UK-Norway Initiative On Ocean Greenhouse Gas Measurements

The University of Exeter and the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) have been selected as UK co-hosts for the Ocean Thematic Centre, operated under the Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS) European research infrastructure for long-term measuring of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, land and oceans across Europe.

Previously hosted by NORCE, the Norwegian Research Centre and the University of Bergen, researchers from the UK and Norway will now work together within the Ocean Thematic Centre, carrying out measurements from commercial and research vessels, as well as at fixed stations.

Dr Werner Kutsch, Director General of ICOS said: “The UK and Norway have a centuries-long history of sea-faring and also deep knowledge in marine research. Pooling their assets will bring forth developments in terms of standardisation, technology and data quality. I hope this cooperation will also spread this message even beyond current ICOS countries, to the entire global ocean community.”

Professor Richard Sanders, who recently moved from UK to Norway to take up the role of Director of the Ocean Thematic Centre, commented: “Obtaining accurate, up to the minute information regarding the ocean carbon sink is key to helping us formulate the policy responses needed to deal with climate change.”

Professor Douglas Connelly from the NOC, adds that research infrastructures bring together scientists working across disciplines and across national boundaries: “We joined ICOS because the greenhouse gas issue is global and we are delighted to play our part in solving them through research and collaboration. Addressing these big-picture questions demand large-scale, long-term investments, which need to be organised through a solid legal structure.  We want to operate together in a joined-up way and deliver solutions for the good of humanity.”

ICOS has two other thematic centres, concentrating on ecosystem and atmosphere observations, respectively. It also runs two central analytical labs for calibration standards and specific analyses on air samples.