The ocean-climate-biodiversity-people nexus: uncovering safe operating space for safeguarding the integrity and health of the global ocean

Successful proposals will contribute to: further improved understanding of ocean integrity limits under varying GHG emission scenarios; robust insights into near-term (∼2030), mid-term (2050–2060) and long-term (post-2060) climate actions and policy implications under inertia; advanced scientific knowledge of existing and emerging ocean threats, associated risks and impacts over 5–10, 10–20, 50–100+ year horizons; identification and evaluation of precautionary response measures; enhanced understanding of trends, drivers and social/ecological impacts of ocean acidification within multi-stress contexts; harmonised and tailored ocean acidification monitoring, modelling, observation, data integration, prediction capabilities and mitigation activities; significant contributions to key ocean monitoring indicators (ECVs, EOVs) in compliance with IPCC, WOA, IPBES, CMIP, CLIVAR, Ocean Health Index, UN Decade, ARGO programmes; improved Earth System Models representing physical, biogeochemical and biological processes with reduced uncertainty and bias at regional scales; evidence-based regional, European and global ocean governance and decision-making; sustained European leadership in the ocean–climate–biodiversity science nexus supporting EU programmes; and impactful contributions to global scientific assessments and policy dialogues including IPCC, IPBES, WOA, UNFCCC Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue, UN Decade of Ocean Science, and SDGs 13 and 14.

Proposals must: address exactly one of the following options A, B or C; include a strong collaboration mechanism with a dedicated task, appropriate resources and a clear collaboration plan; build on and strengthen existing observing platforms (Copernicus, GOOS, OBIS, CMEMS, ARGO) and European Research Infrastructures federated under EOSC; integrate multidisciplinary and ecosystem-based approaches, including SSH, gender and justice perspectives; improve scientific understanding and predictive capacity for ocean tipping points (Option A), emerging anthropogenic threats (Option B) or ocean acidification and planetary boundaries (Option C) according to detailed expectations per option; combine Earth System, Ecosystem and Social System modeling with harmonised monitoring and data integration; develop risk assessments, response measures and policy recommendations guided by the precautionary principle; ensure international cooperation (especially with AAORIA partners); link with the UN Decade of Ocean Science and GOA-ON; make all in-situ data open access under INSPIRE principles; propose synergies with Horizon Europe Missions (Restore our Ocean, Destination Earth), partnerships and digital twins; and allocate resources for coordination under the ESA–EC Earth System Science initiative.