Did you know that the ocean holds 50 times more carbon than the atmosphere? As one of the planet’s most vital carbon sinks, the ocean absorbs and stores vast amounts of carbon dioxide, helping to mitigate climate change [1]. This process relies on the ocean carbon pump, which has two key components: the biological pump, where marine organisms transfer carbon to the seabed through the food web, and the physical pump, which moves carbon-rich waters into the deep ocean, particularly in polar regions where cold temperatures enhance CO₂ absorption [2]. Coastal and marine ecosystems, such as seagrass meadows, salt marshes, and mangroves, are particularly effective at sequestering carbon, often referred to as “blue carbon”. Protecting these habitats is essential in the fight against global warming, as they not only capture carbon but also support marine biodiversity and provide vital ecosystem services [3].
Protecting these marine environments requires important conservation efforts, such as the Natura 2000 network, which is crucial in maintaining the ocean’s ability to regulate the climate, support marine life, and provide essential resources for future generations. This map highlights the extensive network of marine Natura 2000 sites across Europe. Established under the 1979 Birds Directive and the 1992 Habitats Directive, Natura 2000 designates Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Sites of Community Importance (SCIs) to safeguard Europe's most valuable and threatened species and habitats. Covering over 18% of the EU’s land area and 9% of its marine territory, it is the largest coordinated network of conservation areas in the world [4]. By safeguarding these sites, the European Union (EU) ensures the long-term survival of marine ecosystems, contributing to biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.
To complement conservation efforts, scientific research is essential for understanding the ocean’s role in the global carbon cycle. OceanICU, a Horizon Europe project, is dedicated to generating new data and insights into the biological carbon pump and its processes. By providing policymakers and stakeholders in the blue economy with the knowledge and tools to assess their impact on ocean carbon, the project supports a better approach for addressing climate change in alignment with the EU Green Deal, which aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, reinforcing the link between ocean health and climate resilience.
Wish to dive deeper?
- Explore the challenges and opportunities of Blue carbon in mitigating climate change and biodiversity loss, and discover how marine ecosystems can play a crucial role in global sustainability efforts in this European Marine Board Brief;
- Watch this explanatory video by OceanICU to explore the carbon cycle in action;
- Interested to learn more about the carbon cycle? Register for the online OceanICU Webinar on “Ocean Acidification and Carbon Cycle Feedbacks” on 26 February 2025;
- Explore more OceanICU webinars covering a variety of ocean and climate-related topic.
The data in the map are provided by EMODnet.
[1] https://ocean-climate.org/en/awareness/the-ocean-a-carbon-sink/
[2] https://marine.copernicus.eu/explainers/why-ocean-important/carbon-storage
[3] https://www.thebluecarboninitiative.org/
[4] https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/nature-and-biodiversity/natura-2000_en