In the first six months of 2025 alone, EMODnet has actively responded to key EU consultations related to ocean and environmental policy, open data and future EU funding.
The year kicked off with a call for evidence for the European Ocean Pact – an all-encompassing framework for EU ocean policy that includes the EU Ocean Observation Initiative, the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive, the Marine Strategy Framework and more. This also included a renewed attention to the importance of international ocean governance and ocean (data) diplomacy which EMODnet already engages in, in the framework of the UN Ocean Decade and related ocean data initiatives, and in EMODnet’s partnerships not only with the UN OD coordination offices for ocean data sharing and ocean observation but also with regional marine data services worldwide.
This was followed by a Green Data4All consultation, then, most recently, an EU consultation on the Data Union strategy. In both consultations, EMODnet emphasised it’s early adoption of the EU Open Data Directive and INSPIRE geospatial Directive, playing a leading role in the implementation of these key Directives in the marine domain which continues to this day, with EMODnet not only delivering a FAIR data service but also being a large and unique expert network of marine data collectors, curators, managers and service providers that are regularly called upon by European policy makers, Member States and European projects, among others, to provide advice and leadership in the ocean data standards, management and digital service domains.
Last but not least in the first half of 2025 EMODnet also responded to three consultations within the framework of a public consultation on the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), emphasising the cross-cutting and crucial role of open, free and FAIR data and marine knowledge to deliver on EU priorities not only for ocean, environmental and climate related policy but also to boost competitiveness and drive innovation in the Blue Economy, underpin the green transition and support a more restorative and regenerative approach to all human activities at sea and nature-based solutions e.g., blue carbon.
In all consultation responses, EMODnet reinforced its role as a trusted and operational EC marine data service and marine knowledge provider, a key enabler of Europe’s green and digital transitions. Read more details below and download the full EMODnet responses in the URL links.
1. European Ocean Pact Initiative
In February 2025, EMODnet responded to the European Commission’s consultation on the European Ocean Pact, a new initiative to deliver a coherent, cross-policy vision for ocean policy, including ocean observation and ocean governance.
EMODnet’s response emphasised its role in delivering FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) marine data and products that already make a concrete difference, supporting Member States in their delivery of EU directives such as the MSFD and MSPD, and providing open and free marine knowledge used by over 160,000 users annually delivered by a network of more than 130 partner organizations, with EMODnet’s full offer of in situ marine data across over 65 parameters complete for European seas and beyond being made also available via the European Digital Twin Ocean.
EMODnet’s central role in the marine knowledge value chain is an asset to serving the EU Ocean Observation initiative, which the European Ocean Pact noted is end-to-end, spanning the full value chain and that will require further development of EMODnet and Copernicus Marine Service to deliver the operational marine knowledge required by diverse users.
EMODnet’s mature infrastructure, expert network and ongoing global partnerships - including EMODnet providing the EU contribution of Bathymetry data to the global GEBCO – Nippon Foundation Seabed 2030 initiative – enables EMODnet to not only provide data and expertise to the increasingly interoperable global ocean data ecosystem, but to also provide infrastructure in its role as an aggregator and service provider for marine data for Europe and beyond.
Read the full response here: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14474-The-European-Oceans-Pact/F3520375_en
2. GreenData4All Initiative
The ‘GreenData4All’ initiative aims to update EU rules on environmental geospatial data and public access to environmental information, aiding Europe’s digital and green transition. Ultimately, the initiative will foster broader data sharing and unlock the full potential of data-driven innovation and evidence-based policymaking. EMODnet’s response highlighted its alignment with this initiative through its provision of open, FAIR marine data across seven thematic areas. By adhering to EU and international standards — EU INSPIRE data and metadata standards, international ISO metadata standards, and Open Geospatial Consortium OGC data and web service standards — EMODnet facilitates efficient data sharing, reuse and interoperability.
This positions EMODnet as a foundational component in emerging digital infrastructures and cloud-based data lakes and spaces such as the European Digital Twin Ocean and the EU Green Deal Data Space.
Moreover, EMODnet’s infrastructure and network support public-private data sharing with concrete partnerships with the private sector through EMODnet’s Associated Partnership, EMODnet for Business events and beyond. Also, EMODnet’s service enables machine-to-machine readability, enabling EMODnet to be harvested by other services at National, Regional, European and global scales, reinforcing its central role in delivering Europe’s digital transformation and bringing European leadership to global ocean data dialogues and initiatives.
Read the full response here: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/13170-GreenData4All-updated-rules-on-geospatial-environmental-data-and-access-to-environmental-information/F3459085_en
3. Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) Post-2027
As the EU begins shaping its post-2027 budget, EMODnet responded to the MFF consultation by underscoring the strategic importance of sustained investment in marine knowledge. EMODnet highlighted the cost-effectiveness and strategic value of its services, which consolidate in situ marine data from across Europe, transforming it into harmonised products that support competitiveness, innovation, and policy implementation. Despite its global recognition and global demand, EMODnet’s funding has remained static for a decade. EMODnet’s three responses made a compelling case for increased and long-term investment to safeguard the marine knowledge value chain, particularly in support of the European Digital Twin Ocean, climate resilience, and the Blue Economy. On 17 July 2025, the EU announced the proposal for the future MFF which included a continuation and strengthening (doubling) of the Horizon Europe funding package, and the introduction of new ‘moonshots’ including one on ocean observation which aligns closely to EMODnet’s central role working with the European in situ ocean observation and data collection community and streamlining data flows into EMODnet to transform primary data into FAIR data and marine knowledge for public use.
4. European Data Union Strategy
The Data Union Strategy aims to streamline EU data rules and enhance data availability, infrastructure, and cross-border flows. EMODnet’s response emphasised its role as a mature, interoperable marine data space, offering harmonised access to over 68 parameters of marine and coastal data. As an early adopter of the Open Data and INSPIRE Directives, EMODnet plays a leading role in reducing data fragmentation, transforming diverse in situ data into FAIR products, which reduce administrative burdens and support EU policy implementation.
In this consultation response, EMODnet also highlighted its key role as the in situ component of the European Digital Twin Ocean and noted that the continuous expansion of policies requiring Marine Knowledge and the diversification and increase in users means that EMODnet requires further development and evolution to meet the user needs of today and into the future.
Read the full response here: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14541-European-Data-Union-Strategy/F3581268_en
Looking ahead, these consultations reflect EMODnet’s commitment to providing operational marine data and knowledge, whilst continuing to shape and deliver concrete solutions for democratising data for all, also via the latest cloud-based digital services of EMODnet and with, shaping a more sustainable, data-driven Europe.
All of EMODnet’s responses highlighted the ongoing and increasingly urgent funding constraints that EMODnet has across its multiple components and large partnership, calling for increased investment today to not only deliver a core service but also meet the increasing demand for EMODnet to support international ocean governance and global partnerships, and calling for a step-change in EMODnet’s funding in the next MFF to maintain and expand its services in line with growing societal and environmental needs.