‘The Blue Economy in Practice – Raising Lives and Livelihoods’ is a new report that shines a light on over 70 global case studies where governments and other agencies are successfully contributing to Blue Economy approaches.

NLA International

NLA International

Launched by UK-based Blue Economy consultancy NLA International, analysis of these wide-ranging examples of practice has also led to the identification of a new 24-step process for developing a Blue Economy. That process is grouped into five phases: from mapping and measuring ocean wealth through to the implementation and monitoring of Blue Economy Plans.

The report also identifies five core principles to “RAISE” the quality of human and marine life and livelihoods that should be considered throughout a Blue Economy journey, so that policies and practices are Regenerative, Adaptive, Inclusive, Sustainable and Evidence-led.

Practice examples featured in the report include:

- How the Port of Los Angeles is contributing to California’s Blue Economy by aiming to become a zero-emissions port.
- How natural capital and ocean accounts are changing perspectives in the UK, Australia and Morocco.
- How the potential impacts of climate change are being modelled to inform transport decisions in the Caribbean.
- How new ocean data portals are maximising the value that everyone can extract from marine and maritime information.
- How Canada is engaging with diverse communities to develop its Blue Economy strategy.
- How Vietnam’s National Action Plan for management of marine plastic makes a public commitment to specific measurable targets.
- How India and Norway are collaborating on Marine Spatial Planning, the cornerstone of Blue Economy development.
- How schools, universities and industry bodies are launching new Blue Economy-themed education and training offers.
- How the Dutch Central Bank is including biodiversity in its core risk modelling framework.
- How local communities in Chile and the Philippines are central to Monitoring, Control and Surveillance of marine protected areas.
- How a range of actors, from governments to venture capitalists, are investing in Blue Economy innovation.

NLAI Director and report co-author Andy Hamflett said: “We are witnessing burgeoning interest in the Blue Economy globally, but coverage of developments can be quite high-level, which makes it hard for many to engage in meaningful ways. By presenting tangible examples of practice within an easily accessible headline structure, we hope to make it easier for industry, governments, policy-makers and all stakeholders to find the successful approaches they need most.”

Download The Blue Economy in Practice – Raising Lives and Livelihoods now. The report is part of NLAI’s Blue Economy Pulse project, which aims to track, synthesise and raise awareness of new initiatives related to the Blue Economy globally. You can sign up to follow Pulse on its dedicated LinkedIn page.

Article by NLA International

Join NLA International’s co-Founder and Director Nick Lambert at the Coastlink Conference where he will be chairing the 2022 event. Coastlink 2022 is being hosted by the Port of Antwerp and will be held on 11 & 12 May 2022. For more information on the event and how to book your delegate place visit the Coastlink website or contact the Coastlink team on +44 (0)1329 825335 or at info@coastlink.co.uk