Surfrider Foundation Europe, for the preservation of the Ocean

Introduction

Surfrider Foundation Europe (SFE) is a non-profit organization (NGO) dedicated to the conservation of Europe’s ocean, seas, beaches, lakes, rivers, and coastlines. The proposal will contribute to achieving the following objectives:

Reducing Marine Litter

Contribute to reduce marine litter by 50% by 2030, in particular through the following specific objectives (SO):

• Reduce the consumption and the production of single-use plastics
• Prevent microplastic pollution and its different sources
• Prevent biomedia pollution coming from the wastewater treatment sector
• Reduce pollution coming from the loss of containers at sea
• Involve and mobilise citizens in the fight against marine litter

Enhancing Water Quality

Contribute to enhance European water quality and limit health risks due to ocean and sea pollution, in particular through the following specific objectives:

• Mitigate sanitary and environmental risks due to water pollution
• Reduce chemical and bacteriological pollution released by ships

Achieving Climate Neutrality

Contribute to achieve a climate-neutral society by 2050 and limit the climate change impacts on EU citizens through the creation of a risk management culture in the EU, in particular through the following specific objectives:

• Raising awareness of citizens in Europe about the impact of climate change on coastlines and the related risks
• Pushing for an end to offshore oil and gas drilling in EU waters

Political Engagement

Put ocean protection at the heart of political debates during European elections, in particular by offering EU citizens the possibility to express their views on Ocean Protection and by reaching out to political parties and MEP candidates on the proposals identified by citizens regarding ocean protection.

Implementation Strategy

To achieve these objectives, SFE will implement 4 complementary and intertwined levers of actions:

1. Development of its scientific expertise on ocean threats
2. Awareness raising campaigns
3. Advocacy strategies
4. Citizens empowerment through mobilisation