The third edition of the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme ‘Marine Environmental Threats’, co-lead by the Universities of Pavia, University of Azores and University of the Basque Country has received a prestigious endorsement by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO in the framework of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) (‘the Ocean Decade’).

Proclaimed in 2017 by the United Nations General Assembly, the Ocean Decade seeks to stimulate ocean science and knowledge generation to reverse the decline of the state of the ocean system and catalyse new opportunities for sustainable development of this massive marine ecosystem.

The vision of the Ocean Decade is ‘the science we need for the ocean we want’.

Students from bachelor and master degrees attending Marine Environmental Threats (MET) are instructed on topics addressing the following Ocean Decade Challenges: (#1) Understand and beat marine pollution; (#2) Protect and restore ecosystems and biodiversity; (#3) Sustainably nourish the global populations; (#5) Unlock ocean-based solution to climate change; (#10) Restore society’s relationship with the ocean.

This Erasmus+ programme also aligns with the following Decade objectives:

Build capacity and generate knowledge → MET addresses topics that are not normally treated in academic programs of the three partner Universities, hence improving students awareness and knowledge on marine environmental issues, while also providing some practical skills during the laboratories and fieldwork training.

Contribute to the achievement of the SDGs → MET specifically addresses ocean-related SDGs, and students who pass the final exam obtain an open badge showcasing them. In 2024, the Italian National Erasmus Agency reported MET as an example of good practice in education to environmental sustainability in higher education institutions.

Strengthens / creates partnerships across nations, including users of ocean science → MET is inherently international, involving teaching staff and students from at least 3 different countries. During the three editions more than 88 students were formed and more than 15 teaching and research staff participated in the lessons.