the erc project plant
PLAnT is a 5-year research project funded by the European Research Council (ERC)
through a Starting Grant (1.5 M €) to Dr Catarina Frazão Santos. PLAnT is based
at Ciências ULisboa, University of Lisbon, and started in march 1, 2024.
The project overarching goal is to explore the benefits and challenges of developing a
comprehensive climate-smart marine spatial planning (MSP) initiative in Antarctica
and the Southern Ocean. To that purpose, PLAnT has 5 building blocks, all of them deeply
interconnected, all using a variety of methodologies from natural to social sciences.
through a Starting Grant (1.5 M €) to Dr Catarina Frazão Santos. PLAnT is based
at Ciências ULisboa, University of Lisbon, and started in march 1, 2024.
The project overarching goal is to explore the benefits and challenges of developing a
comprehensive climate-smart marine spatial planning (MSP) initiative in Antarctica
and the Southern Ocean. To that purpose, PLAnT has 5 building blocks, all of them deeply
interconnected, all using a variety of methodologies from natural to social sciences.
5 building blocks
Topic 1 pertains to identifying existing conditions, a picture of where we are now in
terms of ocean uses and resources in the Southern Ocean. This is the basis for any MSP process.
Topic 2 pertains to imagining multiple futures taking a mixed approach, using climate modelling
and building narratives and scenarios based on stakeholders perceptions and preferences.
Topic 3 pertains to identifying climate actions to be supported through MSP, and ways to
ensure dynamic and flexible governance and management approaches to adapt to change.
Topic 4 pertains to developing a policy ethnography to unravel the political, social, and economic
factors that influence (and limit) MSP development and implementation in Antarctica.
Topic 5 pertains to exploring lessons learned to be applied to other regions on
climate-smart MSP and on MSP in international waters
(e.g., codes of conduct, roadmaps, and best-practices).
terms of ocean uses and resources in the Southern Ocean. This is the basis for any MSP process.
Topic 2 pertains to imagining multiple futures taking a mixed approach, using climate modelling
and building narratives and scenarios based on stakeholders perceptions and preferences.
Topic 3 pertains to identifying climate actions to be supported through MSP, and ways to
ensure dynamic and flexible governance and management approaches to adapt to change.
Topic 4 pertains to developing a policy ethnography to unravel the political, social, and economic
factors that influence (and limit) MSP development and implementation in Antarctica.
Topic 5 pertains to exploring lessons learned to be applied to other regions on
climate-smart MSP and on MSP in international waters
(e.g., codes of conduct, roadmaps, and best-practices).
inspiring nations around the globe
PLAnT brings a unique opportunity to inspire nations all around the world
on new pathways to plan for sustainability and equity in a changing ocean.
The Southern Ocean can serve as a testbed for the wider application of comprehensive
climate-smart MSP. It can guide decisions on how marine resources can be used sustainably even as
the world changes, providing a model for international and national waters everywhere.
on new pathways to plan for sustainability and equity in a changing ocean.
The Southern Ocean can serve as a testbed for the wider application of comprehensive
climate-smart MSP. It can guide decisions on how marine resources can be used sustainably even as
the world changes, providing a model for international and national waters everywhere.
Learn more about the potential benefits of climate-smart marine spatial planning (MSP)
in the Southern Ocean — and other areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) — in the project scientific
publication from May 2024 in the top journal Science (here).
in the Southern Ocean — and other areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) — in the project scientific
publication from May 2024 in the top journal Science (here).