Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic director focused on measurable results and operational excellence in maritime education. Integrates IMO/STCW regulations and ISO 21001/9001 f
Masters · 1600 h · 11 modules
Master's in Oceanic Climate Diplomacy
This program prepares you to lead climate action from an ocean perspective, a crucial but often underestimated area. You will learn to negotiate international agreements, understand the scientific complexities of marine climate…
Duration1600 h
FormatOnline
Starts23 November
Places20 / 20
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Programme overview
What is the Master’s in Oceanic Climate Diplomacy?
The Master in Ocean Climate Diplomacy
This program prepares you to lead climate action from an ocean perspective, a crucial but often underestimated area. You will learn to negotiate international agreements, understand the scientific complexities of marine climate change, and develop adaptation and mitigation strategies to protect our oceans. This program gives you the tools to become a change agent in global climate diplomacy.
Differential Advantages
- Interdisciplinary Approach: Combines ocean science, international law, economics, and climate policy.
- Negotiation Simulations: Participate in realistic simulations of international climate negotiations.
- Practical Case Studies: Analyze real-world cases of success and failure in ocean climate diplomacy.
- Expert Network: Connect with leaders in diplomacy, science, and marine conservation.
- Skills Development: Enhance your communication, negotiation, leadership, and strategic analysis skills.
Programme type
Master's Degree
Study mode
Online
Duration
1,600 hours
Modules
11
Start date
05-12-2026
Programme highlights
- Marine Climate Strategies: Master ocean policies and their impact on the fight against climate change.
- International Negotiation: Develop key skills for climate diplomacy in multilateral forums.
- Law of the Sea and Sustainability: Delve into the legal framework and practices for a sustainable ocean.
- Ocean Governance: Learn to design and implement effective policies for ocean management.
- Climate Leadership: Become a influential leader in global ocean diplomacy.
- Boost your career and contribute to a sustainable future with our Master's in Ocean Climate Diplomacy.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 11 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
The Nexus Ocean-Climate: Scientific Foundations for Diplomatic Negotiation
- The ocean as a global thermodynamic system: heat absorption, climate regulation and carbon cycle
- IPCC Reports on Oceans and Cryosphere: Interpretation of Scientific Data for Non-Scientific Negotiators
- Deoxygenation, heating and ocean acidification: ecological consequences and impacts on food security
- Dynamics of sea level rise and projections of territorial loss in coastal and island zones
- Points of non-return (tipping points) in marine ecosystems: coral reefs, ocean currents and ice blankets
- Evaluation of global ecosystem services and the economy of marine natural capital
- United Nations Sustainable Development Ocean Science Decade (2021-2030)
- Scientific Diplomacy: Integration of Indigenous, Local and Scientific Knowledge in Multilateral Reports
- Satellite Monitoring and Big Data Oceanic: Verification Tools for Treaty Compliance
- Analysis of scientific uncertainty and application of the precautionary principle in diplomatic decisions
02
International Law of the Sea (Convemar) in the face of climate change
- The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Convemar): Architecture, principles and gaps
- Regime of maritime zones: Territorial sea, adjoining zone, ZEE and continental shelf before the variation of the coastline
- Fixation and ambiguity of coastal baselines against sea level rise: fixed lines vs. mobile lines
- Protection and preservation of the marine environment (Part XII of Convemar): Obligations of States to climate change
- Advisory opinions before the International Court of the Law of the Sea (TIDM) on climate obligations
- International water regime (high sea) and the area: International Seabed Authority (ISA) and Marine Mining
- Sovereignty on Small Island Developing States (SIDs) Threatened by Total Submersion
- International responsibility of the State for cross-border damages derived from marine emissions
- Dispute settlement procedures at Convemar: Arbitration, TIDM and International Court of Justice (CIJ)
- Harmonization of Convemar with Multilateral Environmental Agreements (AAM)
03
Architecture of the multilateral system: UNFCCC, Paris Agreement and the Ocean Agenda
- History of the inclusion of the oceans in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
- The Ocean in the Paris Agreement: From inclusion in the preamble to the Ocean-Climate Dialogue Plans
- Integration of ocean action in nationally determined contributions (NDC) and long-term strategies
- COP mechanisms: dynamics of negotiation groups (G77+China, AOSIS, European Union, African Group)
- Transparency and Global Balance (Global StockTake): Evaluation of mitigation and adaptation targets
- Loss and damage governance in vulnerable coastal and island communities
- Synergies between the UNFCCC and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): Global Framework for Biodiversity Kunming-Montreal
- UN Sustainable Development Goals: Diplomatic Articulation Between SDG 14 (Underwater Life) and SDG 13 (Climate Action)
- The role of the United Nations Conference on the Oceans in the promotion of voluntary commitments
- Strategies of influence of international NGOs and civil society at global climate summits
04
Governance of areas outside the national jurisdiction and the BBNJ Treaty
- Background and negotiation process of the Biodiversity Treaty Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ)
- Creation and management of marine protected areas (AMP) on the high seas: international coordination mechanisms
