The ocean absorbs around 30% of human-caused CO2 emissions each year. Accurate and up-to date estimates of ocean carbon uptake are therefore essential for effective policies on climate mitigation, adaptation, and carbon management. Current knowledge of this uptake is derived from estimates that integrate surface ocean CO2 observations from regional seas and the open ocean worldwide. This audit provides a first assessment of Europe’s contribution to global ocean carbon monitoring and assessment, covering the observational, data synthesis, analytical, and modelling roles. It shows that European biogeochemical models and data products are the primary engines driving the Global Carbon Budget and international climate assessments. However, the audit identifies a critical “leadership mismatch”: Europe’s excellent capacity in modelling and data products rests on a fragile and declining observational foundation and weak data stewardship capacity. Addressing this imbalance is essential for Europe’s strategic autonomy and for meeting its European Ocean Pact goals and Paris Agreement commitments.
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