Speaker
Description
Advancements in monitoring and predicting our coastlines is vital for coastal protection in the face of climate change. Novel developments in Digital Ocean technology are driving these advancements, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) enhanced numerical models and coastal observations leveraging data fusion and high-resolution products. The EU Horizon FOCCUS project (Forecasting and Observing the Open-to-Coastal Ocean for Copernicus Users; foccus-project.eu) builds on this technology and the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service to advance its coastal dimension by improving existing capabilities and developing innovative coastal products. Collaboration between the project’s 19 partners from 11 countries with their own Member State Coastal Systems (MSCS) and users gives the project a pan-European perspective.
Endorsed by the UN Ocean Decade’s CoastPredict program, FOCCUS enhances the coastal capabilities of Copernicus Marine through three key pillars: i) developing novel high-resolution coastal data products by integrating multi-platform observations (remote sensing and in-situ), AI algorithms, and advanced data fusion techniques for improved coastal monitoring; ii) developing advanced hydrology and coastal models including a pan-European hydrological ensemble for improved river discharge predictions, and improving member state coastal systems by testing new methodologies in MSCS production chains while taking advantage of stochastic simulation, ensemble approaches, and AI technology; and iii) demonstrating innovative products and improved co-produced services that address both environmental and societal challenges, enhancing the performance and societal relevance of coastal ocean forecasting systems. FOCCUS emphasizes codevelopment and collaboration with end-users, policy-makers, and local communities, supporting informed and advanced decision-making processes for sustainable coastal management and climate adaptation strategies in a changing world.