FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

The BlueMissionAA project

Funded by the European Union's Horizon Europe program, BlueMissionAA Coordination and Support Action (CSA) is a €2.9 million, three-year project that is establishing a central coordination hub to facilitate the implementation of the Mission 'Restore Our Oceans and Waters by 2030' within the Atlantic and Arctic Basins. 
The BlueMissionAA is focused on Objective 1 of the Mission Ocean & Waters, namely Protect and restore marine and freshwaters ecosystems and biodiversity, and it is builds on existing initiatives, networks, instruments, activities, and governance frameworks to have structuring effect to mobilise a wide community of relevant stakeholders and EU citizens towards the achievement of Mission objectives at basin level. 
At the BlueMissionAA consortium, actors of the Atlantic and Arctic basins are well represented. The consortium covers a large range of public and private institutions from 7 countries: Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, and Spain. 
In the European continent, the Atlantic Sea basin is situated at the western edge, having a border to the North by the Arctic Sea basin and to the South and West by the Wider Atlantic. The basin hosts the United Kingdom and four EU Member States: Ireland, Spain, Portugal, and France. 
The Arctic basin covers the northernmost part of our planet, located within the Arctic Circle. It covers a vast area hosting five Arctic Ocean coastal states: Norway, Greenland and the Faroe Islands as part of Denmark, northwest Russia, Alaska as part of the United States of America, and Northern Canada, all including indigenous peoples. 
Visit our BlueMissionAA website, sign up for our newsletter, and follow us on social media: 
The goal of the BlueMissionAA project is to coordinate and support the EU Mission Restore Our Ocean and Waters by 2030 in the Atlantic and Arctic basins. It aims to restore the health and biodiversity of marine and coastal ecosystems, eliminate pollution, and promote a sustainable and circular blue economy. It also seeks to engage citizens and stakeholders in the preservation and restoration of our ocean and waters.  
Some of the services the BlueMissionAA Helpdesk provides through our specialists: 
  • Technical knowledge, such as an evaluation of scientific and technical attributes of existing restoration activities and a repository of technical expertise and know-how, including technical services, governance, and business models to support and guarantee sustainable socio-economic development of the Atlantic and Arctic basins.   
  • Innovative solutions – WaveLinks and catalogue 
  • Network and Matchmaking 
  • Financing and funding advice 
  • Communication  – webinar series 
  • Citizen campaign – assembly 

The Atlantic and Arctic Lighthouse

The Mission supports regional engagement and cooperation through area-based "Lighthouses" in major sea/river basins: Atlantic and Arctic, Mediterranean Sea, Baltic and North Sea, and Danube and Black Sea.  
These Lighthouses are sites to pilot, demonstrate, develop, and deploy transformative innovative technological, social, business, and governance solutions aligned with the Mission activities across EU seas and river basins. 
Lighthouses will be implemented in phases. The first phase (2021-2025) aims to demonstrate potential solutions, which will be scaled up and replicated across the EU in the second phase (2026-2030). 
 Find more detailed information on the EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters Implementation Plan. 
Information about the other Lighthouses: 
The Atlantic and Arctic Lighthouse is a realistic governance framework and options informed by multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral cooperation and perspectives encompassing at least 12 countries, where at least 5,000 relevant stakeholders feel seen, represented, and aligned with EU, national or local policies and initiatives. 
The main goal of the AA Lighthouse is to protect and restore the marine and coastal ecosystems and biodiversity for increased climate resilience in the Atlantic and Arctic basins. 
The AA Lighthouse is led by three main projects: Coordination and Supporting Action (CSA) BlueMissionAA, Innovation Action (IA) Climarest and Innovation Action (IA) A-AAgora. 
For more information on the projects: 
» Coordination and Supporting Action (CSA) BlueMissionAA website. 
» Innovation Action (IA) Climarest website. 
» Innovation Action (IA) A-AAgora website. 

The Mission Ocean & Waters

With a 2030 target, the EU Mission "Restore our Ocean and Waters" aims to protect and restore the health of our ocean and waters through research and innovation, citizen engagement and blue investments. The Mission's new, systemic approach will address the ocean and waters as one and play a key role in achieving climate neutrality and restoring nature. 
The Mission supports regional engagement and cooperation through area-based "lighthouses" in major sea/river basins: Atlantic-Arctic, Mediterranean Sea, Baltic-North Sea, and Danube-Black Sea. Mission lighthouses are sites to pilot, demonstrate, develop and deploy the Mission's activities across EU seas and river basins. 
For more information, please visit: 
» EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters website  
» Mission Ocean and Waters service portal 
Objective 1: Protect and restore marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity in line with the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030. 
Targets: 
  • Protect a minimum of 30% of the EU's Sea area and integrate ecological corridors as part of a true Trans-European Nature Network.  
  • Strictly protect at least 10% of the EU's Sea area. 
  • Restore at least 25,000 km of free-flowing rivers. 
  • Contribute to relevant upcoming marine nature restoration targets, including degraded seabed habitats and coastal ecosystems. 
 
