Report on second policy briefing (Deliverable D9.7)

As part of its dissemination, impact and exploitation activities, the OCEAN ICE project produced a science–policy brief (https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21919053) and an event together with the Horizon Europe project EPOC. Both are endorsed as associated projects of the All Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA), and EPOC was identified as a natural partner for OCEAN ICE given its focus on Atlantic circulation. Scientists from both projects defined the thematic focus and drafted the scientific context, evidence and text. The European Polar Board (EPB) led the process of translating this into policy language and shaping the final brief, together with the British Antarctic Survey, representing OCEAN ICE, the University of Hamburg, representing EPOC, and Seascape Consultants Ltd, also representing EPOC. EPB led event organisation and stakeholder engagement. The Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences acted as local organiser and venue partner.

The event, "One Ocean: What Polar and Atlantic Change Means for Europe", was held on 11 September 2026 at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences in Brussels in a hybrid format. It showcased key outcomes from both projects on Atlantic and polar ocean circulation, drawing on observational and modelling work on Southern Ocean dynamics and the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). Three policy recommendations were presented, including their policy relevance and proposed implementation direction for EU policymakers and decision-makers: Treat ocean and polar observing as permanent strategic infrastructure for Europe; Close the ice sheet gap in climate models; Connect ocean and polar science more directly to risk management and adaptation planning.

Rather than simply presenting scientific results, the event was designed to create space to consider ocean and polar change from multiple perspectives: policy, governance, funders, operations, and society. Stakeholders were deliberately selected beyond the scientific community, spanning the science–policy interface, ocean and environmental governance, NGOs, operational oceanography, national and European research funding, philanthropy, blue-economy coordination, maritime navigation (including a serving ship captain's perspective), science communication and public engagement, and art. The programme also featured art exhibits and a photo gallery of field oceanography from pole to pole, illustrating different ways to understand and communicate ocean and polar change.

The event followed a three-part format, with moderated audience discussion integrated into each session. It opened with welcoming remarks and a high-level science presentation that set the scene and outlined the joint policy brief's recommendations. Two rounds of stakeholder impulse statements followed. A concluding panel discussion brought together perspectives on science-policy interfaces, research funding and governance, Atlantic and polar observations, international cooperation and preparedness. The event closed with remarks from both projects and an opportunity for informal networking.

Overall, the activity served as both a dissemination milestone for OCEAN ICE and EPOC and a structured dialogue on how ocean and polar knowledge can inform European preparedness, long-term observation, risk management, adaptation planning, and international cooperation.