Engaging Stakeholders to Address Marine Pollution: SOS-ZEROPOL2030 at European Maritime Day

| June 2nd, 2025 | News

From 21-23 May, SOS-ZEROPOL2030 workshop participants came together to explore how to address challenges around science communication and stakeholder engagement in the context of marine pollution. The session showcased the projects efforts to make evidence-based scientific information for different marine pollutants more accessible for diverse audiences and engaging by using creative and transdisciplinary approaches.

Living Labs

A key focus was the Living Lab approach, which fosters collaboration with stakeholders around three regional seas and focuses on Tyre Wear Particles (TWPs) and PFAS, two pollutants that are poorly understood and regulated but increasingly present in our marine environments. Led by a diverse team of experts in marine pollution, science policy, stakeholder engagement, and science communication, the workshop introduced several of the SOS-ZEROPOL2030 approaches with:

  • Kathrin Kopke (University College Cork, Ireland), Project Coordinator, who opened the session, introduced SOS-ZEROPOL2030 and moderated the workshop.
  • Thomas Heising (University College Cork) introduced the ZEROPOL Hub, an online library that provides accessible, reliable, searchable and scientifically accurate resources on marine pollution for diverse audience.
  • Remco Lameijer (GRID-Arendal, Norway) showcased interactive StoryMaps on PFAS and tyre wear particles, demonstrating how narrative-driven visuals can demystify complex topics.
  • Thomais Vlachogianni (Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture & Sustainable Development) presented on stakeholder engagement strategies in the Mediterranean with focus on TWPs, emphasising the value of regional Living Labs in co-creating science-based and fit-purpose solutions.

Optimism and momentum

Participants engaged in small group discussions to share their concerns and insights to highlight challenges and ideas for improving how science is communicated and how stakeholders are involved around marine pollution topics. Despite identified challenges, there was also a sense of optimism and momentum toward better practices.

 

In conclusion participants summarised their shared perspectives by identifying agreed upon key strengths and weaknesses in current approaches:

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
  • Increase of multidisciplinary collaboration
  • Growing inclusion of diverse, intergenerational audiences
  • Increasing use of personal stories and lived experience
  • More tools to combat greenwashing and build trust
  • Clearer incentives and empowerment messages to inspire action
  • Limited time and funding for developing science communication resources and effective stakeholder engagement approaches
  • Lack of audience-specific communication
  • Over-simplified or sensationalist messaging
  • Overuse of AI-generated summaries that miss context and nuance

The SOS-ZEROPOL2030 workshop was a powerful reminder that effective science communication and stakeholder engagement are not optional but essential. A heartfelt thank you to all participants and facilitators who contributed to the vibrant dialogue and collaborative spirit of the workshop. Special thanks to Clara Felberbauer, Cork City Council, Brit Alexander, European Marine Board and Aoife Deane, MaREI, University College Cork, who stepped in to support the event as group facilitators on short notice!

The SOS-ZEROPOL2030 team at European Maritime Day (credit: Kathrin Kopke, UCC)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

News

Shaping Source-to-Sea Prevention and Mitigation Scenarios for Tyre Wear Particle pollution

The 2nd edition of the SOS-ZEROPOL2030 Mediterranean Living Lab took place in Athens on 6-7 May 2025, bringing together key stakeholders to explore effective strategies for reducing car tyre particle [...] Read more
Living Lab develops future scenarios addressing PFAS in the Black Sea

The Second Living Lab workshop for the Black Sea on Exploring scenarios for reducing persistent chemicals in the Black Sea basin, took place on 8–9 April 2025 in Varna, Bulgaria. The SOS-ZEROPOL2030[...] Read more
Living Labs: PFAS use in medical applications – exploring transition scenarios

How can we find the right balance between maintaining high-quality healthcare and reducing PFAS pollution? That was the central question explored by a diverse group of experts from hospitals, healthca[...] Read more