On the path to making Europe’s ocean and waters blue again

Europe’s economic, social and ecological well-being relies heavily on the health of its ocean and waters. The EU coastline is 68 000 km long – more than that of Russia and the United States combined – and the area of water under EU jurisdiction is greater than its land area.

However, marine and freshwater ecosystems are quickly degrading. The occurrence and severity of droughts, flooding and extreme weather are increasing due to climate change. As a consequence, the safety and livelihood of millions of Europeans is under threat.Enter the EU Missions, new and innovative tools to solve some of the greatest challenges we face by 2030. To help achieve the marine and freshwater targets of the European Green Deal, these research and innovation missions combine new forms of governance and collaboration while engaging the public.

The EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030 (Mission Ocean and Waters) has three overarching objectives: protect and restore marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity; prevent and eliminate pollution; and make the sustainable blue economy carbon-neutral and circular.

During the development and piloting phase (2021-2025), the Mission is rolling out research lighthouses in major European sea and river basins. These lighthouses serve as hubs for developing, demonstrating and deploying solutions on the ground. They also act as a framework for cooperation in basins. During the deployment and upscaling phase that follows (2026-2030), the solutions will be developed, replicated and scaled up. This will enable broad implementation and participation in the mission across the EU and its bordering basins.Produced by CORDIS, the Synergy Info Pack presents 34 research projects funded through the complementary programmes of Horizon 2020 (including the SME Instrument), the LIFE Programme, and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. The projects’ novel work is supporting the development of the technical, social, governance innovation and business models required to secure the restoration of aquatic ecosystems and the development of a sustainable, resilient and climate-neutral blue economy.

Several of the projects foster a digital ocean and water knowledge system that builds on existing European infrastructures and services, including Copernicus, the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet), Destination Earth and the European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC). This will be improved by future research funded through the next work programmes to achieve the goals of the Mission Ocean and Waters.

Check out the Synergy Info Pack on the EU Publications website.