and one of the most urgent.

The challenge:

How can we prevent, detect, or clean up marine pollution in a way that’s scalable and enforceable?

Your idea could focus on:

1. Prevention at the source (ports, ships, cities, industries)

2. Monitoring and early-warning systems

3. Cleanup technologies or circular economy solutions

4. Policies or incentives that change behavior—not just awareness.

Theme 3: Nature-based coastal protection

How can nature itself become our strongest defense against coastal erosion, flooding, and sea-level rise?

Your idea could include:

1. Mangroves, wetlands, reefs, dunes, or hybrid solutions

2. Community-driven or Indigenous knowledge approaches

3. Financing models that make nature-based solutions attractive to investors

4. Policies that encourage cities and ports to work with nature

NOTE:

Across all themes, proposals are encouraged to articulate clear Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) value propositions, including measurable outcomes, institutional arrangements, and financial viability. Solutions that demonstrate scalability, replicability, and relevance for emerging and maritime economies will be particularly valued.