A new report co-authored by the United Nations and researchers at the University of Portsmouth sets out a ‘practical roadmap’ for governments seeking to develop sustainable blue economies, as marine and freshwater ecosystems come under increased pressure.
The Sustainable Blue Economy Transition Framework, which was published by UNEP, seeks to help governments ‘translate blue economy ambitions into policy, planning and investment that protect marine and inland water ecosystems while supporting long term economic development’, according to a press release.
As the report notes, current approaches to managing the ocean are often fragmented, with various sectors – including fisheries, shipping and tourism – operating independently, despite sharing the same natural resources.
Combined with pressures such as overfishing, pollution and climate change, this approach is ‘accelerating the decline’ of ecosystems that regulate the climate, support biodiversity, provide food security and sustain livelihoods.
‘Coordinated action’
“Many countries have ambitious blue economy strategies, but turning those ambitions into coordinated action remains a challenge,” commented Dr Antaya March, director of the Global Plastics Policy Centre at the University of Portsmouth.
“This framework helps governments identify where change is needed and provides a structured way to align governance, investment and decision making so environmental protection and economic development reinforce one another.”
The framework shies away from a ‘one size fits all’ model, instead proposing a three-stage process to help governments assess existing systems, establish shared objectives and integrate sustainability into planning, investment and decision-making.
The framework is backed by a Sustainable Blue Economy Rapid Readiness Assessment, a tool that enables countries to evaluate their current policies, governance arrangements and financing mechanisms while identifying priorities for reform.
‘Nature-based solutions’
“The framework places nature-based solutions, participatory governance and whole-of-government cooperation at the centre of decision-making,” added Susan Gardner, director of the Ecosystems Division at UNEP.
“It encourages countries to look beyond short-term gains and consider the wider environmental, social and economic impacts of their decisions. It also helps governments direct limited resources where they can deliver the greatest long-term benefits for people and nature.” Read more here.
