WOS 2022: Using data to drive investment

It’s Day 3 of Economist Impact’s World Ocean Summit! I moderated a plenary panel discussion on using data to drive investment. I was joined by Dag Sletmo, senior vice-president, DNB; Suzanne Johnson, senior advisor ocean, United Nations Global Compact and head of sustainability, Lloyd’s Register Foundation; and Grant Cavanaugh, chief investment officer, Scoot Science.

At the World Ocean Initiative we regularly examine the important role of harnessing data for building a sustainable ocean economy, including ESG data (or environmental, social and governance data). We devoted a whole chapter in our report on “A sustainable ocean economy in 2030 to the blue data revolution”. The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development that started last year offers a framework for renewed emphasis on ocean data.

From satellite imaging and remote sensors to big data and artificial intelligence, opportunities for ocean data generation are rising. Demand for new ocean data sets is also spurring the growth of companies that recognise the value—both environmental and financial—of being able to capture accurate, real-time information about what is happening in the ocean. Data also have a powerful role to play in reducing investment risk, in addition to harnessing new business opportunities.

This panel shared examples of data collection and analysis for evidence-based decision-making on investing across ocean-based industries, and in the restoration of ocean health.

Watch the summary video of day 3, narrated by me:

You can still register to watch all session on demand 👉https://bit.ly/3GT1GVu


More on the ocean economy: