In addition to urgently needed emission reductions, the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C highlighted with high confidence that all projected pathways that limit warming to 1.5°C also require the use of Negative Emission Technologies (NETs). The majority of NETs research has focused on land-based methods, however, meeting climate mitigation targets with land-based NETs alone, will be extremely difficult, if not impossible. NET knowledge on the ocean-based counterpart, which has a considerably higher capacity to store carbon, remains limited. OceanNETs will investigate the feasibility and impacts of emerging ocean-based NETs through a transdisciplinary research approach. We will establish if ocean-based NETs can play a substantial and sustainable role in medium-to-long term pathways that achieve climate neutrality from the perspective of reaching the Paris Agreement goals. The impacts of ocean-based NETs on society and the Earth system will also be determined. The respective policy challenges, as well as the implications of interactions between ocean- and terrestrial-based NETs in these pathways, will also be assessed. Analyses will account for both risks and co-benefits, as well as any feedbacks these may have on NET efficacy and feasibility. The project will contribute to major international, national, and EU assessments of possible climate mitigation options. OceanNETs breaks new ground by bringing together recognized NET experts from economic, political, legal, social, and natural sciences and establishing a tight dialogue with stakeholders in a single integrated project. The scientific experts will synergistically work in parallel and together, whilst interacting with stakeholders, to evaluate ocean-based NETs within a UN sustainable development goals framework. The strength of OceanNETs lies in its transdisciplinary approach as opposed to existing disciplinary studies.

The PAGER project will provide space weather predictions that will be initiated from observations on the Sun and will predict radiation in space and its effects on satellite infrastructure. Real-time predictions and a historical record of the dynamics of the cold plasma density and ring current will allow for evaluation of surface charging, and predictions of the relativistic electron fluxes will allow for the evaluation of deep dielectric charging. We will provide a 1-2 day probabilistic forecast of ring current and radiation belt environments, which will allow satellite operators to respond to predictions that present a significant threat. As a backbone of the project, we will use the most advanced codes that currently exist. Codes outside of Europe will be transferred to operation in Europe, such as components of the state-of-the-art Space Weather Modelling Framework (SWMF). We will adapt existing codes to perform ensemble simulations and will perform uncertainty quantifications. The project will include a number of innovative tools including data assimilation and uncertainty quantification, new models of near-Earth electromagnetic wave environment, ensemble predictions of solar wind parameters at L1, and data-driven forecast of the geomangetic Kp index and plasma density. The developed codes may be used in the future for realistic modelling of extreme space weather events. Consultations with stakeholders will be central for the project. We will reach out to scientific, industry and government stakeholders and will tailor our products for the stakeholder’s needs and requirements. Dissemination of the results will play a central role in the project. Our team includes leading academic and industry experts in space weather research, space physics, empirical data modelling, and space environment effects on spacecraft from Europe and the US.

In a world grappling with complex global challenges such as population growth, climate change, and environmental degradation, ensuring security, sustainability, and food safety is paramount. Agricultural practices and food production processes are integral to public health, economic stability, and societal well-being. However, conventional approaches have often operated in isolation, limiting our understanding and hindering scalability. The WHEATWATCHER initiative seeks to break these barriers by uniting soil health monitoring, plant health assessment, and food traceability through a cutting-edge digital soil monitoring system. This system assesses soil nutrition, chemical, and biological factors impacting wheat grains from field growth to flour production, spanning multiple European regions. By actively involving stakeholders, including farmers, mill proprietors, and policymakers, WHEATWATCHER tailors its solution to practical needs. It leverages diverse sensor technologies, advanced machine learning models, and automated mapping techniques to boost efficiency and scalability. A Decision Support System and cloud platform ensure accessible insights. At its core, a machine learning model seamlessly integrates technologies, creating a cohesive solution that bridges the gaps between soil health, plant health, and food traceability. WHEATWATCHER aims to foster harmony between sensing technologies, data processing, and stakeholder engagement, revolutionizing comprehensive monitoring.