OBSERVER: Protecting our oceans with European EO data
OBSERVER: Protecting our oceans with European EO data
evan
Wed, 08/01/2025 – 17:20
Oceans are essential ecosystems for our planet, yet they face threats from climate change, pollution, and other human-caused factors. The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development has outlined ten challenges to address in the coming years to ensure we manage our oceans and their resources sustainably—and Earth Observation (EO) data can support this effort decisively.
Data from European initiatives and organisations such as Copernicus, EUMETSAT, and EMODnet helps scientists, policymakers, business owners and other stakeholders monitor ocean health.
In today’s Observer, we explore a new webinar series designed to help users navigate the European marine data landscape.
The UN Ocean Decade
Launched in January 2021, the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030), known as the ‘Ocean Decade’, encourages stakeholders worldwide to work together beyond their usual communities to drive progress in ocean science. The initiative focuses on ten key challenges tied to the ocean’s health and productivity.
During the Ocean Decade, partners produce data, share knowledge, and support the development of science-informed marine policies. By coordinating research, investments, and actions around shared challenges, they aim to protect not only the ocean but also the communities which depend on it for their livelihoods.
The UN Ocean decade focuses on ten key challenges tied to the ocean’s health and productivity. Credit: UN Ocean Decade.
European EO data and solving the UN challenges
The ocean is vast and spans multiple countries. As a result, the strategies to protect it must be collaborative, and this is where satellite missions such as the Copernicus Sentinel missions play a crucial role. Satellites collect cross-border information even in remote areas, supporting those working with various ocean parameters anywhere in the world. However, with so many remote sensing assets and services available, users can sometimes feel overwhelmed when searching for the data they need. Adding to this challenge is the growing diversity of data providers and sources, such as in situ monitoring stations, making the task even more complex and challenging.
To address this fragmented marine data landscape, EUMETSAT, a key contributor to Copernicus, is organising a series of ocean webinars in partnership with the Copernicus Marine Service (CMEMS), EMODnet, the Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOP) Programme, and the UN Ocean Decade Coordination Office for Ocean Data Sharing.
These webinars explore how European initiatives and data from Copernicus, EUMETSAT, EMODnet, and other sources can support the UN Ocean Decade goals of sustainable use and protection of our oceans.
The EU Ocean data webinar series explores how European initiatives and data can support the UN Ocean Decade goals of sustainable use and protection of our oceans. Credit: UN Ocean Decade.
A diverse pool of providers
The three data providers behind the webinar series—EUMETSAT, CMEMS, and EMODnet—have extensive experience in providing marine data to users.
EUMETSAT operates key marine satellite missions and delivers a variety of data, including near real-time operational products, time-critical datasets, and reprocessed data updated through regular re-analysis exercises. Its outputs include information on ocean altimetry, ocean colour, and sea surface temperature.
CMEMS provides ocean data and models, as well as products to help users monitor and understand the marine environment. It delivers information on ocean currents, temperature, salinity, sea level, and more, supporting climate research, environmental protection, maritime operations and many more applications.
Funded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE), EMODnet is a marine data service delivered by a network of over 120 organisations and experts. It democratises access to marine data by assembling information from diverse sources, including academia, in situ observations, and citizens. With the data it makes available, EMODnet supports policymaking in the marine sector as well as users in different industries, from aquaculture, to research and renewable energy.
Another important partner, the ECOP Programme, helps less experienced staff in the marine sector develop the skills needed to use EO data. The programme supports early career ocean professionals (ECOPs) by offering networking, training, professional development, funding opportunities, and fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.
The EU Ocean data webinar series
The webinar series follows a user-driven approach. In the first webinar, held in June 2024, participants explored the wide range of available data and shared the topics they wanted covered in future sessions, along with the challenges they face in accessing marine data.
The webinar series is designed to help marine data users navigate the European data landscape. The three data providers behind the webinar series have extensive experience in providing marine data. Credit: UN Ocean Decade.
In the second webinar, held in October 2024, EUMETSAT, CMEMS, and EMODnet introduced datasets, products, and tools to help address three UN Decade challenges: marine pollution, the protection and restoration of ecosystems and biodiversity, and ocean-based solutions for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Recordings of both webinars are available here.
The third webinar in the series takes place on 15 January at 14:30 CET. This session will explore how Earth Observation, in situ, and modelled marine data can support the UN Ocean Decade initiative, focusing on three key challenges: sustainably feeding the global population, supporting the blue economy, and strengthening coastal and community resilience to oceanic hazards. Registrations are still open, and users with varying levels of experience are encouraged to join.
Looking ahead to 2025, another major event promises to bring ocean stakeholders together. France and Costa Rica are jointly organising the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, from 9–13 June 2025. Mercator Ocean International, with support from the European Commission (DG DEFIS and DG MARE), is organising a large booth at the event to highlight Europe’s commitment to sustainable ocean management. This conference will provide a unique opportunity to further the dialogue on protecting our oceans and showcase Europe’s leading role in leveraging EO data to tackle global marine challenges.
Wed, 08/01/2025 – 12:00
