This week marks the 4th Monaco Ocean Week, and the 12th meeting of the Monaco Blue Initiative which FPC is attending. The event brings together stakeholders in the marine sector in a week of debate on ocean conservation issues.
There can be no doubt how important debate, analysis and awareness-raising is to better understand the challenges related to the ocean.
Our oceans make up around two-thirds of our planet, and provide half the oxygen we breathe. According to the World Economic Forum, they have the potential to absorb around a third of global CO2 emissions, making them critical in the fight against climate breakdown.
Overfishing, climate change, pollution, habitat destruction, invasive species, and other forms of human exploitation have put our ocean at risk. No area has been left untouched and there is growing mainstream and investor awareness of the oceans and the role we can all play in ocean health.
To ensure a sustainable future, it is vital that we reverse this and protect and preserve healthy marine ecosystems. As Andy Muir, Blue Ocean Lead at FPC says, ''There is some truly inspiring innovation taking place in this space. We want to turn the spotlight on the most impactful solutions and technologies aiming at protecting the global ocean and highlight the essential role of entrepreneurship, innovation and investment to develop a sustainable blue economy.'
We're pleased to use this newsletter to highlight a number of key trends in this area. As well as sources to learn more about the vital importance of a Blue Ocean.
|
|
|
Attenborough's message for World Oceans Day
A powerful video message from Sir David Attenborough was presented to 90 Heads of State at the opening of the United Nations Ocean Conference.
|
|
Blue Ocean Innovation 2022
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 14 is to “conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.”
To achieve this, it is important to support the blue economy encouraging sustainable start-up companies, innovators and innovations that can scale to solve the ocean’s grand challenges.
|
|
|
1. Plant-based fish and seafood products: Plant-based innovation is one of the biggest and most exciting growth areas in the food industry today, and while meat substitutes are the fastest growing sub-category in this market (an increase of 152 percent in 2019), fish and shellfish alternatives are now poised for dynamic growth. Investment in alternative fish and seafood startups has been brisk, with new companies and products starting to expand the market.
|
|
|
|
2. Reversing the plastics crisis: Plastics are useful. They're used to help make lifesaving medical supplies, lightweight, fuel-efficient car parts, and insulation for our homes. But nearly half of all plastic produced goes towards single-use items such as bags, straws, utensils and takeout containers. There's a number of companies trying to develop cost-efficient and eco-friendly substitutes, from mushroom packaging to advanced fibers and plastic-free online shopping.
|
|
|
3. Ocean-based renewable energies: Rapid transformation of our energy systems is required if we are to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and limit the global average temperature rise. In addition to expanding land-based renewable energy, the ocean offers significant potential for supporting this transition. However, new technologies must be implemented in a sustainable way in order
to avoid unintended consequences that could undermine other aspects of ocean health.
|
|
|
|
Roslin Technologies
- the future of meat for ourselves and our pets!
We recently co-hosted a breakfast with Roslin Technologies, which brought together leading voices from investment, policy, business, academia, and civil society.
Our aim was to share perspectives and learn about the opportunities and challenges in taking cultivated meat from the laboratory to the supermarket shelf, whilst explaining how cultivated meat can help solve global food security by providing affordable, nutritious food to billions with a significantly reduced carbon footprint.
Cultivated meat uses significantly less land, water and energy than conventional meats. The Good Food Institute study has shown fully adopting lab-grown meats could lead to a 92% reduction in meat emissions, at a similar production cost.
Technology, policy, investment, business models, and public acceptance will influence the pace of adoption. And building on its historic strengths in biotechnology, life sciences, and innovation, the UK could prove to be one of the leading countries in developing and capturing the value from this growing market.
Roslin Technologies is an advanced biotechnology spin-out from the University of Edinburgh’s world-leading Roslin Institute, which has created self-renewing stem cells being used by many of the leading players in the cultivated meat production industry. The company was featured in The Times yesterday and we'd be delighted to share further news with you.
Please get in touch to find out more.
|
|
|
Challenge Investing
Within our universe, we have a significant number of companies that are helping to profitably address this significant and timely global challenge. If you’d like to invest in some of the most promising growth companies based on top research then please don't hesitate to get in touch.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
