Five ways to make the ocean economy more sustainable and just – The Conversation

Report on the Transition to a Sustainable Blue Economy in Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

A recent analysis of the global ocean economy indicates a critical juncture where immediate, collective action is required to shift from unsustainable exploitation to a regenerative model. This transition is fundamental to achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

Current State and Projections of the Ocean Economy

The Unsustainable “Grey” Economy

The prevailing “grey” ocean economy is characterized by practices that are in direct conflict with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These activities have historically treated the ocean as an infinite resource for extraction and waste disposal, leading to severe ecosystem degradation.

• Fossil Fuel Extraction: Dominates the current ocean economy, undermining SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
• Unsustainable Fishing and Aquaculture: Overfishing and illegal practices threaten marine biodiversity and food security, directly contravening SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).
• Polluting Maritime Transport: High emissions from shipping contribute significantly to climate change and ocean pollution, hindering progress on SDG 13 and SDG 14.
• Land-Based Waste Influx: Pollution from agriculture and coastal cities further burdens marine ecosystems, impacting SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Mid-Century Forecasts and SDG Risks

Projections to 2050 under a “business as usual” scenario reveal a failure to meet key sustainability targets and an exacerbation of global inequities, posing significant risks to the SDGs.

• Energy Sector: Fossil fuels are projected to supply over 70% of offshore energy by 2050, demonstrating insufficient progress towards SDG 7. The growth of offshore wind remains too slow to meet the targets of SDG 13.
• Seafood Production: Forecasted harvests are expected to exceed sustainable limits, jeopardizing the long-term viability of marine resources essential for SDG 2 and SDG 14.
• Global Inequality: The negative impacts of environmental degradation disproportionately affect communities least responsible for the damage, deepening inequality and working against SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Transitioning to a “Blue” Economy: A Framework for Achieving the SDGs

A transition to a regenerative and just “blue” economy offers a viable path to align ocean-based activities with the Sustainable Development Goals. This model prioritizes responsible stewardship to drive prosperity, reduce inequality, and safeguard ecosystems.

Core Principles of the Blue Economy

The blue economy framework is built on principles of sustainability and equity, creating a positive feedback loop between environmental health and economic prosperity. It directly supports:

• SDG 14 (Life Below Water): By conserving and sustainably using marine resources.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): By creating sustainable industries and livelihoods.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): By ensuring equitable benefit sharing from ocean resources.

Evidence suggests that strategic investments in blue economy sectors could yield benefits over five times their cost by 2050, demonstrating a clear economic case for this transition.

Key Action Areas for SDG Alignment

Achieving a sustainable blue economy requires transformative action across five key areas. These steps must be implemented inclusively and equitably to ensure a just transition.

1. Phase Out Fossil Fuels and Accelerate Renewable Energy

   This action is critical for SDG 7 and SDG 13. Nations like Denmark have demonstrated that a rapid transition from oil production to offshore wind is possible with strong political will, transforming their energy sector in under two decades.

2. Enhance Sustainability of Fishing and Aquaculture

   To meet SDG 14 and SDG 2, it is essential to eliminate environmentally destructive fishing subsidies and promote sustainable food production. Community-led initiatives, such as seaweed farming in Mauritius, provide alternative livelihoods that support SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8.

3. Decarbonize the Shipping Industry

   Innovations such as internationally coordinated green shipping corridors are necessary to reduce emissions and align the maritime transport sector with SDG 13 and SDG 14.

4. Reduce Land-Based Pollution

   Tackling pollution from sources like agriculture and urban runoff is vital for protecting marine environments. UN-backed initiatives helping farmers reduce hazardous pesticide and plastic use contribute directly to SDG 12 and SDG 14.

5. Promote Equitable Governance and Nature-Based Solutions

   Fair and inclusive ocean governance is fundamental to achieving SDG 10 and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). This includes utilizing nature-based solutions, such as mangrove restoration in Pakistan and Madagascar, which support biodiversity, carbon storage, and coastal resilience, contributing to SDG 11, SDG 13, and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Conclusion: The Imperative for Immediate Action

The global community must act decisively to steer the ocean economy away from its current destructive path. Charting a course towards a sustainable and equitable blue economy is not merely an environmental issue but a prerequisite for preventing severe climate disruption, reversing biodiversity loss, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The decisions made now will determine the health of our ocean and our planet for generations to come.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water

   This is the most central SDG addressed. The article is entirely focused on the health of the ocean, discussing threats like overfishing, pollution from land-based sources (plastics, fertilizers, sewage), unsustainable aquaculture, and the need to protect and restore marine ecosystems like mangroves. It explicitly contrasts a “grey” ocean economy of exploitation with a sustainable “blue” economy.

2. SDG 13: Climate Action

   The article directly links ocean health to climate change. It discusses the dominance of “fossil fuel extraction” in the ocean economy, the challenge of “shipping emissions,” and the need to meet “mid-century decarbonisation and sustainability targets.” The transition to offshore wind is presented as a key climate solution.

3. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   The article highlights the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources within the ocean economy. It notes that “fossil fuels are still expected to supply over 70% of offshore energy by 2050” but also points to the growth of “offshore wind” and cites Denmark as a country where wind power, including offshore capacity, is a major source of electricity.

4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   The article explicitly states that the current “grey” ocean economy “deepens global inequality by disproportionately affecting people who are least responsible for those damaging activities.” It advocates for a “just ‘blue’ economy that supports equitable outcomes for communities” and calls for planning that is “implemented inclusively and equitably.”

5. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   The theme of sustainable resource management is prominent. The article discusses the need for “sustainable seafood” by addressing “overfishing and illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing.” It also mentions initiatives to reduce waste, such as farmers “reducing agricultural plastic waste” and switching to “less polluting fertilisers.”

6. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   The article frames the discussion around the “ocean economy.” It contrasts an “unsustainable ‘grey’ ocean economy” with a “regenerative and just ‘blue’ economy” that can “drive prosperity.” This aligns with the goal of promoting sustainable economic growth decoupled from environmental degradation.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  • Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
    
    The article directly addresses this by mentioning the “influx of land-based waste,” “polluting shipping,” and UN initiatives tackling “litter, including plastic pollution, run-off from fertilisers and sewage.”
  • Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans.
    
    This is supported by the mention of restoring “mangroves to reduce flood risk and support sustainable fishing while benefiting biodiversity and storing carbon” in countries like Pakistan and Madagascar.
  • Target 14.4: By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices.
    
    The article highlights the problems of “overfishing and illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing” and notes that “forecasted harvests still exceeding sustainable limits.”
  • Target 14.6: By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
    
    This is explicitly mentioned through the call for “International policy to eliminate government subsidies that support environmentally destructive fishing practices.”

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
    
    The article discusses national-level policy decisions, such as countries like “Denmark, France, Ireland and Costa Rica” having “banned fossil fuel exploration and production,” which is a direct integration of climate action into national policy.

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
    
    The article’s focus on reducing “fossil fuels” and increasing “renewables” like “offshore wind” directly relates to this target. It cites Denmark’s high proportion of electricity from wind power as a successful example.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Implied Indicator for Target 14.1:

  The article provides specific quantitative data on pollution prevention: “prevented over 51,000 tonnes of hazardous pesticides and 20,000 tonnes of plastic waste from being released into the ocean.” This serves as a direct measure of progress, aligning with Indicator 14.1.1 (Index of coastal eutrophication and floating plastic debris density) by quantifying the reduction of pollutants.

• Implied Indicator for Target 14.4:

  The statement that “forecasted harvests still exceeding sustainable limits” directly implies the use of Indicator 14.4.1 (Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels) as the key metric for assessing the health of fisheries.

• Implied Indicator for Target 7.2:

  The article references the share of different energy sources, stating that “fossil fuels are still expected to supply over 70% of offshore energy by 2050” and highlighting Denmark’s success with wind power. This points to Indicator 7.2.1 (Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption) as a crucial measure of the transition to a blue economy.

• Implied Indicator for Target 14.6:

  The call to “eliminate government subsidies that support environmentally destructive fishing practices” directly relates to Indicator 14.6.1 (Progress by countries in the degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing), as eliminating harmful subsidies is a key component of such instruments.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: theconversation.com