Chapter 02 · Nature, land & waterWater, Waste & Pollution
Marine resources
Definition
Marine resources are the living organisms, genetic materials, minerals, energy, water, habitats, ecosystem services and ecological functions associated with marine and coastal systems and used, affected or depended upon by people and organisations.
References
This reference provides supporting context for how “Marine resources” is defined and used.
Overview
How it is used
The term appears in product design, procurement, footprinting, material selection, production and end-of-life decisions, where designers, manufacturers, procurement teams, life-cycle practitioners and waste managers use it to classify, assess or communicate living and non-living resources, ecosystem services and ecological functions associated with oceans and coastal environments.
Its correct use depends on the product system, life-cycle stages, functional unit, geography, timeframe and measurement method.
Why it matters
“Marine resources” matters because it influences how product and material impacts are measured, compared and reduced. If its boundary or evidence is unclear, different users may reach incompatible conclusions while appearing to use the same language.