Diving Into Oceans Data: New technologies and implications to support corporate reporting

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The session was moderated by Tony Goldner and focused on how innovative data collection methods and metrics are revolutionizing the Blue Economy and informing corporate reporting in alignment with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) framework.

The ocean-realm covers 70% of the world surface and supports an economy, the Blue Economy, worth more than US$1.5 trillion per year. This makes it the seventh largest economy in the world. There is an abundance of ocean data available for decision-making including understanding risk, undertaking mitigation action, and imperatively, addressing impacts on nature and the opportunity to address them.  

TNFD has recognised the need to provide for the ocean realm, including oceans in its recommendations and, now expanding on the indicators presented to include metrics and measurements for ocean-based sectors.

Key focus areas of this webinar

  • Understand TNFD’s Recommendations framework: Gain insights into the TNFD’s work on oceans and metrics, and how ocean data can be incorporated into nature-related reporting using the TNFD recommendations and guidance. .
  • Diving into how global stakeholders are collaborating to define, collect, aggregate and monitor data specific to the ocean realm to help ensure a Sustainable Blue Economy.  
  • Explore new ocean data being collected using innovative techniques and insights. Discover how these advancements are shaping the future of our seas and supporting the TNFD’s work on ocean metrics.
  • Explore current gaps and challenges in ocean-related data collection and measurement, and consider the future outlook.

Key outcomes of this webinar

  • Innovative data collection techniques: We explored the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) and microplastics monitoring, with practical examples from Keith Tuffley and Dr. Kat Bruce, who have both spent significant time on the ocean collecting critical data.  
  • Data Aggregation and Accessibility: Kimberly Mathisen from HUB Ocean discussed the need for a unified approach to ocean data, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors to enhance data accessibility and decision-making. 
  • TNFD’s Work on Ocean Metrics: Laura Clavey and Cathrine Armour delved into the TNFD’s ongoing efforts to integrate ocean data into corporate reporting. This discussion highlighted the future direction of ocean metrics and their critical role in sustainability frameworks. 

Guests

Cathrine is the global Director of Data Initiatives for the Task Force on Nature Related Disclosures (TNFD).

Previously she was Chief Responsible Investment Solutions Officer for the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). Leading the delivery of PRI’s 2023 Reporting Cycle a 98.5% uptake of members reporting was achieved following redesign of the reporting framework, reporting tool and data platform.

She is a seasoned leader of strategic, policy-centric organisations - leveraging science and technology to achieve cross-cutting innovation and research. During her tenure as Chief Customer Officer at the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO), Cathrine led the organisations global commercial portfolio, realising annual revenues more than £160m, delivering marine data solutions that support safe, secure, and thriving oceans.

Having founder her career in geospatial data and technology she is an advocate for open data and committed to the value of data in answering mission critical questions in global policy development and decision-making including commercialisation and economic development. This has included establishing the Southwest Centre of Excellence for Satellite Applications as inaugural Director, founding Ordnance Survey’s Award Winning ‘Geovation’ Accelerator and Hub and leading the international Eye on Earth programme for global cooperation in the use and access of environmental data for sustainable development.

Cathrine holds a BSc Environmental Studies from James Cook University, Postgraduate Certificate in Business and Technology from the University of New South Wales, and studied sustainability, leadership and impact at Said Business School, University of Oxford. She is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and presently serves as an Advisory Board Member for the National Centre for Earth Observation, and Independent Member of the Board of Governors, Falmouth University.

Currently she is completing a Master of Science in Applied Positive Psychology. Her academic interest lay at nexus of activist leadership, decision intelligence, and environment and society.

Kat is a biodiversity scientist and a global pioneer in environmental DNA for large-scale biodiversity assessment. Kat founded NatureMetrics in 2014 to improve the ability of businesses, governments, and NGOs to measure and track the state of nature at site-based assets. From a team of 4 scientists, NatureMetrics has become one of the world’s leading nature technology companies, helping hundreds of companies to track their impacts and make better decisions for nature across global portfolios of sites. She is one of the founding members of the UK Business and Biodiversity Forum, part of the TNFD data catalyst, and has been involved in both Climate and Biodiversity COPs in recent years as a leading voice in the fast-emerging field of NatureTech.

Laura has a multi-disciplined background, which spans environmental research, consultancy, sustainability disclosures and policy. Before joining TNFD, Laura was the biodiversity lead within the Climate Disclosure Standards Board’s technical team, developing material on natural capital including the Biodiversity Application Guidance. Prior to this, Laura has been involved in the production of the British Ecological Society’s policy-focused landmark report on Nature-Based Solutions to Climate Change, has provided innovative sustainability consulting services using a total capital accounting framework and has worked as a Senior Economic Analyst at Ernst & Young.

Laura holds an MSc in Conversation and Biodiversity and a BA in Economics, and is also a qualified chartered accountant.

Based in London, Laura speaks English.

Kimberly Mathisen is a CEO and board member who loves the challenge of helping organizations find new sources of energy and growth and more innovative and sustainable business models.

In January 2022, Kimberly became the CEO of HUB Ocean, a non-profit foundation aimed at becoming the world’s ocean data collaboration hub. Their goal is to change the fate of the ocean by unleashing the power of data, technology, and collaboration.

She has more than 25 years of experience in the private sector in Digitalization and Technology, Branded Consumer Goods, and Pharmaceuticals in North America, Europe and Asia, most recently leading a period of enormous growth and transformation as the General Manager of Microsoft Norway. She also serves on the Supervisory Board of Bayer AG and the Board of Directors of Aker Biomarine, Aker Horizons and Aize. She has been named as one of Norway’s most influential leaders by Kapital and one of Norway’s top female executives in technology by Abelia and Oda Network.

Keith is the Founder & CEO of Neuw Ventures, an impact investment company that creates and finances new businesses whose core purpose is to reduce the human ecological footprint. NEUW has founded several businesses including Grand Tours Project (road cycling tours) and The Adventure Yacht Company ("Sail and Science" expeditions).

As Chairman of Energy Transition & Sustainability at Citi (2019-24), he provided advice to CEOs and Boards on how to transition their businesses towards a net-zero & nature-positive future.

He’s currently leading a new project - an expedition to sail across the Northwest Passage from Norway to Alaska in June-Sept 2024. This project will be promoting ocean health and restoration and informing the science of Planetary Tipping Points.

He serves on the boards and advisory councils of several organisations that promote conservation, climate action, and sustainability leadership, including the Villars Institute in Switzerland, the EO Wilson Biodiversity Foundation, and the Climate Leaders Coalition Australia.

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