After over a decade of international efforts to include the ocean in the policy discussions at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change ( UNFCCC ) annual Conference of the Parties ( COP ), the ocean has finally been included by, inter alia , a reference to ‘ocean-based action’ in a series of COP outcomes, notable among which is the cover decisions known as the ‘Glasgow Climate Pact’. This article provides the necessary background to the inclusion of the ocean in COP 26 outcomes, including the Pact, and examines key issues, impacts and shortfalls of the Pact and other COP 26 outcomes, including mitigation, adaptation, finance and human rights. It concludes with suggestions for priority research areas moving forward.