Considering the rich landscape of existing ocean monitoring, this effort will require identifying the set of essential variables and analysis feeding into UNEP’s focus. It is widely recognized and underpinned by the recently launched Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development that managing and maintaining ocean resources requires data, science and services. Those are critical in achieving the UN 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 14, which targets require a solid scientific foundation anchored in observation systems and models. 

By defining the niche where UNEP value adds to society and nature, focusing on the environmental dimension to transformation, GEMS/Oceans is envisioned to evolve as a co-designed consortium effort and become a major addition to UNEP’s portfolio of monitoring efforts to keep the environment under review.

This presentation was delivered to a session “Towards an integrated Global Environment Monitoring System for Oceans” at the Sustainability Research & Innovation Congress 2021 (SRI2021 – Future Earth) that took place (on-line) on the 14th of June 2021. It gives GRID-Arendal’s perspective on what we believe should be the focus of UNEP’s Global Environment Monitoring System for Oceans and Coasts.

Year: 2021

Produced by: Peter Harris

Tags: oceans