Welcome to the United Nations

June 2022 - You are accessing an old version of our website. The SDGs Voluntary Commitments have been migrated here: https://sdgs.un.org/partnerships

You will be redirected to the new Partnership Platform in 10 seconds.

#SDGAction9042
Our Oceans Challenge
Description/achievement of initiative

The Our Oceans Challenge (OOC) partner network consists of influential companies committed to generating innovative business models that promote clean and healthy oceans, not only by providing financial support but by sharing expertise and know-how with entrepreneurs and start-ups.

Implementation methodologies

OOCC provides an online co-creation platform for entrepreneurs, offshore experts, scientists and those who care for the oceans to share and enrich ideas for a clean and healthy ocean. After a selection made by our partners, we provide the means to realize these ideas by connecting entrepreneurs and start-ups with corporations their financial resources and expertise, thus shortening the time to market of ocean ventures while tackling some of our most pressing environmental and social challenges. CALL TO ACTION: In this first phase, OOC provided an online platform for innovators, entrepreneurs, students, scientist, engineers, producers, consumers and every other creative mind to share and co-create new ocean ventures. The online platform functioned as a solutions-focused meeting point where ideas could be posted, commented on, ‘liked’, discussed, and connected. Experts monitored trends and focused on connecting complementary solutions, maximising the potential of all platform visitors and their solutions. CHALLENGE EVENT: The OOC Challenge Event took place September 25th, 2014. OOC organised the event with the purpose selecting the most promising output of this platform, to share the outcomes of the Call to Action, to bring relevant parties together, and to provide network opportunities to everyone interested in ocean and marine related innovations. CO-CREATION AND DEMO DAY: The selected start-ups will be matched to a coalition of corporate partners which will support the development of their business concepts into investor-ready business plans by sharing skills, expertise, and resources. The final business plans will be pitched to potential investors during Demo Day.

Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer

Organisations and companies that take part in this initiative commit to sharing expertise, skills and resources with entrepreneurs and start-ups to take their ideas and together transform them into sustainable business.

Coordination mechanisms/governance structure

OOC partners see the value of being recognized as the first to have accepted the opportunity to co-create, incubate and accelerate ocean ventures. As a partner you will have first investment opportunities in the new ocean ventures launched by Our Oceans Challenge. However, OOC offers partners not only investment opportunities, but also new input on your innovation funnel, short time to market, value to your social and sustainable profile and stimulating the entrepreneurial DNA of your company by engaging your employees in the process.Partners become part of OOC through a sponsorship and in-kind contribution. Curious to see what the possibilities are for your organisation? Contact us via info@ouroceanschallenge.org.

Partner(s)

* Heerema Marine Contractors * Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) * KPMG * Outside, Inc. * Willteco * Innovation Factory * NIBC Direct * VU University Amsterdam * World Ocean Council * Jules Dock
Progress reports
Goal 7
7.2 - By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
7.3 - By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
7.a - By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology
Goal 8
Goal 13
Goal 14
14.1 - By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
14.2 - By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
14.3 - Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
14.4 - By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
14.5 - By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
14.a - Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
14.c - Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in UNCLOS, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of The Future We Want
Goal 17
17.16 - Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals in all countries, in particular developing countries
17.17 - Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships

Data, monitoring and accountability
April 2016
Start challenge on online platform
February 2016
Set up partner network challenge cycle 2016/2017
March 2016
Formulate challenge scope
Financing (in USD)
100,000 USD
Staff / Technical expertise
From all partners, strongly focused on maritime and technical expertise
In-kind contribution
In-kind contribution in terms of experts and human resources from all partner companies

Basic information
Time-frame: March/2016 - March/2017
Website
Partners
* Heerema Marine Contractors * Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) * KPMG * Outside, Inc. * Willteco * Innovation Factory * NIBC Direct * VU University Amsterdam * World Ocean Council * Jules Dock
Countries
Contact information
Seriena Bal, QASHE Advisor Sustainability / Project lead Our Oceans Challenge, sbal@hmc-heerema.com
United Nations