We are observing large changes in our marine environment that are driven in part by climate change and that are predicted to continue into the future. Mitigating and adapting to these changes will present significant challenges for decision makers. Providing sound scientific advice is an integral part of this process and is the primary goal of the Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership (MCCIP) and this, its first Annual Report Card (ARC). The UK has set out a vision for "clean, safe, healthy, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas", yet as recently as2005, the Defra publication Charting Progress was unable to assess the potential impacts of climate change on the UK's marine environment. MCCIP has come together to inform key decision makers about these issues.