Ocean Impacts Nearly Double Social Cost of Carbon, Study Finds

Mar 10, 2026, 2:51 AM

Climate Change Economy Research Innovation

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A groundbreaking study led by researchers at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography has revealed that incorporating climate-driven damage to the ocean into the social cost of carbon (SCC) nearly doubles its estimated value. This finding underscores the significant economic harm that climate change inflicts on marine ecosystems, which has been largely overlooked in previous assessments.

The social cost of carbon is a metric used to quantify the economic damage associated with each ton of carbon dioxide emissions. Traditionally, this calculation has focused primarily on land-based impacts, neglecting the ocean's vital role in supporting global economies and ecosystems. The new research introduces the concept of the "blue" social cost of carbon, which captures damages to coral reefs, fisheries, and coastal infrastructure.

Until now, many of the economic impacts of climate change on the ocean, such as coral reef degradation and fisheries decline, remained invisible in standard climate-economic models. This study, published in Nature Climate Change, aims to fill that gap by assigning monetary values to these previously unaccounted ocean impacts.

Key Findings of the Study

The study conducted by Scripps researchers estimates that the inclusion of ocean-related damages raises the total social cost of carbon to $97.2 per ton of CO₂, a nearly 91% increase from the previous estimate of $51 per ton. The research indicates that the additional ocean-related damages account for about $46.2 per ton, translating to nearly $2 trillion in ocean-related damages from global carbon emissions in just one year.

The economic damages are projected to be substantial, with market losses anticipated to reach $1.66 trillion annually by 2100, while losses related to non-use values, such as the intrinsic worth of marine ecosystems, are estimated at $224 billion. Non-market use values, including the nutrition derived from fisheries, add another $182 billion to the annual losses.

Importance of Ocean Accounting in Climate Policy

The new framework for the blue social cost of carbon provides crucial insights for policymakers and industry leaders aiming to incorporate environmental considerations into cost-benefit analyses. Climate scientist Kate Ricke emphasized the need for understanding the trade-offs society faces in environmental decision-making, particularly as the ocean's myriad benefits are challenging to quantify in monetary terms.

By highlighting the ocean's economic contributions and vulnerabilities, the study advocates for the inclusion of ocean impacts in climate policies. This is especially critical since poorer regions and small island nations, which depend heavily on marine resources for sustenance and income, face disproportionate losses from climate change.

The research demonstrates that failing to account for ocean damages results in systematically underestimated social costs of carbon, which can lead to inadequate climate policies and insufficient carbon pricing. For comparison, current carbon prices in major markets hover around €70-80 per ton, suggesting a need for significantly higher prices to reflect the true costs when ocean impacts are included.

Conclusion

The findings from this study signify a pivotal shift in how the economic impacts of climate change are assessed. By integrating ocean damages into the social cost of carbon, researchers have illuminated the extensive, often hidden, costs of carbon emissions on marine ecosystems and the people who rely on them. As policymakers strive to address climate change more effectively, adopting this comprehensive approach could lead to more informed decisions and greater protection for both ocean health and human wellbeing.

The study's authors hope that their findings will encourage further research and policy revisions that recognize the essential role of the ocean in global climate dynamics. By putting a price tag on the harm caused to ocean ecosystems, the blue social cost of carbon provides a valuable tool for evaluating the true economic ramifications of greenhouse gas emissions.

The full paper, "Accounting for Ocean Impacts Nearly Doubles the Social Cost of Carbon," is available in Nature Climate Change and serves as a call to action for integrating ocean health into climate economics.

Ocean Impacts Nearly Double Social Cost of Carbon, Study Reveals

A groundbreaking study highlights that integrating ocean impacts into the social cost of carbon nearly doubles its economic valuation. The findings emphasize the necessity of including marine ecosystem damages in climate policy as these costs can significantly influence global emissions strategies.

Accounting for Ocean Impacts Nearly Doubles Social Cost of Carbon

A recent study reveals that integrating ocean damage into the social cost of carbon nearly doubles the estimated economic harm from carbon emissions. This 'blue' social cost of carbon accounts for significant losses to marine ecosystems and infrastructure, emphasizing the need for more comprehensive climate policy.

Ocean Impacts Nearly Double the Social Cost of Carbon, Study Reveals

A new study from Scripps Institution of Oceanography reveals that accounting for ocean-related damages nearly doubles the social cost of carbon, raising it from $51 to $97.2 per ton of CO2. The findings highlight the urgent need to integrate marine ecosystem impacts into climate policy and economic assessments.

Incorporating Ocean Impacts Nearly Doubles Social Cost of Carbon

A groundbreaking study reveals that accounting for ocean damage in climate economic models nearly doubles the social cost of carbon emissions from $51 to $97.2 per ton. This increase highlights the significant economic damages caused by climate change on marine ecosystems, emphasizing the need for revised climate policies.

New Study Nearly Doubles Social Cost of Carbon by Including Ocean Impacts

A groundbreaking study from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography reveals that factoring in ocean damages nearly doubles the social cost of carbon, increasing it from $51 to $97.2 per ton. This new 'blue' social cost of carbon highlights significant economic losses tied to climate change, particularly affecting island nations and coastal communities.