The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) initiative was approved during the 32nd JPI Oceans Management Board meeting in October 2024. The scoping phase that is typical for our regular Joint Actions was shortcut in favour of rapidity to launch the Joint Action directly in response to the relevance of the subject and to allow a quick outcome delivery. This is a joint initiative with JPI Climate.
The initiative responds to growing concerns over ocean surface warming and the weakening of major ocean currents, particularly in the AMOC system. A scoping meeting has already taken place, bringing together experts and key stakeholders to outline the objectives and direction of this Joint Action. The potential weakening of AMOC is a subject of significant social concern and scientific debate. Addressing this complex issue requires collaboration across multiple scientific communities to provide a comprehensive yet timely understanding of the current state and trends, assessment of scenarios, and potential impacts.
This initiative aims to develop a Review Report on the latest State of Knowledge on AMOC. To address this, JPI Climate and JPI Oceans propose a collaborative process to synthesise and update key findings with input from leading experts. The report also aligns with priorities identified in the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance, in which JPI Oceans is actively involved through the OKEANO CSA and will seek to generate synergies among actions.
Recent scientific evidence has brought significant public and media attention to record-breaking ocean surface warming and the potential weakening of major ocean currents, particularly the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). The observed changes in Sea Surface Temperatures, combined with concerns over regional tipping points, could have profound consequences for Europe and beyond. Given these developments, there is a clear need for an authoritative update on the scientific understanding of AMOC, building on the findings of the IPCC’s 6th Assessment Cycle. JPI Climate and JPI Oceans aim to deliver a high-impact scientific assessment with input from leading experts to inform policymakers, ensuring that the latest research is accessible and actionable. This initiative will address a broad range of critical questions, from the biological and ecosystem impacts of AMOC changes to the semantics surrounding the most used terms like collapse, slowdown, and weakening of AMOC. The report will provide a balanced evaluation of the various methods and data used to assess AMOC stability and future projections, integrating perspectives on timescales and links with sea level rise.