Sustainable blue economy

In 2021, the Commission introduced a new approach for a sustainable blue economy in the EU. The new approach aligns marine activities with the goals of the European Green Deal and promotes consistency among blue economy sectors such as aquaculture, fisheries, clean energy, maritime transport, green shipping, shipbuilding and coastal tourism. It also highlights the importance of research, skills, innovation, and cooperation among countries and maritime users.

The detailed agenda for the blue economy should help achieve the European Green Deal’s objectives, and complement other recent Commission initiatives on biodiversity, food, mobility, security, data and more.

For example

• the blue economy contributes to climate change mitigation by developing offshore renewable energy, decarbonizing maritime transport and greening ports
• it will make the economy more circular by renewing the standards for fishing gear design, for ship recycling and for the decommissioning of offshore platforms
• developing green infrastructure in coastal areas will help preserve biodiversity and landscapes, while benefitting tourism and the coastal economy

Rather than an exhaustive action plan, the new approach provides coherence across the blue economy sectors, facilitates their coexistence and looks for synergies in the maritime space, without damaging the environment. It also underlines the need for investment in research, skills and innovation.

A new approach for a sustainable blue economy in the EU - Transforming the EU's Blue Economy for a Sustainable Future