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for projected activities in international waters under the BBNJ Treaty
- Marine Genetic Resources (RGM): Access, repatriation and fair and equitable distribution of benefits
- Marine technology transfer and capacity building in developing countries - legal rules and guarantees
- Institutional Mechanisms of the BBNJ Treaty: Conference of the Parties, Scientific and Financial Body
- Intersection of the BBNJ Treaty with the Fisheries Regulation of Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (OROP)
- Challenges of implementation, ratification and entry into force of the Treaty at the level of national legislation
- Monitoring, control and monitoring of compliance with environmental standards in high seas
- Negotiation case study: blockades, consensus and commitments adopted in the final text of the BBNJ
05
Decarbonisation of international maritime transport and the IMO
- Structure and mandate of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in the prevention of ship pollution
- Annex VI of the MARPOL Convention: Regulation of Emissions of Sulfur, Nitrogen and Greenhouse Gases (GHG)
- IMO Strategy for the Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships: Net Goals Zero by 2050
- Technical and operational indicators of energy efficiency: EEDI, EEXI and IIC in the global merchant fleet
- Market-Based Economic Instruments (MBM): Diplomatic Debate on the Global Carbon Rate
- Geopolitics of the marine fuels of the future: hydrogen, ammonia, methanol and port electrification
- Impact of IMO regulations on developing countries and small island states
- Polar Silk Route and opening of new Arctic waterways by melting: Governance and Polar Code
- Fair transition for seafarers and port workers to automation and decarbonisation
- Bilateral and regional negotiation: unilateral regulations (e.g. EU emissions trading system - EU ETS) vs. OMI
06
Geopolitics, Ocean Security and Climate Migration
- The reconceptualization of international security: oceanic resilience as a pillar of global peace
- Loss of sovereign territory, population displacements and the legal status of "climate refugees"
- Militarization and geopolitical disputes in strategic marine zones released by thaw (Arctic and Antarctica)
- Cross-border conflicts due to fish catch redistribution due to temperature migration
- Piracy, Illegal Fishing (IUU) and organised crime in vulnerable seas: Governance of maritime security
- The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) as a geopolitical pressure block in negotiations
- Critical marine infrastructure geopolitics: submarine data cables, pipelines and offshore wind farms
- Strategies for defence and military adaptation of naval infrastructures in the face of rising sea levels
- Mediation and Preventive Diplomacy Mechanisms in Disputes for Shared Marine Natural Resources
- Modelling of geopolitical scenarios to 2050 and 2100 under the impact of climate change on marine borders
07
Blue carbon diplomacy, emissions markets and ocean financing
- Definition and scope of blue carbon in climate diplomacy: mangroves, marshes and sea grasses
- Coastal Carbon Accounting under IPCC Guidelines for National GHG Inventories
- Integration of blue carbon in the market mechanisms and non-market of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement
- Negotiations for the standardisation of blue carbon credits in the voluntary carbon market
- Debt-for-nature swaps and blue bonds for conservation financing
- The Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the ease of adaptive financing for coastal projects
- Environmental and social safeguards for the protection of coastal communities in blue carbon projects
- Negotiation of Fisheries Subsidies in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and its environmental impact
- Raising private capital through combined financing schemes for marine projects
- Diplomatic mechanisms for the creation of the Global Fund for the Loss and Damage of the Oceans
08
Techniques of international negotiation, media and diplomatic oratory
- Multilateral Negotiation Theory: Zero Sum Strategies, Interest Integration and Consensus Seeking
- Drafting of diplomatic documents: treaties, summit statements, verbal notes and resolutions
- Analysis of power dynamics at the negotiation table: leadership, vetoes and ad hoc coalition creation
- Time management and pressure tactics in the final phases of negotiation at multilateral summits
- Strategic communication strategies in public diplomacy and media relations
- Spokesperson, media crisis management and draughting of press releases amid tense negotiations
- Diplomatic oratory, use of non-verbal language and filing of national statements
- Booking language, bracketing and keyword diplomacy in the writing of final texts
- Multichannel Diplomacy (Track II Diplomacy): Role of Universities, Think Tanks and Private Sectors
- International Diplomatic Protocol, Label and Intercultural Negotiation in UN Forums
09
Marine intervention engineering and ocean geoengineering regulations
- Definition and types of ocean geoengineering: iron fertilization, alkalinization and capture of $CO_2$ dissolved
- Governance and legal regime of geoengineering under the London Convention and Protocol
- Global Environmental Risk Assessment and the Principle of Not Causing Damage to Ocean Geoengineering
- Diplomatic Conflict on Commercial Experimentation of Marine Carbon Removal on the High Seas
- Assessment of the cross-border impact of ocean-based climate modification projects
- Mechanisms of international scientific supervision for the authorization of field tests
- Intellectual property and patents of ocean carbon capture technologies in the international arena
- Global Public Perception and Opposition Movements to Marine Geoengineering
