Press release Québec research organization recognized by UN for action supporting marine biodiversity in industrial port zonesINREST project endorsed as part of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Sept-Îles, QC, October 16, 2024 – The Northern Institute for Research in Environment and Occupational Health and Safety (INREST) is pleased to announce its project, Enviro-Actions: Preventive Management of Industrial-Port Zones, has been endorsed as part of United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030, coordinated by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. INREST’s Decade Action monitors ecosystems within industrial port zones for air and water quality in near-real time by implementing preventive environmental management systems. This groundbreaking scientific initiative supports the interests and wellbeing of a broad range of stakeholders by implementing projects while ensuring the preservation of ecosystems and the sustainable health of communities. “INREST’s Enviro-Action project addresses challenges encountered around the globe. This collaborative approach is essential to finding viable solutions to advance ocean-based industrial practices to ensure these key socioeconomic engines are sustainable. INREST is recognised by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission for its engagement and commitment to the UN vision of ‘the science we need for the ocean we want’. Together, let us create the ocean we want!” said Dr. Julie Carrière, eng., executive director of INREST. Port zones represent critical territorial, industrial and socio-economic development, and are key land-sea interfaces in communities around the world. The challenges this project addresses include understanding and overcoming marine pollution and protecting and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity. “Along with our key partners, we believe the best path forward to protect and improve marine ecosystems is to better measure the impact of human activities which are critical for social and economic prosperity. Our approach is to implement preventive management tools to allow sustainable development. The Enviro-Actions project provides important data and management tools to help decision makers reach these objectives in industrial and ports zones,” said Dr. Carrière. About INREST: INREST is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote scientific research in the fields of the environment, health and safety at work. As such, it aims to offer essential tools for sustainable development in its areas of expertise. To do this, the Institute acts as a key player, fostering projects that focus on partnerships with various stakeholders (universities, research centres, organizations, etc.), who ensure the success of these projects through their commitment and expertise. INREST conducts research and provides scientific support to inform the decision-making of all the actors concerned. About the Industrial and Ports expertise Center (CEIP): INREST has distinguished itself on the international scene with the creation of the Industrial and Ports expertise Center (CEIP), a division of INREST. The CEIP’s flagship project is the implementation of environmental observatories and the instrumentalization of Quebec’s maritime territory as well as at the national and international levels with the aim of conserving ecosystems in all port and industrial areas of the territory, including the collection of live data and the issuance of Enviro-Alerts™ as dictated by the “Enviro-Actions™” preventive management model. About the Ocean Decade: Proclaimed in 2017 by the United Nations General Assembly, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) (‘the Ocean Decade’) seeks to stimulate ocean science and knowledge generation to reverse the decline of the state of the ocean system and catalyse new opportunities for sustainable development of this massive marine ecosystem. The vision of the Ocean Decade is ‘the science we need for the ocean we want’. The Ocean Decade provides a convening framework for scientists and stakeholders from diverse sectors to develop the scientific knowledge and the partnerships needed to accelerate and harness advances in ocean science to achieve a better understanding of the ocean system, and deliver science-based solutions to achieve the 2030 Agenda. The UN General Assembly mandated UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) to coordinate the preparations and implementation of the Decade. -30- | |
Source: Dr. Julie Carrière, eng. PhD Executive Director, INREST | For more information: Tim Duboyce Massy Forget Langlois Public Relations C: (514) 604-9282 tduboyce@mflrp.ca |