Comment: Harnessing geo-data for a sustainable future

As the ocean captures somewhere between 25 per cent and 30 per cent of all human-made CO2 emissions and absorbs more than 90 per cent of excess heat on earth, it stands as one of our greatest allies in the fight against climate change. But even the ocean has a limit.

The 2024 UNESCO State of the Ocean Report indicates that the ocean is now warming at twice the rate it was twenty years ago, with 2023 seeing one of the highest increases since the 1950s. While the Paris Agreement saw a large number of countries pledge to keep global warming below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, ocean temperatures have already increased by an average of 1.45°C, with clear hotspots above 2°C in the Mediterranean, Tropical Atlantic Ocean and Southern Oceans. These rising temperatures affect marine species and delicate ecosystems, including coral which can bleach and die off. Marine fishes and animals lose important breeding grounds, with food chains also impacted.

The escalating threat of climate change is driving a major need to protect coastal communities from rising temperatures and sea levels, as well as more turbulent weather patterns. Being able to measure impacts and changes in more granular detail with geo-data is crucial in building solutions for coastal resilience, as well as unlocking the finance needed for such initiatives. From satellite remote sensing to floating measurement buoys that live stream in-situ data, increasing the volume and accuracy of ocean geo-data is essential to diagnose and understand ocean phenomena and improve our predictive capabilities.

The need for ocean observation data

Ocean observation data (OOD) currently plays a vital role in tracking and maintaining ocean health. By monitoring temperature, salinity, and nutrient levels, scientists and researchers can assess the impact of climate change, track ocean acidification, and identify areas at risk.

Research carried out by the World Ocean Initiative, in partnership with Economist Impact has found that two thirds of the marine-based climate change economy hinges on ocean observation data, and dependence is likely to intensify as climate change exacerbates the unpredictability of ocean conditions and weather.

Acquiring more ocean data, and finding ways to more quickly analyse and share it, is therefore a pressing need. Comprehensive ocean data can inform sustainable fishing practices, guide marine conservation efforts, and improve our understanding of the ocean's role in climate regulation. Moreover, it can help predict and mitigate the impacts of natural disasters like tsunamis and hurricanes which are already becoming more frequent and powerful. Bathymetric data, which includes information about the depths and shapes of underwater terrain is also key in detecting underwater hazards, including volcanoes.

One real-world example of where ocean data can play a useful role is in monitoring and understanding the marine environment around offshore wind farms. As wind capacity around the world grows, developers are under increased pressure to demonstrate to regulators and governmental bodies that their wind farms can positively impact the environment and improve biodiversity. To this end, BeWild project is developing methodologies and technologies for collecting environmental DNA (eDNA) samples remotely. The intention is that collecting this ocean data can be done at the same time as the regular asset inspection that normally takes place.

The importance of data sharing

Shared data can enhance the accuracy of scientific models, improve predictions, and support sustainable ocean management. It can also foster collaboration between researchers worldwide, driving innovation and discovery. Therefore, it is in the interest of the greater good that private entities share their ocean science data.

The private sector holds a vast reservoir of ocean data that has been amassed over years of offshore energy exploration, marine infrastructure development, and scientific research. The challenge is, however, that ownership often resides with the private companies that harvest it or the governments that oversee its collection. Initiatives like the UN’s Coordination Office for Ocean Data Sharing, part of its wider Ocean Decade project, aim to foster the data management and sharing that is needed, as well as promote cooperation and mobilise resources.

The message that bathymetry is fundamental to safeguarding the project is catching on, with Fugro continuing to make significant contributions to The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project, which aims to map the entirety of the world’s oceans by 2030. With only six per cent of the world’s oceans mapped when the project started, it now stands at 25 per cent and Fugro has provided over 2.6 million km² of this. The private sector must keep collaborating to build an extensive database, and Fugro co-chairs a working group with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO to increase data sharing.

Public-Private Partnerships

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are another key way to move forwards with environmental protection. By combining the policy-making capabilities of the public sector with the operational efficiency of the private sector, PPPs can drive the transition towards a low-carbon, sustainable future. Whether it’s facilitating the implementation of green technologies, driving the promotion and adoption of sustainable practices in industries, or mobilising resources for environmental projects, PPPs can be useful in sharing knowledge and pushing for action.

Conclusion

Harnessing geo-data is no longer a choice, but an imperative for a sustainable future. As we continue to explore and understand our world through the lens of data, we inch closer to a future where sustainability is not just a goal, but a reality. The marine community must work collaboratively to ensure that the need for ocean data continues to be echoed and data becomes more widely available to the public and scientific community.

Robert Hoddenbach, Global Director for Climate and Nature, Fugro