One Ocean: What Polar and Atlantic Change Means for Europe
A science-policy event on emerging ocean and climate risks
Climate-driven changes in the Atlantic Ocean, the Southern Ocean and the Arctic are creating growing risks for Europe’s climate, economy, infrastructure and long-term resilience.
One Ocean: What polar and Atlantic change means for Europe will bring together scientists, policymakers and stakeholders to explore the latest research on these interconnected changes, including new findings on the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, polar regions and their implications for Europe.
The event is co-organised by the Horizon Europe projects OCEAN ICE and EPOC, and hosted by the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences.
Event details
Date: Friday 11 September 2026
Time: 12:30–16:30
Networking lunch/finger food: from 11:30
Location: Natural History Museum, Brussels, and online
Registration: Registration will open at the end of June 2026. Attendance is free, but pre-registration is required.
About the event
The event will present policy-relevant research on how changes in the Atlantic Ocean, Southern Ocean and Arctic may affect Europe in both the short and long term. Discussions will consider different stakeholder perspectives and the need for greater investment in integrated ocean and polar research to help Europe better understand, anticipate and respond to emerging climate challenges.
Topics will include:
- Changes in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation
- Connections between the Atlantic, Arctic and Southern Ocean
- Implications for Europe’s climate, economy and infrastructure
- The role of ocean and polar research in resilience and preparedness
- Stakeholder perspectives on science-policy needs
Art and photography
Alongside the discussions, participants will be able to experience an art exhibition inspired by Arctic research by Laure Winants, as well as photographic projections from the Southern Ocean, Antarctica, the Arctic and the Atlantic, captured by scientists involved in the projects.
Contact
For more information, please contact:
Maria Grigoratou
mgrigoratou@europeanpolarboard.org
Vikki Gunn
vikki.gunn@seascapeconsultants.co.uk
Funding acknowledgement
OCEAN ICE and EPOC are funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
OCEAN ICE and EPOC are associated All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance projects. Home - All Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance
