Unveiling the Hidden Growth Opportunities in the Blue Economy Wave – 36Kr

Report on the Marine Economy’s Role in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

The marine economy, or blue economy, is emerging as a pivotal area for long-term industrial and economic growth. Its development is intrinsically linked to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). This report analyzes the foundational capabilities, emerging trends, and strategic pillars supporting the sustainable growth of the marine economy.

Foundational Pillars for Sustainable Marine Development

Advancing the blue economy requires the establishment of core capabilities that create a foundation for sustainable industrial activities. These pillars are essential for building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation, directly contributing to SDG 9.

H3: Resilient Marine Infrastructure and Innovation (SDG 9)

1. Marine Engineering Capabilities: The construction of robust physical infrastructure such as sea bridges, undersea tunnels, and offshore platforms is a prerequisite for all marine economic activities. This engineering capacity transforms marine space into a viable and sustainable production environment, aligning with the goal of building resilient infrastructure.
2. New Marine Infrastructure: The development of modern infrastructure, including submarine cables, marine monitoring networks, and intelligent sensing systems, is crucial. These systems, enhanced by AI-powered large-scale models like “Haiwu,” improve data collection and analysis, enabling the ocean to become an “analyzable, predictable, and utilizable” space. This fosters innovation and supports the sustainable industrialization targets of SDG 9.

H3: Advanced Marine Equipment Systems (SDG 9 & SDG 14)

• The marine equipment system, encompassing ships, offshore wind power equipment, deep-sea mining technology, and unmanned robotics, determines the scope and efficiency of marine operations.
• Developing this equipment is key to establishing new industrial chains and sustainably harnessing ocean resources, thereby supporting both industrial innovation (SDG 9) and the conservation and sustainable use of oceans (SDG 14).

Emerging Trends Aligning the Blue Economy with the 2030 Agenda

The marine economy is undergoing a structural transformation, characterized by diversification, technological advancement, and a core focus on sustainability, reflecting a strong alignment with multiple SDGs.

H3: Diversification for Economic Growth and Clean Energy (SDG 8 & SDG 7)

• Industrial Expansion: The economic map is expanding beyond traditional sectors like fisheries and shipping to include emerging industries such as offshore wind power, marine ranches, offshore photovoltaics, and marine biotechnology. This diversification creates new jobs and promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth (SDG 8).
• Clean Energy Transition: The growth of offshore wind and solar power directly contributes to SDG 7 by increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

H3: Technology and Data-Driven Ocean Stewardship (SDG 9 & SDG 14)

• The rapid integration of intelligent monitoring equipment, unmanned systems, and marine big-data platforms is enhancing digital management capabilities.
• This technology-driven approach makes large-scale, deep-sea development feasible while enabling better stewardship of marine ecosystems, which is critical for achieving the targets of SDG 14.

H3: Mainstreaming Sustainable and Circular Practices (SDG 14 & SDG 13)

• Sustainable development has become a mandatory requirement for the marine industry.
• Practices such as the ecological construction of marine ranches, integrated wind power and fishery models, and the resource utilization of marine debris demonstrate that industrial upgrading can be balanced with ecological protection. These actions support the conservation of marine resources (SDG 14) and contribute to climate action (SDG 13).

Strategic Imperatives for Long-Term Sustainable Growth

The long-term value of the marine economy is underpinned by its potential to provide new space for development, the maturation of enabling technologies, and clear strategic alignment with national and global sustainability objectives.

1. A New Frontier for Sustainable Development: As land-based resources become increasingly scarce, the ocean offers a vital incremental space for industrial expansion and economic activity, providing new opportunities to pursue sustainable development pathways.
2. Maturation of Key Enabling Technologies: Critical bottlenecks in engineering, equipment, and data capabilities are being overcome. The maturation of these technologies is unlocking the potential for sustainable, large-scale industrial expansion in the marine environment, in line with SDG 9.
3. Alignment with Strategic Goals (SDG 17): Clear and continuous national strategies for developing a maritime power and a blue economy provide a stable, long-term direction. This policy clarity encourages heavy investment in infrastructure and fosters multi-stakeholder partnerships between enterprises, capital, and government to achieve shared sustainability goals, reflecting the spirit of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

