| February 26th, 2025 | Publications

Spotlight on the Latest Trends
Speakers from the Institute of Marine Research (IMR), GRID-Arendal, and the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) delivered presentations on the ten most significant trends shaping blue forests today. Topics included kelp restoration, Norway’s struggling seaweed industry, ecosystem accounting, blue forests reporting to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the effects of climate change on the health and resilience of different blue forest ecosystems.

Paige Hellbaum Eikeland during the breakfast seminar

Engaging Discussions and Next Steps
The seminar attracted a diverse audience, including representatives from research institutions, Norwegian government ministries, environmental organizations and businesses. The Q&A session was particularly dynamic, with participants raising key questions about scaling marine restoration and securing funding in a changing political climate. Several attendees emphasized the importance of combined public and private sector investment to support long-term conservation efforts.

Attendants also discussed:

• Kelp restoration as a tool for enhancing biodiversity and mitigating climate change
• Ecosystem accounting and its role in shaping sustainable ocean policies
• How marine ecosystems shape our identity, and how to connect with people and communities on a more personal level to foster change

Key takeaways from the event include the growing need for cross-sector collaboration to scale up restoration projects, the need to take into account the connectivity between habitats, including across national borders, and the importance of ensuring lasting impact.