General Information Scientific and Technological Background
Healthy oceans, seas, coastal and inland waters are vital for our societies and the future of our planet. They are the lungs of our planet, producing half of the oxygen we breathe. They are the planet’s largest carbon sink and have absorbed 26% of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.
They are the source of all life on Earth and our planet’s life-support system. They supply freshwater, renewable energy and provide benefits associated with our well-being, cultural values, tourism, trade, and transport.
However, we are leaving an ever increasing footprint on the ocean and waters which is rapidly degrading their health and threatening their ability to provide many essential services.
To reverse this trend, the European Union is proposing to launch a Mission. A Mission also known as “Mission Starfish”, to know, restore and protect our ocean and waters by 2030, celebrating our planet’s most precious resource.
Action Zones (Optional)
Plans with detailed actions, investment strategy and performance indicators will be developed during the preparatory phase.
Also, each mission will operate as a portfolio of actions – such as research projects, policy measures or even legislative initiatives.
Scope and Goals
This mission will be a powerful tool to raise awareness among citizens of the importance of healthy oceans, seas, coastal and inland waters, and help develop solutions on a range of issues.
Its aim is to stop the pollution in our ocean and waters, preventing plastic waste, chemicals and other contaminants from reaching rivers and the sea.
The mission will help to make the blue economy more sustainable and climate-friendly, by promoting renewable and carbon-neutral technologies, reducing emissions from existing sectors and developing innovative solutions to reduce the environmental footprint of human activities.
Targets by 2030: cleaning marine and fresh waters, restoring degraded ecosystems and habitats, decarbonising the blue economy in order to sustainably harness the essential goods and services they provide.
To fulfil this mission, the European Union will build on its policies and programmes. It will support new ideas, research and innovation.The Mission will also propose new governance models and build partnerships with governments, businesses, universities, civil society and with many others to work towards this common goal.
Call Information (Optional)
A preparatory phase began in November 2020, and will last a maximum of 12 months.
Plans with detailed actions, investment strategy and performance indicators will be developed during this phase.
At the end of it, missions will be assessed against a set of robust criteria. Once approved, missions will get fully up and running, probably by 3rd or 4th quater of 2021.
