Course description

This training aims to support ocean practitioners in understanding how biodiversity and climate science-knowledge can be integrated into Marine/Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP), contributing to a healthy, productive and resilient Ocean. It builds on the key insights from the new volumes of the MSPglobal International Guide on Marine/Maritime Spatial Planning (Volume 2 – Biodiversity Inclusive Principle and Volume 3 – Climate-smart Principle), translating technical guidance into an accessible, practice-oriented training. 

During the course, learners will have the opportunity to examine the ecological connections between biodiversity and climate systems and how these interactions influence ocean health and human wellbeing. The course also reviews the main global and regional biodiversity and climate frameworks calling for action and explores the role of MSP in helping countries meet these commitments. Structured around the phases of the MSP process, the training offers recommendations, examples, and practical tools for embedding biodiversity and climate considerations at each stage. Emphasis is placed on inclusive governance, the integration of diverse knowledge systems, and effective communication approaches. 

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, learners will be able to:

1. Explain the foundations of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and the Ecosystem-Based Approach (EBA), and summarize how they contribute to sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience.

2. Explain the connections between marine biodiversity, climate systems, and human wellbeing, and identify examples of nature-based solutions that contribute to adaptation and mitigation.

3. Recognize key global and regional biodiversity and climate frameworks (such as the CBD, GBF, UNFCCC, and SDGs) and explain how MSP can support national implementation of these global commitments.

4. Relate recommendations and practical approaches for integrating biodiversity and climate considerations across the different phases of the Marine Spatial Planning process. Explain how inclusive and equitable governance principles contribute to effective MSP, and recognize opportunities for meaningful participation of rights-holders, Indigenous Peoples, and Local Communities.

5. Summarize the key messages about integrating biodiversity and climate considerations in MSP and communicate them appropriately in the context of inclusive governance and stakeholder engagement.

Audience

Delivered as a self-paced online course with open enrollments, this training is designed for ocean practitioners, such as:
Marine and maritime planners, policymakers, government officials, technical experts, practitioners involved in ocean governance, civil society representatives, scientists, and postgraduate students.

Course content

The course is structured into eight modules:

• Module 0 – Welcome and course orientation

• Module 1 – Foundations and evolving needs of Marine Spatial Planning

• Module 2 – Ecosystems, climate pressures, and nature-based solutions

• Module 3 – Global and regional biodiversity and climate policy frameworks

• Module 4 – The Ecosystem-Based Approach as common ground

• Module 5 – Key elements of biodiversity-inclusive and climate-smart MSP

• Module 6 – Integrating biodiversity and climate across the MSP process

• Module 7 – Inclusive governance and communication

Learning activities include short lessons, reading materials, videos, interactive knowledge checks, scenario-based questions, and guided self-assessment reflections.

Learner assessment

Learner progress is assessed through formative assessment methods, including auto-graded knowledge check quizzes (to test understanding of key concepts and connections), scenario-based questions, and ungraded self-assessment reflection activities (reflection tasks that invite learners to relate course content to their work context). End-of-module knowledge checks combine factual recall and applied reasoning and confirm readiness to progress.A final knowledge revision quiz is used to confirm course completion.

Certificate

A certificate of completion wil lbe issued to learners who meet the cousre completion criteria, in accordance with OTGA cerfication procedures. This means that participants need to complete every lesson (not sequently), activity and assessment and achieve a minimum score of 70 % on the fianl knowledge revision quiz. Filling in the course feedback survey is mandatory to obtian the course certificate.

Prerequisities

No formal prerequisites are requirement. The course is designed for participants with varying levels of prior knowledge and concepts are introduced progressively.

Language

 English

Technicalities

• Computer access, basic computer skills, stable internet connection.

• No specialised software is required. 

• Computer with Windows or Mac OS 

• Latest version of either Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari web browsers 

• JavaScript and cookies enabled 

• Broadband internet access (minimum bandwidth of 0.5 Mbps (Receive and Send) 

• Speakers or headphones, Microphone 

Instructors

• Catarina Fonseca - IOC Consultant, MSPglobal Expert on Conservation & Climate Change
• Niccolò Bassan - IOC, MSPglobal Associate Officer

Hours

20 hours 

How to enrol: Please register on the OceanExpert website (www.oceanexpert.org). Once your OceanExpert account is approved (this is not done immediately), you can self-enrol in the course. If you already have an OceanExpert account, you can self-enrol in the course using your OceanExpert username and password. Enrolment is possible till 30 December 2026 23: 59 CET

First log-in OceanTeacher, then access the course page and click on self-enrolment.

course link: https://classroom.oceanteacher.org/course/view.php?id=1190

The enrolment key for the course is: BiodiversityMSP_ENG

For any questions please contact the OTGA Secretariat (ioc.training@unesco.org) always using the name of the course as email subject.

There are no tuition fees. 

Feedback survey: At the end of the course, you will be asked to fill out a feedback survey. This information will be used to improve future courses.

Cancellation policy:

In the event of cancellation of the course by the OTGA or its affiliates, we will provide notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date. In the event of cancellation by the attendee, we should receive notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date.