Empowering the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development

Expected Outcome

Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• at least one of the outcomes of the ocean Decade: 1- A clean ocean, 2- A healthy and resilient ocean, 3- A productive ocean, 4- A predicted ocean, 5- A safe ocean, 6- An accessible ocean, 7- An inspiring and engaging ocean;
• structural and long-lasting changes as per how ocean science is supported and performed globally, driven by initiatives developed under the Ocean Decade and continuing beyond it.

Scope

The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) aims at mobilising the global scientific community, policymakers, industry, and civil society to advance ocean science and generate knowledge that supports the sustainable management of the ocean. The initiative aims to reverse the decline in ocean health and ensure that ocean science can fully support countries in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This topic aims at further consolidating international cooperation, through European Leadership, and at ensuring that key processes, initiatives and structures that have been put in place through the Decade continue after its end.

Proposals should:

• provide substantial contribution to key global efforts, including capacity development and international coordination, undertaken through endorsed Ocean Decade Programmes, Actions, Decade Collaborative Centres and Decade Coordination Offices, or for the implementation of the Vision 2030 white papers [1] or of the Ocean Decade data & information strategy [2];
• have consideration for how to achieve longer-term sustainability and legacy of Ocean Decade activities;
• choose the scope of activities in alignment with one or several of the priorities indicated in the EC-RTD roadmap for Cooperation on the UN Decade of Ocean Science [3] namely the EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters, the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance, making marine data, knowledge and R&I solutions readily available);
• In line with the above-mentioned roadmap, address at least one of the following Decade Challenges: Challenge 1 “Understand and beat marine pollution”, Challenge 2 “Protect and restore ecosystems and biodiversity”, Challenge 6 “Increase community resilience to ocean and coastal risks”, Challenge 7 “Sustainably expand the Global Ocean Observing System”, Challenge 8 “Create a digital representation of the ocean”, Challenge 9 “Skills, knowledge, technology and participation for all” and Challenge 10 “Restore society’s relationship with the ocean”.

International cooperation is encouraged.

[1] Vision 2030

[2] Ocean Decade data & information strategy: The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) - UNESCO Digital Library

[3] https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/document/download/2e5f29fb-cb0c-4d0d-8840-97ce0ee9730c_en?filename=ec_rtd_roadmap-cooperation-un-decade-ocean-science.pdf