The blue economy promotes the conservation of aquatic and marine ecosystems and the sustainable use and management of associated resources. It builds on principles of equity, low carbon development, resource efficiency, and social inclusion. As a mechanism that could contribute to poverty alleviation as well as health, food and energy efficiency, while protecting the ecosystem which fisheries and fragile economies often rely upon, the blue economy provides a framework to research sustainable development in ocean states. Its principal aim is to shift society from scarcity to abundance using what is locally available, by tackling issues that cause environmental and related problems in new ways.

“The increasingly intense use of aquatic and marine resources, combined with the impacts of rapid population growth, coastal urbanisation and climate change, also add to the pressure for supporting ecosystems and habitats. Managing these complex dynamics emphasises the need for a holistic and integrated approach. It is an approach in which economic growth and development success is combined with environmental and material stewardship, social responsibility and the highest governance and transparency standards” Dr Carlos Lopes in Africa’s Blue Economy: An opportunity not to be missed, OECD Development Matters, 7 June 2016.

We are interested in research addressing the need to manage these complex dynamics, revealing ways in which community-based development and management approaches can contribute to a more holistic and integrated way forward, stimulating community resilience to the uncertainties caused by fragility in coastal environments and how blue economy practices can create pathways out of poverty and reconciliation between environmental conservation and community development.

Find out more about our Centre for Aquatic Environments and our crucial work to protect our waterways and eliminate waterborne disease.

Book your place on the upcoming Climate, oceans and coastal communities conference taking place on 10 October 2019

Bibliography and useful sources

Greenhill, L., Hughes, A., Day, J. G., and Stanley, M. S. (2015), Developing knowledge to transition to a Blue Economy: A strategic approach, Island Studies, pp6-10.

Lopes, C (2016) Africa’s Blue Economy: An opportunity not to be missed, OECD Development Matters

Pauli, G. (2016) The Blue Economy, Version 2.0, Academic foundation

The World Bank (2017) What is the Blue Economy?

The World Bank (2017) The Potential of the Blue Economy

Find out more about our Responsible Futures initiatives.