- Bilateral Cooperation Agreements for Investigation Responsible for Deoxygenation and Marine Capture
- Development of a multilateral regulatory framework for emerging climate restoration technologies
10
Capstone Project: Simulation and Design of an International Ocean-Climate Agreement
- Assignment of diplomatic roles (states, multilateral blocks, NGOs, industry) for a real negotiation scenario
- Geopolitical research and draughting of the initial position document (Position Paper) of the assigned delegation
- Formulation of proposals for legal articles on the delimitation of dynamic borders and conservation of blue carbon
- Development of the inaugural session: filing of national declarations and fixing red lines of negotiation
- Bilateral, multilateral and corridor meetings (informal informals) for the search for alliances
- Simulated Crisis Management: Emerging of a Cross-Border Conflict During the Negotiation Process
- Drafting of the draught treaty (draught text) and resolution of discrepancies using the bracket technique
- Negotiation of the financial package, technology transfer mechanisms and compensation for loss and damage
- Adoption by consensus or vote of the final text of the International Ocean-Climate Treaty in the plenary session
- Evaluation of diplomatic performance, analysis of the agreements reached and final defence of the project report
11
Master’s Final Project in Oceanic Climate Diplomacy
- Choice of topic and definition of the research problem
- Formulation of objectives, hypotheses and scope of work
- Review of the state of the art and specialised bibliography
- Analysis of the applicable regulatory and technical framework
- Design of the methodology and the work plan
- Data collection, processing and validation
- Technical development and analysis of results
- Discussion, conclusions and future lines of work
- Drafting of the memory in accordance with academic standards
- Presentation and public defence before the Court
Workload
Study Time and Workload
1600 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
Maritime and fisheries professionals seeking to understand the impact of climate change on the oceans and strategies to mitigate it.Diplomats and international negotiators interested in specializing in ocean governance and climate policy.Environmental and sustainability policymakers who need tools to implement nature-based solutions in the marine environment.Researchers and academics who wis
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
Verified reviews
Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Leading successful ocean climate negotiations
- 02Mobilize financial resources for ocean adaptation
- 03Promote ocean policies based on scientific evidence
- 04Building coastal resilience through innovative solutions
- 05Promote international cooperation for sustainable ocean governance
- 06Empowering coastal communities in ocean climate action
Careers
Career Opportunities
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02Diplomat specializing in ocean climate: Negotiation in international forums, development of climate policies.
03Advisor to international organizations: Technical support in the implementation of ocean climate agreements, policy analysis.
04Ocean sustainability consultant: Environmental impact assessment, design of climate change adaptation strategies in coastal areas.
05Ocean climate project manager: Planning, execution, and monitoring of climate change mitigation and adaptation projects in the marine environment.
06Climate change and ocean researcher: Data analysis, climate modeling, publication of scientific studies.
07Sustainability manager in maritime sector companies: Implementation of sustainable practices, emissions reporting, waste management.
08Science Educator/Communicator: Disseminating knowledge about ocean climate change and raising public awareness.
09Public Policy Analyst: Developing and evaluating policies related to ocean management and climate change.
Questions
Entry Requirements
The main focus is the intersection between diplomacy, climate change and the oceans, empowering professionals to address the challenges and opportunities of ocean governance in a climate change context.
Yes. The itinerary includes ECDIS/Radar-ARPA/BRM with harbor, ocean, fog, storm, and SAR scenarios.
Online with live sessions; hybrid option for simulator/practical placements through agreements.
Diplomacy is crucial to addressing climate change in the ocean context, as it facilitates the international cooperation needed to manage the impacts of climate change on the oceans, such as acidification, sea level rise and biodiversity loss, as well as to promote joint solutions, including emissions reduction, ecosystem-based adaptation and sustainable management of marine resources.
Recommended functional SMCP. We offer support materials for standard phraseology.
Yes, with a relevant degree or experience in maritime/port operations. The admissions interview will confirm suitability.
Optional (3–6 months) through Companies & Collaborations and the Alumni Network.
Simulator practice (rubrics), defeat plans, SOPs, checklists, micro-tests and applied TFM.
A degree from Navalis Magna Institute + operational portfolio (tracks, SOPs, reports and KPIs) useful for audits and employment.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
```htmlAcademic/Professional Profile:Bachelor's/Undergraduate degree in Environmental Science, International Relations, Law, Economics, Oceanography, Political Science, or a related field; or demonstrable professional experience in the areas of diplomacy, ocean management, climate change, or public policy.Language Proficiency:Proficiency in Spanish and English (C1 level recommended). Other languages, especially French, will be considered an asset.Documentation:Updated CV, copy of university degree, academic transcript, ID/Passport, cover letter (maximum 1 page), letters of
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