A new French Priority Research Programme (PPR) to better protect the ocean

By the CNRS – 8 june 2021

World Oceans Day on 8 June 2021 was an opportunity for the CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) and Ifremer (Institut Français de Recherche pour l’Exploitation de la MER) to mobilise the French scientific community around a new PPR (Programme Prioritaire de Recherche) targeting the ocean-climate ecosystem. The objective is to structure French research forces around specific geographical areas and major challenges for the coming decade.

4 geographical areas and 3 priorities

With a budget of 40 million euros for a period of six years, the “Ocean and Climate” PPR, led by the CNRS and Ifremer, should make it possible to advance our scientific knowledge of four major maritime geographical areas for the ocean-climate balance: the overseas territories, the deep ocean, the polar oceans and the coastal ecosystems of major cities.

Three main areas set the framework for the research activities that will be eligible for inclusion in this RPP: forecasting the ocean’s response to climate change and adaptation scenarios; sustainable use of the ocean and preservation of its biodiversity; and reducing marine pollution.

In this context, seven major inter-disciplinary challenges will be taken up by the scientific community to respond to the major issues of sustainable development of the ocean. Among them, a transversal challenge aims to share with the general public the discovery of the ocean and the associated societal issues, by renewing the links between science, society, users and professionals of the sea.