EMB Policy Brief 13 on "Navigating the Future VI: The Ocean’s role in addressing global crises" summarises the main messages of EMB Position Paper 28 "Navigating the Future VI: Placing the Ocean within the wider Earth system". The flagship EMB Navigating the Future foresight series provides periodic reviews of the current state of knowledge in marine science and gives strategic direction regarding the upcoming challenges and needs in marine science and policy. Navigating the Future VI considers the natural and social marine science needed to help us address the challenges facing the planet and the collaborations needed to co-construct solutions.