The EU Mission Ocean and Waters celebrates an important milestone. Since its launch in 2022, the Mission Ocean Charter has reached an impressive number of over 1000 actions for the ocean. In total, these actions coming from individuals and organisations have mobilised more than EUR 8 billion. This result marks a growing commitment across Europe to safeguard marine and freshwater ecosystems.
Costas Kadis, Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, said:
“Reaching over 1 000 actions under the Mission Charter is a clear sign that Europe is mobilising to protect and restore our ocean and waters. From coastal communities to cities and regions, research centres, businesses and schools are stepping up to shape a healthier, more resilient blue planet. This growing wave of engagement shows that together, we can turn ambition into lasting impact.”
The decarbonisation of ships, nature-based solutions, local clean-ups, artistic initiatives, and education campaigns are just examples of the actions that have been accepted under the Mission Charter. The actions come from a wide range of actors – businesses, cities, regions, national ministries, universities, schools, NGOs, and individuals – a vibrant community working together for a healthy and resilient ocean and waters.
The Mission Charter is actively engaging, supporting, and mobilising a diverse range of people and organisations: there are actions from 179 countries, over 100 private enterprises, 53 regional authorities, and 91 cities and local authorities, and the numbers continues to grow.
The Mission Charter
The Mission Charter is the initiative of Mission Ocean aimed at public engagement for ocean and waters. Anyone can submit actions supporting the Mission’s objectives by 2030 with concrete solutions.
Each action aims to reach one or several of these objectives:
- protecting and restoring marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity;
- preventing and eliminating ocean, sea, and water pollution;
- ensuring a sustainable, carbon-neutral, and circular blue economy.
Reaching the milestone of 1000 actions being part of the Charter is news worth celebrating, but the commitment must grow. The call for action is always open, and everyone can take part.
Check out the mission actions and get inspired.
All the rules to apply are available on the portal.
Background
Launched in September 2021, the EU Mission ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters’ aims to protect and restore the health of our ocean and waters by 2030 through research and innovation, citizen engagement and investments in the sustainable blue economy. The Mission addresses the ocean and waters as one interconnected system and plays a key role in achieving climate neutrality and restoring nature.
The Mission supports regional engagement and cooperation through area-based ‘Lighthouses’ in major sea and river basins: Atlantic-Arctic, Mediterranean Sea, Baltic-North Sea, and Danube-Black Sea. Mission lighthouses are sites to pilot, demonstrate, develop and deploy the Mission activities across EU seas and river basins. Over 200 demonstration sites are already operational under these projects, with more to come.
In addition, the Mission provides direct support to key communities through tailored technical assessments and feasibility studies for ports, fisheries, and island communities, as well as financial advisory services for innovative ‘Blue Champions’.