Special Annual Theme Award: The NSTF is making a special award this year for an outstanding contribution to science, engineering and technology (SET) and innovation from research and development in the Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development. This is in recognition of the proclamation by the United Nations of the Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development being 2021 to 2030. The subject is also a government priority. The Ocean Sciences are defined as being: ocean resource development, living and non- living resources and their exploration, conservation, fostering, consumption, management and trade; (as per US legislation of 1948). We visualize that the topic can cover amongst others: climate change, a just transition to a low carbon economy, and conserving the planet.
Quoting from the UN website :
The decade of ocean science is intended to boost international coordination and cooperation in research and scientific programmes for better management of ocean and coastal zone resources.
For example, it’s expected that a global effort to map the entire ocean floor will be completed by 2030.
The plan for the UN Decade has recently been approved. This includes a clean ocean where sources of pollution are identified and reduced or removed; a healthy and resilient ocean where marine ecosystems are understood, protected, restored and managed; and a safe ocean where life and livelihoods are protected from ocean-related hazards.
Life Below Water and the UN
How much more is there to discover about the ocean?
For the purposes of the award:
The Annual Theme Award can be awarded according to the criteria in any one of the other Awards categories, which are described in detail on separate pages and the respective nomination forms for each category.
In the last section of the nomination forms additional input is requested to the extent that is practical.
* Describe in what way the work and outputs described in the motivation are based on one or more of the ocean sciences. A comprehensive description is needed and claims must be backed up with substantive information. Do not repeat what has already been set out in the main motivation, but some reference to the relevant information in the main motivation where applicable would be necessary.
* What further developments would be necessary for the outputs described to become innovations if they are not already? Are these new uses, new applications or reconfigurations of older applications?
* Over and above what has been stated in the motivation, is there any possible further contribution to the economy from the SET work?
* To what extent does the work and outputs provide for social inclusiveness, employment and poverty reduction?
* To what extent is the SET work resource efficient, and does it contribute to environmental protection and to the reduction of the effects of/on climate change?
* Describe to what extent the SET work contributes to the preservation of cultural values, supports diversity and respects heritage where applicable?
* Describe to what extent the SET work contributes to mutual understanding and peace and security?
* The nominator should endeavour to include analyses of the approximate or relative costs involved to commercialise the work.
NSTF-South32 Awards
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The NSTF welcomes collaboration with other organisations, such as those they have been in partnerships with for many years:S.E.T. for socio-economic growth
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