Europe Jacques Delors launches its ocean centre

Since its inception, a core pillar of Europe Jacques Delors' work has been to promote coherent EU policies and support actions aimed at protecting and restoring our ocean, seas, coastal and inland waters. Our vision is guided by a holistic approach to ocean issues, as championed by the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030”.

As of November 2024, under the management of our Director-General Geneviève Pons, the newly established Ocean Centre will contribute to European and international ocean policies. The Ocean Centre has engaged in a vast array of projects, spanning from marine protection, maritime decarbonisation, the development of a sustainable blue economy as well as ‘blue diplomacy’.

A key project of the Ocean Centre is the work around the European Ocean Pact. Together with the Oceano Azul Foundation, Europe Jacques Delors coordinated and wrote the Manifesto for a European Ocean Pact, bringing together a high-level stakeholder group to support its vision. The ideas within the Manifesto were successfully taken up by President Ursula von der Leyen in her political guidelines and the mission letter to the new Commissioners-designate. The Manifesto adopts a cross-cutting approach to ocean issues, aiming to establish an ambitious European Oceans Pact and strengthen collective action for ocean protection ahead of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3). To advance these objectives, the Europe Jacques Delors team will provide support to Geneviève Pons and Catherine Chabaud in the conception and organisation of two European events at UNOC3, while also leading related outreach and advocacy efforts among key European stakeholders.

The Ocean Centre is also the home to a project on maritime decarbonisation. In collaboration with our international partners, Oceans5 and Transport and Environment (T&E), this year-long initiative supports the adoption of ambitious mid-term measures for maritime decarbonisation by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The analysts will undertake a comprehensive research exercise, which will culminate in a publication outlining the key issues at stake surrounding the IMO’s negotiations on greenhouse gas emissions reduction measures in maritime transport. Additionally, the project will comprise stakeholder mapping and outreach initiatives to engage institutions, businesses, and civil society.  The emphasis on maritime decarbonisation exemplifies the holistic approach to ocean issues embraced by the Ocean Centre.

The third focus of the Ocean Centre's agenda is a two-year project aimed at expanding marine conservation efforts, specifically the marine protected area (MPA) surrounding Clipperton, an uninhabited French island in the Eastern Pacific. In partnership with the Blue Nature Alliance (BNA), Europe Jacques Delors will conduct research and analysis to establish the scientific and economic rationale for enhancing the protection of this atoll, which is exceptionally rich in marine resources. Additionally, the team will undertake mapping and outreach initiatives aimed at engaging stakeholders involved in the management and governance of Clipperton.

Finally, the activities of the Ocean Centre will closely monitor and analyse the international ocean agenda. Our two vice presidents, Geneviève Pons and Pascal Lamy, who co-chair Antarctica 2030, as well as our associate researcher, Martin Binachon, will continue to advocate for the establishment of four marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean in collaboration with the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC). Both analysts and research associates will also continue to follow the negotiations and advocate for prompt ratification of the High Seas Treaty, as well as closely monitor the ongoing negotiations surrounding the Global Plastics Treaty. In alignment with the EU agenda, the publications will explore critical topics in ocean governance, with a particular emphasis on the evolution of a sustainable, resilient, and competitive European fisheries sector. Additionally, special attention will be given to pivotal issues within the sustainable blue economy, including the circular economy, waste management, and offshore renewable energy.