The proposed project “Readiness of ICOS for Necessities of integrated Global Observations” (RINGO) aims to further development of ICOS RI and ICOS ERIC and foster its sustainability. The challenges are to further develop the readiness of ICOS RI along five principal objectives: 1. Scientific readiness. To support the further consolidation of the observational networks and enhance their quality. This objective is mainly science-guided and will increase the readiness of ICOS RI to be the European pillar in a global observation system on greenhouse gases. 2. Geographical readiness. To enhance ICOS membership and sustainability by supporting interested countries to build a national consortium, to promote ICOS towards the national stakeholders, to receive consultancy e.g. on possibilities to use EU structural fund to build the infrastructure for ICOS observations and also to receive training to improve the readiness of the scientists to work inside ICOS. 3. Technological readiness. To further develop and standardize technologies for greenhouse gas observations necessary to foster new knowledge demands and to account for and contribute to technological advances. 4. Data readiness. To improve data streams towards different user groups, adapting to the developing and dynamic (web) standards. 5. Political and administrative readiness. To deepen the global cooperation of observational infrastructures and with that the common societal impact. Impact is expected on the further development and sustainability of ICOS via scientific, technical and managerial progress and by deepening the integration into global observation and data integration systems.

This research project endeavours to pioneer a biological solution for mitigating carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from effluent gases produced by bioenergy combustion systems. The primary focus is on converting the captured CO2 into carbon-negative energy carriers, specifically emphasizing the photosynthetic conversion of biogenic CO2 into energy-rich biomass. The transformation of this biomass into widely used renewable energy carriers, such as biocrude and biogas, is targeted, with an additional emphasis on enriching these carriers with renewable hydrogen to achieve carbon circularity. The project is structured to address key aspects, including; efficient biogenic CO2 capture from effluent systems, development of resilient microalgae strains to enhance resistance to flue gas toxicity, novel biomass pre-treatment methods for cell disruption and nitrogen removal (concurrent production of biostimulants), and improvements in the efficiency and sustainability of hydrothermal liquefaction (biocrude), anaerobic digestion (biogas) and hydrogenotropic conversion of CO2 to biomethane. The ultimate goal is to validate the viability of the developed direct CO2 fixation methods through integration with effluent systems at a pilot scale, reaching TRL5. This multifaceted approach underscores the project's commitment to advancing sustainable and efficient methods for biogenic CO2 fixation and subsequent conversion into renewable energy carriers. To assess the economic viability, a detailed techno-economic analysis of the proposed carbon capture and use solution will be conducted. Furthermore, sustainability and social impact assessments will be performed, taking into account circular economy principles and addressing social, economic, and environmental aspects in alignment with the priorities outlined in the European Green Deal.

In addition to urgently needed emission reductions, the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C highlighted with high confidence that all projected pathways that limit warming to 1.5°C also require the use of Negative Emission Technologies (NETs). The majority of NETs research has focused on land-based methods, however, meeting climate mitigation targets with land-based NETs alone, will be extremely difficult, if not impossible. NET knowledge on the ocean-based counterpart, which has a considerably higher capacity to store carbon, remains limited. OceanNETs will investigate the feasibility and impacts of emerging ocean-based NETs through a transdisciplinary research approach. We will establish if ocean-based NETs can play a substantial and sustainable role in medium-to-long term pathways that achieve climate neutrality from the perspective of reaching the Paris Agreement goals. The impacts of ocean-based NETs on society and the Earth system will also be determined. The respective policy challenges, as well as the implications of interactions between ocean- and terrestrial-based NETs in these pathways, will also be assessed. Analyses will account for both risks and co-benefits, as well as any feedbacks these may have on NET efficacy and feasibility. The project will contribute to major international, national, and EU assessments of possible climate mitigation options. OceanNETs breaks new ground by bringing together recognized NET experts from economic, political, legal, social, and natural sciences and establishing a tight dialogue with stakeholders in a single integrated project. The scientific experts will synergistically work in parallel and together, whilst interacting with stakeholders, to evaluate ocean-based NETs within a UN sustainable development goals framework. The strength of OceanNETs lies in its transdisciplinary approach as opposed to existing disciplinary studies.

Citizens' digital health literacy is an essential element for successful eHealth deployment. However, citizens often do not have the necessary skills to find, understand and appraise online health information and apply their knowledge to make health decisions. Digitally health literate citizens are empowered to play a more active role in their health self-management, resulting in improved prevention, adherence to a healthier lifestyle and better health outcomes. IC-Health will provide support for the improvement of digital health literacy in Europe. In particular, the project will design 35 open access online courses (MOOCs), in seven different national languages, for different population cohorts including children, adolescents, pregnant and lactating women, elderly and people affected or susceptible to be affected by type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The identified population cohorts, along with health professionals, academics and other practitioners, will be organised in Communities of Practice and involved directly in the co-creation of the MOOCs content and structure. Once the courses are be designed, they will be tested by the members of the CoPs and by other users. MOOCs use and impact will be monitored and assessed in order to ensure their uptake and sustainability beyond the duration of the project.

Microbiomes are essential for life on Earth, playing a key role in food systems by enhancing plant growth and health, and providing sustainable protein sources. The EU’s FOOD 2030 initiative emphasizes developing protein alternatives to promote plant-based diets. The MICROBIOMES4SOY project uses soybeans as a proof-of-concept to explore microbiome pathways. Soybeans, with their high protein content and ideal amino acid profile, are increasingly cultivated in Europe. However, expanding cultivation requires addressing climatic challenges, improving plant stress resilience, and reducing fertilizer and pesticide use. Aquaculture is crucial for food security, and sustainable practices are needed to make European aquaculture more competitive, such as replacing fishmeal with alternative protein sources, supporting also a beneficial human gut microbiome. Soybean meal is a common fishmeal alternative in aquafeeds due to its high protein density and favourable amino acid profile. However, issues like palatability and antinutritional factors limit its use, especially for carnivorous fish. Processing strategies like fermentation can reduce these factors, enhance protein content, and improve feed intake. The MICROBIOMES4SOY project addresses these challenges, focus on a blue fish, salmon (Salmo salar). MICROBIOMES4SOY HOP ON project aims to extend findings to Mediterranean aquaculture, particularly a white fish extensively cultivated in Europe, sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) developing novel aquafeeds coming from microbiome enhanced crops with high soy protein content, using fermentation to improve fish performance and gut health, ultimately creating healthier and more sustainable diets