National Oceanography Centre to champion ocean data integration at World Ocean Summit Europe

Bringing together global leaders from government, business, science and civil society, the Summit provides a vital platform for implementing ocean-action plans and fostering high-level dialogue on some of the most pressing issues facing our oceans today - from coastal resilience and marine biodiversity, to deep-sea mining, ocean technology, and national security. 

NOC’s Profesor Alex Rogers will chair a key session titled ‘How to utilise ocean observation and data to safeguard a sustainable blue economy?’, a practical, solutions-focused discussion that will explore how to unlock the full potential of ocean observation data for science, policy, industry and society. 

Ocean observations are central to sustainable ocean economies, underpinning everything from weather forecasting to hazard prediction, climate modelling and tracking the ocean carbon cycle. Yet significant challenges remain. Gaps in access to both scientific and socio-economic data present barriers to blue finance and multilateral ocean governance. 

Europe has been at the forefront of advancing ocean observation, with flagship initiatives such as Copernicus Marine Service, EMODnet and EuroGOOS building world-class networks of satellites, research vessels, sensors and autonomous systems. These assets generate vast datasets, providing a foundation for a more connected, interoperable and data-driven ocean future. With other global powers scaling back their investment, Europe now has a unique opportunity, and responsibility, to lead the next phase. 

However, this progress is hampered by fragmented data access, under-recognised observation assets, and limited integration between physical systems, climate models and emerging digital twin initiatives. Real-time integration of digital platforms, models and decision-making tools is essential to capitalise on the potential of AI and ensure ocean data delivers maximum societal impact. 

Professor Rogers’ workshop will focus on practical steps to: 

• Build truly open, user-centred access to ocean data across national and institutional boundaries 

• Achieve system-level integration between observation, modelling and digital twin infrastructures 

• Increase the visibility, value and interoperability of existing data assets 

• Develop sustainable financing mechanisms to support long-term ocean observation, in Europe and globally 

Speaking ahead of the event, Professor Rogers said: 

“At a time when so much change is happening in the ocean the digital revolution is critical to translating ocean observations to knowledge for society to act upon. There is a lack of recognition amongst the public and policymakers of the importance of ocean observations to short-term forecasting and longer-term predictions of climate change and other human impacts on the ocean. This threatens public and private funding for the ocean science that guides mitigation or adaptation to short and long-term changes in the environment upon which we depend. Data and its accessibility are central to the value of ocean science to society.” 

NOC’s participation at the World Ocean Summit Europe reflects its ongoing commitment to advancing ocean science, technology and governance in support of a healthy, resilient and productive ocean for society.