Thomalla, Sandy JChang, NicoletteMongwe, Ndunisani PNicholson, Sarah-AnneRyan-Keogh, Thomas JMonteiro, PM2025-01-292025-01-292024-10http://hdl.handle.net/10204/13970The Southern Ocean Carbon-Climate Observatory (SOCCO) is a South African-led programme, based at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), whose strategy links ocean-climate-ecosystem science to society through technological innovation, human-capital development and evidenced-based policy support. SOCCO was established in 2010 in response to national and international priorities to understand the sensitivity of the Southern Ocean to climate change for improved global projections of the ocean carbon-climate system. SOCCO postulated that the influence of the Southern Ocean in global climate would be mediated by the characteristics of the seasonal cycle through adjustments in upperocean physics and biogeochemical response. Addressing this hypothesis required long-term investment in high-resolution models, integrated physical-biogeochemical observations and capacity building of a new generation of ocean-climateecosystem scientists. SOCCO pioneered the use of ocean robotics in the Southern Ocean through multiplatform seasonal cycle experiments that advance our understanding of the physical and biological drivers of the seasonal cycle. Innovation in observations, modelling, machine learning and sensor development remains key to the modus operandi of SOCCO as it continues on its mission to reduce uncertainties in key physical-biogeochemical processes of the Southern Ocean towards strengthening confidence in climate projections from Earth System Models (ESMs).AbstractenThe Southern Ocean Carbon-Climate ObservatorySOCCOEarth System ModelsESMArticlen/a