The Mediterranean Sea, a crossroads of three continents, faces challenges related to climate change and resource management. Ecological degradation and pollution threaten the well-being of societies, especially coastal ones. Marine research is essential to promote a sustainable blue economy, with Italy as the European gateway to the Mediterranean.
School4SID is an interdisciplinary project of the CNR that has developed a training model that aims to introduce a new approach of scientific support to decision-making and negotiation. The project was born from the awareness that the process of “scientific decision support” is very ambiguous, often little adopted or confused with Science Diplomacy, and above all closely linked to the concept of the so-called “lobby”.
Eye of Europe is a Horizon Europe project aiming to promote foresight activities and build a community of experts in research and innovation with increasing levels of disciplinary and sectoral inclusiveness, as well as progressive levels of integration towards collective intelligence. The project has 17 partners, with CNR-DSSTTA also responsible for identifying the path that leads to the proposal of foresight priorities at European level.
AFONIA (Acoustic Field Orchestration: Noise information and Action) is a project that aims to study the interactions between different components of an ecosystem and its balance through the study of the acoustic field. The project addresses different ecosystems: sea, brain, soil and vegetation. DSSTTA provided the conceptualization of the project, the development of the instrumentation and the data analysis.
Ice Memory is an international research project recognized by UNESCO with a dual objective: to collect and preserve ice samples taken from glaciers around the world that could disappear or be greatly reduced due to global warming. The Department manages the financing of the project, coordinated by CNR-ISP.
The Arctic Research Program (PRA) is the Italian program that has the task of developing and supporting Italian scientific research in the Arctic. The CNR manages the funding and the Department coordinates the scientific activities.
The National Biodiversity Future Center has the task of conserving, restoring, monitoring and enhancing Italian and Mediterranean biodiversity. The Department is part of the project structure and contributes to the project activities.
BlueMissionMed is an EU-funded Coordination and Support Action to support the “Restore Our Ocean and Waters” Mission in the Mediterranean. The aim is to reduce hydrosphere pollution by 30-50% by 2030. The project develops a platform to provide Mediterranean countries with tools and knowledge to protect ecosystems, eliminate pollution and promote a sustainable and circular blue economy.
The Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (SBEP) is a global initiative that promotes a sustainable blue economy, integrating economic growth and environmental protection. It brings together governments, businesses and institutions to develop responsible maritime practices, promoting renewable energy, sustainable fisheries and climate resilience.
The National Antarctic Research Program (PNRA) is the Italian program that has the task of developing and supporting Italian scientific research in Antarctica. It is directed by the MUR and the CNR carries out the scientific coordination of the activities.