The bill would authorise federal funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to invest in solutions to greenhouse gas emissions and conservation of coastal communities, as well as outline a national policy to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030.

Lise Aangeenbrug, executive director of OIA, said: “This landmark proposal leverages the power of conservation to combat climate change and positions our coastal communities to be an integral part of the solution.

“Further, it focuses on establishing social and economic criteria to ensure our public lands and waters remain accessible, where appropriate, to all Americans and the businesses that rely on them. It is essential to have the right balance between conservation and providing Americans the access they need to thrive outside and participate in our robust outdoor recreation economy.”

OIA’s 2020 Policy Platform, released in October 2020, supports the swift scale-up of natural climate solutions as a strategy for climate mitigation and climate resilience across a variety of lands, waters and habitats.

The bill awaits consideration by the House Committee on Natural Resources.