Navigating the Future: NOC’s 2025–2035 Strategy for Ocean Science and Innovation

The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) has launched its strategic vision for 2025–2035, outlining a transformative agenda for the UK’s ocean science and technology landscape. This decade-long strategy builds on NOC’s independence since 2019 and emphasizes its unique role in delivering impartial, world-class marine science to inform public policy, economic development, and environmental stewardship.

The strategy is structured around three key ambitions:

1. Scientific Leadership – pushing the boundaries of ocean knowledge, from deep-sea exploration to climate-ocean interactions.

2. Technological Innovation – developing autonomous systems, digital ocean models, and data infrastructure to revolutionize marine research.

3. National & Global Impact – fostering partnerships, supporting UK maritime capability, and shaping international ocean governance.

NOC identifies six “Grand Challenges”, including climate change, ocean health, sea-level rise, and sustainable use of marine resources. It commits to open science, inclusivity, and expanding access to ocean data and technologies.

With a strong focus on sustainability, the strategy also addresses NOC’s role in supporting the UK’s net-zero targets and coastal resilience.

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Key Points for Policymakers

• Supports UK net-zero and climate resilience goals through scientific insights and innovations.

• Informs evidence-based ocean policy via independent and impartial marine science.

• Enhances national capability in ocean monitoring, maritime security, and disaster preparedness.

• Reinforces UK leadership in global ocean governance and science diplomacy.

Read the full article here: STRATEGY 2025-2035