The importance for the EU to bring the sustainable use of our Oceans to the forefront of its agenda resides in its large activity within blue economic sectors, as much as in the need to adopt and fulfill the Sustainable Development Goal for the Oceans and Coasts (SDG 14) as set out in its 2030 Agenda.
"Now more recognised internationally than ever before, the EU’s Blue Economy is indispensable to our future welfare and prosperity."
With these words, Karmenu Vella - Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, opened "The EU Blue Economy Report" released in May 2019. The blue economy, in fact, represents not only a source of energy, food and transport, but also a strong driver for creative jobs and innovation. In addition, it is recognized as a major driver for tourism, port activities and leisure. Having a great importance and influence over such a large series of situations and on the society as a whole, nonetheless, its growth requires broad specific monitoring and particular measures, in order to ensure that its development does not interfere or pose threads on our seas and their resources.
In 2017 the European Commission launched a blue growth initiative to properly acknowledge the seas and ocean as drivers for the European economy, innovation and growth - specifically focusing on those market failures and bottlenecks that might have preventedthe future generations to enjoy the blue resources. The previous year also the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development issued a report to investigate the likely prospects of the blue economy by 2013.
To the extents of a balanced and fair growth for our planet and for the EU environment, it is nonetheless necessary to keep on collecting data and spreading knowledge about the impact of the human being and their activities on the oceans. The blue 'commodity' needs to be comprehended within the broader equation of 'blue growth', together with the creation of blue jobs and employment. In other words, the ambition towards a true 'blue growth' cannot bypass an adequate consideration of water as natural resource base, looking at its amelioration and rigeneration. Only in this way will it truly participate in the making of a living to as many of EU citizens now as in the future.
To deepen the concept of a sustainable blue and green economy as response to the increasing climate change, the BLUE CF project partner EFRI is going to promote initiatives and training thoughout the project duration, addessing students, SMEs and local authorities. For an insight on the specific atitivities in the Fiuman Region (HR), check the article here (article in Croatian).