TALK OCEAN: Kjell Inge Røkke on Ocean Sustainability
Kjell Inge Røkke, a prominent Norwegian industrialist, has emerged as an advocate for ocean sustainability. Recently, he joined broadcaster and former BBC Climate Critical host David Eades for a conversation about his commitment to ocean sustainability, his patronage of REV Ocean and HUB Ocean, and his role as the UN Ocean Decade Special Emissary of Industrial Ocean Data.
Known for his entrepreneurial success in the fishing and offshore industries, Røkke has increasingly turned his attention to preserving the marine environment.
"I’m a product of the ocean," Røkke shares. "I was born close to the ocean. And my first serious job was on a fishing boat. At that age, I was more interested in harvesting what the ocean could offer. Over the years, I have noticed the changes in the ocean."
Through his involvement with REV Ocean, HUB Ocean, and his role as the UN Ocean Decade Special Emissary for Industrial Ocean Data, Røkke is driving initiatives aimed at understanding and addressing the critical challenges facing the ocean.
REV Ocean: A Floating “Action-Tank" for Ocean Science and Solutions
REV Ocean, one of Røkke’s most ambitious projects, is a state-of-the-art research vessel designed to advance ocean science and solutions. Initially conceived in 2016, the vessel is progressing well and on track to become an unparalleled hub for marine research, innovation and positive impact. At 195 meters long, including a moon pool for launching research equipment, it embodies Røkke’s vision of equipping scientists with tools they need to understand and address ocean challenges.
REV Ocean will be available at no cost to selected science and solutions projects, Røkke explains. The aim is to create an opportunity where researchers, decision-makers, and policymakers can collaborate to make real impact. “We will bring people to see the challenges with their own eyes.”
By hosting experts and fostering dialogue, the vessel will be a platform to get decision-makers to drive meaningful change. The vessel will be operational from early 2027.
HUB Ocean: Unlocking the Power of Data for the Ocean
Building on his vision for a sustainable marine future, Røkke also spearheads the independent non-profit foundation HUB Ocean. HUB Ocean provides fit-for-purpose ocean data to empower decision-makers and industry leaders to steer a course to improve ocean health.
HUB Ocean has built the Ocean Data Platform to integrate and share data from diverse sources. Røkke emphasizes, "Data needs to be available in the most efficient form. Today, you will spend the lion’s share of time finding the data, compared to the time you spend actually working on - and driving new insight from data."
Outside of the platform, HUB Ocean is leading in the field of unlocking industrial ocean data, and particular expertise lies in unlocking ocean data from industry and building expertise on ocean nature data.
The key principle behind HUB Ocean is the belief that more transparency and better access to data can lead to better outcomes for the ocean.
UN Ocean Decade Special Emissary: Championing Industrial Ocean Data
Røkke’s passion for ocean sustainability has been recognized on the global stage.
In 2021, Røkke was appointed as the UN Ocean Decade Special Emissary for Industrial Ocean Data, aligning with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030).
Røkke´s commitment is based on three main pillars:
• To unlock priority industrial ocean data from industry sources so that it is accessible for science, decision making, policy and management
• To develop a system to offer free research vessel time for early career researchers around the world
• To support the co-design and implementation of Decade Actions related to plastics and the mesopelagic ecosystem
Røkke is quite specific how his Special Emissary role translates into concrete actions: "Fulfill the commitment that we set on HUB Ocean and REV Ocean”.
He looks upon the two organizations, HUB Ocean and REV Ocean, as interwined: “It is fact finding, sharing it, communicating it. When scientists come abord, the only thing I require that they share their data transparentlyfrom the expeditions.”
As Special Emissary, Røkke also advocates for increased collaboration between industries and scientific communities to unlock the potential of ocean data.
He emphasizes the importance of engaging industrial actors, who often hold vast amounts of data that could be instrumental in understanding ocean dynamics and addressing environmental challenges.
A Personal Commitment to the Ocean
Røkke’s dedication stems from his deep personal connection to the sea. Beginning his career as a teenager fishing in Alaska, he built his fortune through ventures in fishing, seafood, shipping, and offshore industries.
He emphasizes transparency: "I'm in the oil and gas business. I'm also involved in krill operations in Antarctica. Don't be afraid to bring information that you think might not be in my economic interest. In all of this work, it's the ocean that matters."
Røkke’s vision for a healthier ocean is both ambitious and urgent. "I see hope and I see solutions, but I also see challenges. I think we are more able to solve this with a positive attitude than with a negative one."