Towards an Integrated Ocean Monitoring System for Climate Action: Insights from the AMRIT, Euro-Argo ONE, and KADI Projects

Decades of climate research underscore the ocean’s essential role in regulating Earth’s heat and carbon cycles. The strong ocean-atmosphere interactions, intensified by climate change, alter our planet's physical and biogeochemical dynamics, leading to ocean acidification, warming, ice melt, sea level rise, and posing serious risks to biodiversity, ecosystems, and human livelihoods. Thus, a comprehensive and sustainable global ocean monitoring system has become a priority. Within the EU, marine Research Infrastructures (RIs) play an important role by operating large-scale facilities and providing essential data, resources, and services to advance ocean science and innovation. Yet, a decade after forming the first marine European Research Infrastructure Consortium (Euro-Argo ERIC), significant challenges remain in establishing a cohesive, sustainable global ocean observing network. In this work, we review the recent progress in ocean observation through the cooperative efforts of marine RIs, showcasing the contributions of three pivotal EU projects which advance ocean science and monitoring capabilities in distinct yet complementary ways. We further examine future challenges in creating sustainable, and inclusive ocean monitoring infrastructures that support the climate goals outlined in the Paris Climate Agreement.

Emphasising synergies within the European Marine RIs, the AMRIT project encompasses the joint effort of the marine research consortia to align European marine research with the Copernicus Marine Services. Through these integrations, AMRIT provides an essential backbone for the European Ocean Observing System (EOOS), enhancing the ability of various research infrastructures to work together seamlessly and allowing for comprehensive data collection that informs many stakeholders - from policymakers to local industries - about the state of European and global seas. Euro-Argo ONE activities seek to ensure Europe’s ability to take its share under the global OneArgo design. Indeed, originally focused on temperature and salinity observations in the ocean’s upper 2000m, the Argo platform has since evolved to include advanced biogeochemical (BGC) and deep-sea monitoring capabilities. The OneArgo also focuses on developing a 4D observational network that addresses diverse European needs, such as high-latitude, ice-covered areas, and European marginal seas. This expansion is critical for understanding ocean health and climate dynamics, whilst it increases the capacity to address environmental policies such as the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. While Euro-Argo ONE enhances European contributions to global ocean observation, the KADI project builds capacity for climate data and research within Africa, fostering resilience across borders. This project underscores the need for inclusive monitoring systems that bridge regional gaps in data availability and climate science infrastructure. KADI aligns closely with the Paris Agreement by providing African nations with tailored, high-quality climate information that enhances their adaptive capacity.

These examples underline the value of EU funding for integrated ocean monitoring services, as multi-annual RI funding from Member States remains inconsistent. Cross-regional synergies and shared standards illustrate how an interconnected monitoring network can be both effective and adaptable. Integrating diverse, regionally grounded monitoring efforts into a unified global framework offers a promising path for a global ocean observing system. It strengthens our collective capacity to protect the oceans and respond to climate change.