How Europe monitors Ocean dynamics to tackle sea level rise is a key theme at the European Digital Ocean Pavilion during the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), open to everyone from 2 to 13 June 2025. The Pavilion is being coordinated by Mercator Ocean International and will showcase EU tools and contributions that reinforce Europe’s leadership in global ocean governance. Each day, the Pavilion will highlight different themes.
Sea level rise is the key topic on the morning of 11 June, in the INSPIRE area of the Pavilion.
The Rising Sea Levels session will offer a comprehensive look at one of the most urgent challenges facing our planet. It opens with a ‘State of the Ocean’ presentation, featuring an interactive poll to introduce key facts about sea level rise. ‘Advances in Sea Level Rise Monitoring’ will explore the latest in-situ networks and satellite observations developments. ‘Advances in Sea Level Rise Science’ delves into the causes of sea level rise, including ice sheet contributions and long-term projections. The session concludes with ‘Actions for SDG 14 & 13: Solutions’, addressing coastal impacts and showcasing adaptation strategies, nature-based solutions, and policy recommendations to support coastal resilience.
Through short talks, interactive activities, and a documentary extract, the session provides a clear and engaging overview of how science, innovation, and policy are converging to respond to rising seas.
The session is moderated by Angélique Melet (Mercator Ocean) and Begoña Pérez-Gómez (Puertos del Estado). The Master of Ceremony is Henri Landes.
EU Digital Twin Ocean
The EU Digital Twin Ocean (EU DTO) is an advanced digital representation of the Ocean designed to provide comprehensive insights into marine environments. Developed by Mercator Ocean, the EU DTO integrates data from the Copernicus Marine Service and EMODNet, the European Marine Observation and Data Network, to create a detailed and interactive model of the Ocean.
The DTO plays a crucial role in addressing sea level rise by providing detailed simulations and predictive models. Users can access extensive information to evaluate the effects of potential interventions under various climate scenarios. The DTOIt integrates real-time data to map current land cover features and predict future scenarios, helping researchers and policymakers develop effective adaptation strategies for coastal communities.
Coastal Risk
As sea level rise accelerates, Europe’s coastal zones face growing threats from flooding, erosion, and extreme weather events. The EU DTO is being utilised in various innovative applications, including the Coastal Risk Management (based on the EU Project CoCliCo projection) and Nature-Based Solution Assessment (based on the WIS by HEREON).
The Coastal Risk Management application, featured in the DECIDE area of the Pavilion, provides localised insights into people and infrastructure at risk under different sea level rise and climate scenarios.
By integrating this application into the EU DTO, users can explore “what if” scenarios in a powerful digital environment. This empowers scientists, policymakers, and citizens to make informed, data-driven decisions that enhance coastal resilience, protect marine ecosystems, and prepare communities for the long-term impacts of rising seas.
Learn more at the European Digital Ocean Pavilion
Sea level rise is one of the most visible and pressing consequences of climate change, threatening coastal communities, ecosystems, and economies around the world.
Discover how the EU Digital Twin Ocean is transforming our ability to understand and respond to critical challenges like sea level rise. Through immersive exhibits, AI-powered forecasting tools, and real-world scenario simulations, the Pavilion offers a unique opportunity to see how digital innovation is driving smarter, more resilient ocean governance. Whether you’re a policymaker, scientist, or ocean enthusiast, your engagement is vital in building a sustainable future for our coasts and communities.
Check out the full agenda and come visit the European Digital Ocean Pavilion at UNOC3 to explore innovative solutions for sustainable ocean management and stewardship.
This article is part of a series focused on the morning themes of the European Digital Ocean Pavilion. To read about Marine Biodiversity, click here. To read about Marine Pollution, click here. To read about Ocean and Climate, click here.
