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Technical sphere news | Tue, 05/21/2024 - 12:00

Europe’s Ambitious Digital Twin of the Ocean will Revolutionise Ocean Knowledge

In February 2022, European Commission President von der Leyen unveiled the European Digital Twin Ocean (European DTO) initiative. This groundbreaking endeavour aims to bridge the gap between ocean research and society, revolutionising access to ocean knowledge. The European DTO seeks to empower citizens, entrepreneurs, scientists, innovators, and policymakers by providing cutting-edge interactive ocean data, advanced analytical support, and innovative visualisation tools.



At the heart of the European DTO vision lies a comprehensive understanding of the ocean and marine ecosystems. Leveraging European scientific expertise and resources, the novel tool will provide consistent, high-resolution descriptions of the ocean's physical, chemical, biological, socio-ecological, and economic aspects. This initiative will enable short-term decision-making and long-term planning, driving marine habitat restoration, fostering a sustainable blue economy, and aiding climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts.   

To accomplish its ambitious goals, the European Commission has invested approximately €10 million in developing the core infrastructure and numerical modelling suite of the European DTO through projects like EDITO-Infra and EDITO-Model Lab. These projects, alongside others like the Iliad project, contribute to establishing the operational infrastructure of a thriving digital ecosystem, aiming for a first operational demonstration during the upcoming 2024 Digital Ocean Forum scheduled for June.   

EDITO-Model Lab, launched in January 2023 and funded by Horizon Europe to support Mission Ocean, is a key contributor to this initiative. Led by Mercator Ocean International, the project involves 13 European partners, each bringing complementary expertise in ocean numerical modelling, supercomputing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data visualisation. The project aims to develop the next generation of ocean numerical models, integrating advanced technologies to support evidence-based decision-making for the sustainable management of marine environments.   

Within the EDITO-Model Lab, Focus Applications (FAs) demonstrate the capabilities of the core model suite. FA1 focuses on marine biodiversity, delivering workflows to map biodiversity indicators in Marine Protected Areas. FA2 addresses emission-reduced maritime shipping, providing optimal routes for vessels to minimize CO2 emissions. FA3 targets zero marine pollution, simulating the transport and spread of marine pollution to support effective mitigation measures.   

Moreover, EDITO-Model Lab offers What-If Scenarios (WiS) to explore potential solutions to socio-ecological challenges. WIS1 evaluates the impact of Nature-Based Solutions for biodiversity and coastal hazards. WIS2 addresses marine plastic pollution, while WIS3 explores aquaculture for zero carbon emissions.   

EDITO's societal benefits extend beyond policymakers and researchers, aiming to engage the wider public in ocean conservation and sustainability efforts. By making ocean knowledge accessible and understandable, the EDITO initiative promises to foster a deeper appreciation for the vital role of the ocean in our lives.   

As EDITO continues to evolve, it aligns with EU strategies for sustainable development, international ocean governance, and the UN Ocean Decade. Through collaboration and innovation, EDITO paves the way for a safer, healthier, and more productive ocean for future generations.   

 

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