SDGs Addressed in the Article

The article on the marine economy addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by focusing on economic growth, technological innovation, infrastructure development, renewable energy, and the sustainable use of ocean resources. The primary SDGs connected to the issues highlighted are:

• SDG 14: Life Below Water
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Specific SDG Targets Identified

Based on the article’s content, several specific targets under the identified SDGs can be pinpointed:

SDG 14: Life Below Water

1. Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds.
   • Explanation: The article mentions “resource utilization of marine garbage” as a practice showing that industrial upgrading and ecological balance can be achieved, directly addressing the issue of marine debris.
2. Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems.
   • Explanation: The text emphasizes that “sustainable development has become an inevitable requirement for the marine industry” and cites examples like the “ecological construction of marine ranches” and “protective development” as key trends.
3. Target 14.7: By 2030, increase the economic benefits from the sustainable use of marine resources.
   • Explanation: The entire article is framed around increasing the value of the “marine economy” and “blue economy” through new industries like “offshore wind power, marine ranches, offshore photovoltaics, marine biotechnology, and seabed resource development.”
4. Target 14.a: Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology.
   • Explanation: The article heavily focuses on technology, mentioning “intelligent monitoring equipment, unmanned equipment, marine big-data platforms, and professional large-scale models” like the “Haiwu” model, which are improving data scarcity and enabling the ocean to become “analyzable, predictable, and utilizable.”

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

1. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure.
   • Explanation: The article identifies “marine engineering capabilities” and “new marine infrastructure” as fundamental to the marine economy. It explicitly lists projects like “sea bridges, undersea tunnels, offshore platforms,” and infrastructure such as “submarine cables” and “marine monitoring networks.”
2. Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors.
   • Explanation: The text states that “key technological capabilities are maturing,” including “engineering capabilities, equipment capabilities, data capabilities, and service capabilities.” It highlights the shift to a “technology-driven development” model for the marine economy.

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

1. Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • Explanation: The article lists “offshore wind power” and “offshore photovoltaics” as key emerging industries that are expanding the marine industrial map.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

1. Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation.
   • Explanation: The article describes the marine economy’s transformation “from resource-dependence to technology-driven development and from single-point industries to diversified integration,” which directly aligns with achieving higher productivity through innovation and diversification.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

1. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.
   • Explanation: The article mentions that the “national strategic direction is clear and continuous,” pointing to public sector involvement. The author’s own work aims to promote “coordination of law, capital, and the industry.” His “Ten-Thousand-Thousand-Hundred-Ten-Hundred-Million Project” is a clear example of a private-sector-led initiative to foster investment and partnerships in the marine industry.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• Indicator for Target 14.1: The extent of “resource utilization of marine garbage,” which could be measured by the volume or percentage of marine waste processed or recycled.
• Indicator for Target 14.7: The economic value and growth rate of the “marine economy” and “blue economy,” including the contribution of emerging sectors like marine biotechnology and seabed resource development.
• Indicator for Target 14.a: The development and deployment of “marine big-data platforms” and “professional large-scale models” (e.g., the “Haiwu” model) to enhance marine scientific research and data application.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

• Indicator for Target 9.1: Investment in and completion of marine infrastructure projects such as “sea bridges, undersea tunnels, offshore platforms,” and “submarine cables.”
• Indicator for Target 9.5: The level of investment in and development of “marine equipment systems,” including “undersea robots, deep-sea mining equipment, and unmanned boats.”

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

• Indicator for Target 7.2: The installed capacity and energy generation from “offshore wind power” and “offshore photovoltaics” projects.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Indicator for Target 8.2: The number and growth of diversified marine industries beyond traditional fisheries and shipping, as mentioned in the article.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Indicator for Target 17.17: The progress of initiatives like the author’s “Ten-Thousand-Thousand-Hundred-Ten-Hundred-Million Project,” measured by the number of marine enterprises tracked (target: 10,000), projects invested in (target: 10), and the total investment amount (target: 100 million yuan by 2030).

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: eu.36kr.com