The inaugural event, initiated by One Ocean Foundation and hosted by Bocconi University in Milan on 8 June, brought together international leaders from institutions, business, and science to discuss the status of the ocean and urgent need to build a sustainable Blue Economy to protect it for future generations.
ROCKWOOL’s Mirella Vitale participated on a Summit panel alongside business figures including Marco Tronchetti, Executive VP, Pirelli and Co.; Ralph Chami, Assistant Director, International Monetary Fund; marine biologist, Dr. Sylvia Earle; marine ecologist Carlos Duarte; and One Ocean Foundation’s Scientific Advisor, Sandro Carniel.
“At ROCKWOOL, we believe that global business needs to take more responsibility to both understand and protect our ocean”, said Vitale. “It was a privilege to be on this panel with leaders from business and science and to discuss the innovative and collaborative efforts taking place to reduce the impact people have on it”.
At the Summit, Vitale shared how ROCKWOOL is adopting United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #14: Life Below Water, as part of its partnership with ROCKWOOL Denmark SailGP Team and SailGP.
“We’re working with One Ocean Foundation and its partners to show the importance of accelerating solutions that help tackle critical issues facing our seas. While decarbonisation is essential, we also need to preserve and restore our planet’s natural capital, of which the ocean is a major source. We want to lead the way and show that even as an energy-intensive manufacturing company, it is possible to be responsible, take intelligent steps and prioritise the ocean”.
Riccardo Bonadeo, President of One Ocean Foundation, framed the event this way: “The Blue Economy Summit is the beginning of a new path, which binds science and the economy together, for the protection of the ocean for years to come”.
More about the Blue Economy Summit and Ocean Week Milano
The Blue Economy Summit is the first event of Ocean Week Milano, a week-long initiative created by One Ocean Foundation, consisting of events, activities and educational workshops to explain the value of marine ecosystems and the fundamental role of each of us in protecting them.
Key themes from the Summit included ocean innovation; the role of cities in protecting people and the ocean; biodiversity loss; and natural capital and blue carbon.
