Ocean projects endorsed as part of the UN Ocean Decade
Two international projects involving SMHI’s oceanographers have been designated as “Decade Projects” as part of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development: CodeBlue and DTO4OWE (Digital Twin of the Oceans for Offshore Wind Energy).
– This is a major milestone for our work towards a sustainable blue economy, says Elin Almroth Rosell, coordinator of the CodeBlue research project. The project aims to increase the knowledge needed for sustainable marine management of the Baltic Sea and the North-East Atlantic, particularly with regard to eutrophication.
CodeBlue is a unique international research project to combat eutrophication, involving 13 countries around the Baltic Sea and the North-East Atlantic.
Eutrophication remains a serious problem for the Baltic Sea and the North-East Atlantic. The problems of eutrophication are largely caused by humans releasing too many nutrients into the sea, such as nitrogen and phosphorus.
The long-term aim of the CodeBlue project is to provide information that makes policy more effective, so that a sustainable plan can be developed which also reduces the risk of unnecessary costs in the future.
Recognition that could open doors to more projects
The designation, awarded by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), means a great deal to the project:
– This is truly a mark of recognition and proof that they believe what we are doing is important for the ocean, says Elin Almroth Rosell, project coordinator at SMHI’s Oceanographic Research Unit.
– SMHI, which coordinates CodeBlue, is also gaining greater international visibility. Hopefully, this can lead to even more collaborations in the future, participation in various consortia, and more research through new projects. With greater visibility, more networking and more research, we can disseminate more knowledge that can bring real benefits to society, says Elin Almroth Rosell.
Elin Almroth Rosell.
24 projects recognised
The award was given to 24 research and innovation projects co-funded through the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (SBEP).
The selected projects span a broad spectrum of themes to support sustainable maritime spatial planning and marine management, and are divided into four priority areas: applications of ‘Digital Twins of the Ocean’; multi-purpose marine infrastructure and sectors within the blue economy; maritime spatial planning; and blue bio-resources.
A digital twin of the ocean for offshore wind energy
In addition to CodeBlue, SMHI is involved in another project that has received this award: the DTO4OWE (Digital Twin of the Oceans for Offshore Wind Energy) project. This project brings together stakeholders from academia, industry, government and the public to tackle the challenges associated with the growing offshore wind energy (OWE) sector. With over 300 planned offshore wind farms in EU waters over the coming decade, questions arise regarding their potential impact on marine ecosystems. On the other hand, the energy sector requires relevant, high-quality marine data to plan its offshore operations up to 50 years ahead in a changing climate. The DTO4OWE project tackles these two contrasting yet interlinked themes using Digital Twins of the Oceans (DTO).
More about CodeBlue External link.
More about DTO4OWE External link.
More about the award: Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership Expands Its UN Ocean Decade Portfolio with 24 New Projects External link.
The UN Decade of Ocean Science – the Ocean Decade
The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030), known as the “Ocean Decade”, was launched in January 2021. It provides a unifying framework for a broad spectrum of stakeholders worldwide to engage and collaborate beyond their traditional networks.
During the Ocean Decade, partners will generate the data, information and knowledge needed for more robust, science-based policy decisions and stronger links between science and policy at global, regional, national and even local levels.
By jointly coordinating research, investment and initiatives around a range of shared challenges, the Ocean Decade community will contribute to a healthy, productive, resilient, sustainable and inspiring ocean.
The vision for the Decade is: ‘The science we need for the ocean we want’.
