EU steps up for European Digital Twin of the Ocean

A European Digital Twin of the Ocean is needed to safeguard healthy oceans. The operationalisation of a prototype Digital Twin is scheduled for completion by 2030. This is one of the objectives of the European Ocean Pact that was presented by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on June 9, at the third UN Ocean Conference in Nice in France.

The European Ocean Pact was previously adopted by the European Commission and presented subsequently by Von der Leyen on June 9 at the UN Ocean Conference. In Nice Von der Leyen also visited the prototype of the Digital Twin of the Ocean at the Palais des Expositions. The EU’s latest innovations for ocean observation were highlighted at the exposition named ‘La Baleine’ (The Whale). According to the European Commission the integration of digital technologies, including satellite and in situ observations, artificial intelligence, and cutting-edge modelling can provide a dynamic view of the ocean’s past, present, and future. The EU’s ambition is to improve knowledge of the ocean and share this knowledge with citizens, entrepreneurs, scientists and policymakers. According to the European Commission this will help design the most effective ways to restore marine and coastal habitats, support a sustainable blue economy, mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Vital data to make accurate predictions

Von der Leyen emphasized in her speech that she has high expectations for improved ocean knowledge. “Europe’s new Ocean Observation Initiative will give us vital data about the ocean. We have this data, but we have to process, accumulate, read, use them, using thousands of sensors from around the world. Thanks to the newest technologies and data collection, like our Digital Twin, it will enable us to make very accurate predictions about the ocean. So, we can show what is happening. We can model different scenarios, we can prove how action will impact the oceans – for better or worse. That is a completely new level of scientific approach to the knowledge about the Ocean.”

Zero-tolerance for illegal practices

In her speech Von der Leyen also said the ocean is deteriorating due to illegal, unreported and unregulated activities. “This is killing our marine ecosystems. We have to do something against it. That is why Europe is taking a zero-tolerance approach to illegal practices. We want to stop the criminals moving between neighbouring countries. To achieve this, we will develop regional partnerships in the Mediterranean, in western Africa and the Pacific. In Europe, we will use our digital registration of fish catches to help prevent illegally caught fish from coming into the European Union. And we have a fantastic satellite system to check who is illegally fishing outside the allowed zones. We have the proof. We can use it”, stated Von der Leyen. She added that it is possible to crack down on illegal fishing that destroys our ecosystems thanks to the Digital Twin.

Objectives that can be measured

The European Ocean Pact is leaning heavily on data and innovation. “Only what gets measured gets done. We need targets, figures, and goals that we want to reach. We will strive to cut plastic and nutrient pollution by half within five years. We will restore natural habitats and shelter our coasts more effectively from the impact of climate change. Our goal is to bring 20% of Europe’s marine ecosystems back to life by 2030. We need to enable the ocean to store even more CO2 to better shield our coastal communities from extreme weather events”, said Von der Leyen.  

European ocean pact

The European Commission has worked on a European Ocean Pact for better ocean governance and promote a resilient blue economy since the beginning of this year. The European Commission emphasizes that Europe has a close connection to the ocean, with 70,000 kilometers of coastline. ‘The ocean provides sustainable food and an endless supply of clean energy. It connects Europe to the world and carries three-quarters of European trade. The ocean moderates the climate and protects against global warming’, stated Von der Leyen.