© naturepl.com / Doug Perrine / WWF
Promoting a sustainable blue economy
The world’s oceans, seas and coastal areas are the largest ecosystems on the planet and a precious part of our natural heritage. The ocean economy is estimated to be worth USD $24 trillion, and as investors and policymakers increasingly turn to the ocean for new opportunities and resources, this economy has been forecasted to double in size between 2010 and 2030. However, the risks of losses in natural capital resulting from unsustainable activities are continuing to erode the resource base on which such growth depends. We need to raise the bar on our collective ambitions — in government, civil society and the private sector — to ensure that economic activities in our seas are sustainable.
A sustainable blue economy fits within the boundaries of our ocean’s ecosystems. Truly integrated maritime policies, adequate economic and legislative incentives, supportive public and private financial and investment flows, as well as successful implementation of ecosystem-based Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) are all important means to help us get there. Healthy ecosystems, well-managed Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and good environmental status (GES) must be the basis for sustainable development, not separated from it.
According to a 2020 assessment by the European Commission, the EU’s blue economy generates over €750 billion and employs 5 million people. However, with all EU waters currently failing to achieve good environmental status for assessed fish stocks, paired with a 40% decline in global marine life over the last 40 years, we cannot continue to operate under the guise that the ocean is so vast that human activity cannot affect it.
The WWF works with the EU to ensure that the blue economy’s growth is tied to sustainable economies on both land and at sea – that is, an economy that restores, protects and maintains diverse, productive and resilient ecosystems, and that is based on clean technologies, renewable energy, and circular material flows.
Why it matters
A sustainable blue economy fits within the boundaries of our ocean’s ecosystems. Truly integrated maritime policies, adequate economic and legislative incentives, supportive public and private financial and investment flows, as well as successful implementation of ecosystem-based Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) are all important means to help us get there. Healthy ecosystems, well-managed Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and good environmental status (GES) must be the basis for sustainable development, not separated from it.
According to a 2020 assessment by the European Commission, the EU’s blue economy generates over €750 billion and employs 5 million people. However, with all EU waters currently failing to achieve good environmental status for assessed fish stocks, paired with a 40% decline in global marine life over the last 40 years, we cannot continue to operate under the guise that the ocean is so vast that human activity cannot affect it.
What WWF is doing
The WWF works with the EU to ensure that the blue economy’s growth is tied to sustainable economies on both land and at sea – that is, an economy that restores, protects and maintains diverse, productive and resilient ecosystems, and that is based on clean technologies, renewable energy, and circular material flows.
Reports
Socio-economic impacts of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (July 2021)
PDF 22.33 MB
Blueprint for a Living Planet: Four Principles for Integrated Ocean-Climate Strategies (June 2021)
PDF 5.53 MB
In Too Deep: What we do and don't know about deep seabed mining (February 2021)
PDF 4.36 MB
Stop The Flood of Plastic: How Mediterranean countries can save their sea (June 2019)
PDF 4.40 MB
All Hands on Deck: Setting course towards a sustainable Blue Economy (October 2015)
PDF 2.69 MB
Reviving the Ocean Economy: The case for action (April 2015)
PDF 46.16 MB
Contact
Dr Antonia Leroy
Head of Ocean Policy
+32 485 69 20 85
@AntoniaLeroy
Helena Rodrigues
Ocean Policy Officer
+32 492 33 00 08
@hiavrodigues
Other publications
Position paper: Nature protection and offshore renewable energy in the EU (May 2021)
PDF 1.45 MB
Guidance paper: Ecosystem-based maritime spatial planning in Europe and how to assess it (March 2021)
PDF 2.25 MB
Turning the Tide on EU Seas with a Green Recovery (June 2020)
PDF 2.04 MB
Position paper: Achieving ecosystem-based marine spatial plans (February 2020)
PDF 616 KB
Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Principles (August 2018)
PDF 283 KB
Principles for a Sustainable Blue Economy (June 2018)
PDF 539 KB