EU takes action

The EU & Marine Observing Infrastructures

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum."

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum."

The ocean is a major carbon sink, absorbing a significant share of anthropogenic CO₂ emissions. Long-term, near-real-time monitoring of ocean carbon fluxes is essential for assessing progress under the Paris Agreement and informing climate policy. However, significant observational gaps persist, particularly in regions lacking resources and infrastructure, limiting the reliability of global assessments. Technological advancements are improving the accuracy and efficiency of ocean carbon observations. Innovations in sensor technology, autonomous measurement platforms, and enhanced data processing are expanding monitoring capabilities. Strengthening international collaboration will be key to building a more comprehensive and policy-relevant global monitoring system – but more actions are needed to ensure the sustainability of this system. 

This event will discuss the following three points:

Scientists, policymakers, and industry leaders are invited to discuss how technology and international cooperation can enhance ocean carbon monitoring in support of global climate commitments.

The planetary boundaries concept defines nine critical environmental thresholds that humanity must not exceed to maintain Earth's stability and support life. Staying within these boundaries ensures a safe operating space for human civilization and the planet's ecosystems.

This approach hence allows us to identify critical thresholds for the Earth's environmental systems. By understanding these limits, we can in turn understand how to avoid irreversible damage, ensure sustainability, and guide policy decisions to protect the planet's stability for future generations. 

Among the nine identified planetary boundaries, one is dedicated to the ocean, emphasizing the critical consequences of its central role in regulating Earth's climate, focusing specifically on aspects of the ocean's visible zone. 

This session will challenge participants to extend the Planetary Boundaries framework into the ocean’s interior and all its domains from physics to biogeochemistry and biodiversity, so that it also represents the functioning and habitability of the planet more generally. 

An essential tool in this context is the emerging concept of an international framework for ocean indicators. This more inclusive perspective strengthens the scientific basis of SDG14.