Turning the tide: how the blue economy can contribute to a green recovery in the Pacific Islands

Photo: Retrieved from climate-kic.org

Oceans and the marine economy are often associated with traditional activities such as fishing or transport. However, the emergence of a more complex ‘blue economy’ shows that oceans’ contribution to the global economy is far more substantial, as highlighted by the UN’s Ocean Decade.

A rapidly-growing sector, the blue economy has an estimated yearly turnover between US$3 and US$6 trillion, and contributes to around 260 million jobs worldwide. An increasing number of innovative sectors are addressing maritime activities, including renewable maritime energy, aquaculture, desalination and waste disposal management.

Oceans support many livelihoods and are also climate regulators, absorbing, storing and releasing CO2 worldwide. This is why oceans’ fragility needs to be addressed alongside their economic potential – especially in areas sensitive to climate impacts, such as the Pacific Islands.