Objective 2: Prevent and eliminate pollution of our ocean, seas and waters, in line with the EU Action Plan Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil.  
Targets: 
  • Reduce by at least 50% plastic litter at sea.   
  • Reduce by at least 30% micro plastics released into the environment. 
  • Reduce by at least 50% nutrient losses and the use and risk of chemical pesticides. 
 
Objective 3: Make the sustainable blue economy carbon-neutral and circular, in line with the proposed European Climate Law and the holistic vision enshrined in the Sustainable Blue Economy Strategy. 
Targets: 
  • Eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from maritime economic activities in the EU and sequester those emissions that cannot be avoided (net zero maritime emissions). 
  • Develop zero-carbon and low-impact aquaculture and promote circular, low-carbon, multi-purpose use of marine and water space. 
The Mission will develop and demonstrate innovative technological, social, business and governance solutions. It will promote new forms of cooperation, allowing everyone to play an active role. 
The scope of the Mission goes far beyond research and innovation. It combines new forms of governance and cooperation and a new way of reaching out to citizens and getting them on board, including young people. 
EU countries, regions and a wide range of public and private sector stakeholders will also need to get involved to help ensure we make a real impact together. Each of us can co-design, co-implement and co-monitor the Mission by participating in campaigns and other activities. 
Find more information here. 
 
The first step that any public or private interested parties – such as European citizens, researchers, investors, businesses, and public authorities, can take to be involved in the Mission Ocean and Waters is to endorse the Mission Charter by pledging an action.  
The Mission Charter is non-binding, and endorsing it is a way to show commitment to contribute to the objectives of the Mission 'Restore our Ocean and Waters'.  
The pledges to the Mission Charter can be based on new or existing activities. It can take many forms, whether your pledge supports research and innovation (R&I) goals, offers access to knowledge or data, upscales and deploys novel solutions, provides education, or engages citizens to protect our aquatic ecosystems – all actions are welcome! Besides, the Mission encourages stakeholders to make multiple submissions to the Charter.  
Make your pledge here. 
Still have some doubts? Read the Mission Charter Frequently Asked Questions. 
For more information about the benefits of pledging and how to submit actions, please visit https://prep4blue.eu/mission-charter/.  
To help you make your pledge and share the Mission Charter with others, the project Prep4Blue has put together a collection of resources for you to use. 
That includes: 
- Guidance on making your pledge, 
- Slide decks on the types of actions, 
- Benefits of pledging for you to share with your networks and 
- Badges that you can add to your profile pictures and logos. 
To access it, please visit https://prep4blue.eu/mission-charter/. 
The Mission Ocean & Waters is on 7 social platforms; you can follow it to keep yourself updated: 

Marine and Coastal Restoration

Marine and coastal restoration involves the improvement of degraded coastal and ocean ecosystems, aiming to restore them to their natural or former state. This process may include the replanting of habitats such as wetlands, dunes, seagrass beds or coral reefs that have been damaged by human or natural causes. The goal is to bring these important ecosystems back to a natural and healthy state, thereby enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem services.  
Restoration approaches vary; for example, they may involve implementing solutions to mitigate environmental threats and impacts, enhancing ecosystems to reduce environmental barriers, or taking direct restoration actions to promote ecosystem recovery. Despite the specific approach, all efforts aim to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services. 
Marine and coastal restoration offers a range of benefits, including enhancing biodiversity, improving ecosystem services, protecting against natural disasters, promoting climate change mitigation and adaptation, supporting coastal communities' livelihoods, and enabling a sustainable blue economy. Overall, marine and coastal restoration plays a crucial role in preserving and enhancing the health and resilience of our oceans and coastlines, benefiting both people and the environment. 
The importance of restoration is recognised and fostered by various global accords and conventions, including the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005), the Convention on Biological Diversity (2010), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 14 Life below water) and the establishment of the UN Decades for Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) and for Ocean and Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). Not least by the European Commission with the creation of the EU Mission "Restore our Ocean and Waters". 
Marine and coastal restoration should be approached with careful planning and consideration of various factors. Whether it involves planting mangroves, implementing sustainable fishing practices, or restoring coral reefs, restoration efforts must account for factors such as the type and condition of the ecosystem, the pressures it faces, stakeholder agreements, and available resources and expertise. Additionally, the involvement and support of local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and disadvantaged groups, including women, are crucial for successful restoration outcomes. Support for existing conservation projects and advocacy for sustainable policies at all levels of government can also contribute to effective restoration efforts. 
Common techniques include replanting mangroves, seagrasses, or saltmarshes; rebuilding oysters or coral reefs; reestablishing sand dunes and beaches; removing invasive species; stabilising shorelines; and improving water quality and flow. Restoration may involve volunteers or require specialised equipment and scientific expertise. 
You can get involved in restoration efforts in your local area by participating in community-led initiatives, volunteering with environmental organisations, or joining restoration projects organised by local authorities or non-profit groups. Additionally, you can support restoration efforts by taking action, such as starting or supporting an on-the-ground restoration project. You can access the wavelinks.eu to search for initiatives and to get inspired. 
Furthermore, you can become an active citizen and start making smart choices, like buying only sustainable products and changing diets. You can also contribute to restoration efforts by reducing your environmental footprint. Additionally, raising your voice to support ecosystem conservation and restoration can help raise awareness and advocate for policies prioritising restoration and conservation efforts. 

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