Fugro Aims to Help Save the World’s Oceans Using Geodata
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Fugro Aims to Help Save the World’s Oceans Using Geodata

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Paloma Duran By Paloma Duran | Journalist and Industry Analyst - Tue, 01/10/2023 - 10:25
Fugro

Fugro, the world's leading geodata specialist, has become a global benchmark within the private sector for its environmental efforts, not only because its services help clients design, build and operate assets safely and sustainably but also because it has partnered with key international institutions to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Over the years, Fugro has found itself with great impetus in today's market, since its solutions and services address some of the world's top priorities and concerns, such as promoting a clean energy transition, building sustainable infrastructure and mitigating climate change. Fugro´s sustainable offerings contribute especially to five of the 17 SDGs, where the company considers its positive impact most meaningful. These SDGs are: SDG 7 affordable and clean energy; SDG 9 industry, innovation and infrastructure; SDG 11 sustainable cities and communities, SDG 14 life below water; and SDG 15 life on land.

In regard to the SDG 15, Fugro has been actively working to minimize the impact on terrestrial ecosystems and land degradation through sustainable designs and water management consultancies. In 2021, the company assessed the impact of its activities on biodiversity in an effort to continue implementing mitigation measures in its offerings.

SDG 14, which seeks to conserve and sustainably use marine resources in oceans and seas, is one of the areas where most of Fugro's environmental efforts have been directed. Over the years, the company has offered leading support for initiatives aimed at providing key missing data that will help improve ocean research. The most comprehensive of these initiatives is the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (Ocean Decade), which develops a global framework for ocean science data that will allow countries to have better conditions for sustainable ocean development as well as restore the oceans ecosystems. A second, complementary initiative is The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project, whose purpose is to complete the mapping of the world's oceans by 2030 and promotes the compilation of all bathymetric data in the GEBCO Ocean Map. 

As an example of the company’s level of commitment to the goals of SDG 14, Fugro is partnering with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (IOC-UNESCO) to actively support the Ocean Decade. Under this partnership, and as a member of the Ocean Decade Alliance, Fugro is helping to lead two key working groups: the Data Coordination Group is focused on the development and implementation of an Ocean Decade Data Strategy to improve the way global ocean science data is accessed and shared, and the Corporate Data Group is focused  on creating frameworks and mechanism to unlock privately owned ocean data for the benefit of humanity.

IOC-UNESCO Executive Secretary Dr. Vladimir Ryabinin stated, “IOC and Fugro may be different kinds of organizations, one intergovernmental, one commercial, but we share the same ultimate goal, which is to bring ocean science and surveys to the service of the people. Not only does IOC appreciate the possibility to capitalize on Fugro’s technological leadership and expertise in ocean Geo-data; the most important element for IOC in working closely with Fugro on the Ocean Decade is their leadership in opening data to the world, offering an unprecedented example for the private sector. IOC is a standard-setting organization in ocean science and data, and Fugro is setting a new golden standard in moving towards making ocean data a common good.”

“It is critical that the private sector help lead this global initiative. We collectively have much to offer and gain from a sustainable and equitable ocean economy,” said Mark Heine, CEO of Fugro. Terry McConnell, a digital transformation expert with Fugro who has provided leadership to the IOC-UNESCO partnership adds: “It is not about what we can get out of it. It is about why we should be doing this as a good corporate citizen and as good individual citizens.”

Fugro is the world’s leading geodata specialist, collecting and analyzing comprehensive information about the Earth and the structures built upon it. Fugro provides solutions by adopting an integrated approach that incorporates acquisition and analysis of geodata and related advice. With expertise in site characterization and asset integrity, clients are supported in the safe, sustainable and efficient design, construction and operation of their assets throughout the complete life cycle.

 

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