The BNP Paribas Foundation has announced the sixth edition of its Climate & Biodiversity Initiative, focusing on the challenges faced by ocean and coastal ecosystems. These ecosystems, essential for climate regulation and supporting the livelihoods of over 3.8 billion people living near coasts, are increasingly threatened by ocean acidification, overfishing, coastal erosion, and artificialisation.
The initiative will provide €7 million ($7.3 million) to support 7 to 15 European scientific research projects over three years. Applications are open to projects addressing climate and biodiversity issues linked to ocean and coastal ecosystems, with a focus on basic or applied scientific research.
This edition has received the Ocean Decade label from UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), part of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030). The Ocean Decade aims to advance the sustainable use and conservation of marine resources through science and international cooperation.
Vidar Helgesen, Executive Secretary of UNESCO-IOC said, “This collaboration highlights the importance of partnerships in advancing global ocean conservation. The selected projects will contribute to the Ocean Decade’s vision of advancing scientific solutions for sustainable marine ecosystems.”
Since its inception, the Climate & Biodiversity Initiative has supported over 35 international scientific research teams, allocating a total of €24 million ($24.9 million) to projects addressing pressing environmental challenges.
The sixth edition continues to address urgent issues by supporting efforts to protect and restore ocean and coastal ecosystems, which play a vital role in global sustainability.
