• PRINCIPLES FOR A SUSTAINABLE BLUE ECONOMY BLUE FOR A SUSTAINABLE PRINCIPLES BRIEFING 2018

Principles for a Sustainable OCEAN.PANDA.ORG BLUE ECONOMY The PURPOSE of the PRINCIPLES

During the past few years, the term “Blue Economy” or “Blue Growth” has surged into common policy usage, all over the world. For some, Blue Economy means the use of the sea and its resources for sustainable eco- nomic development. For others, it simply refers to any economic activity in the maritime sector, whether sustainable or not.

Despite increasing high-level adop- The Principles are also harmonized tion of the Blue Economy as a concept with relevant United Nations agree­ and as a goal of policy-making and ments, including the Sustainable investment, there is still no widely Development Goals, other widely accepted definition of the term. adopted principles for sustaina- To fill this gap in shared under- ble corporate and organizational standing about what characterizes governance, and with established a sustainable Blue Economy, and to understanding of related concepts help ensure that the economic such as Green Economy and circular development of the ocean contribu- economy. tes to true prosperity, today and long WWF urges all Blue Economy into the future, WWF has developed actors to use these Principles to ... a set of “Principles for a Sustainable Communicate about the Blue Blue Economy.” The Principles offer: • Economy with stakeholders in deci- sion-making processes, as A clear definition of a sustain- well as in educational or aware­ • able Blue Economy. This defini- ness-raising settings. tion makes it clear that the Blue Guide decision-making about Economy must respect ecosystem • the Blue Economy in both the integrity, and that the only secure public and private sector. pathway to long-term prosperity is through the development of • Inform assessment processes a circular economy. that track progress in developing a sustainable Blue Economy. Guidance on governance. The Photo: Jürgen Freund / WWF • Principles describe how a sustain- Support stakeholder dialogues able Blue Economy must be steered • with a common definition and and managed, by public as well as Despite increasing high-level frame of reference on the Blue by private actors, at every scale. adoption of the Blue Economy as Economy. • A set of necessary actions. This a concept and as a goal of poli- • Mobilize commitment by govern­ section of the Principles describes cy-making and investment, there ment and all relevant stake­ what needs to be done, by every is still no widely accepted defini- holders to the vision of a sustain- stakeholder, if a sustainable Blue tion of the term. able Blue Economy ... and act to Economy is to be realized. turn that vision into reality. developed and developing countries are are developing and countries developed both in communities and organizations sound. logically or eco possible physically is us tells science what with conflict in often and uncoordinated, fragmented, are that approaches development by threatened further being it is and activities; economic human from pressure under however, is, longover the term already nutrition jobs and ments to provide countries. of most prosperity economic the to and world, the around of people of billions security food and livelihoods to the vital also are They heritage. natural of our part a precious 1) 1) ECONOMY BLUE Principles for aSUSTAINABLE T development.” Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, United Nations, 2015. Nations, United Development, Sustainable for Agenda 2030 The World: our Transforming development.” Goal 14 of the Sustainable Development Goals reads: “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable sustainable for resources marine and seas oceans, the use sustainably and “Conserve reads: Goals Development Sustainable 14 the of Goal Fortunately, many governments, Fortunately, governments, many environ marine of these The ability implement our economic activities with care. with activities economic our implement plan and and that must we ecosystem, of the marine part that are we an integral understands Humanity increasingly ecosystems on the planet and and planet on the ecosystems largest the are areas coastal and he world’s seas, oceans, ­ ­ health ecosystem to sustain imperative the with wellbeing and standards living to improve human desire the balancing care, with activities implement and plan economic our we must that and ecosystem, marine of the part integral an we are that Humanity increasingly understands developmenteconomic oceans. of the the approach to managing ce-based scien fair, and integrated, coherent, for amore need of the aware becoming to true prosperity and resilience, today today resilience, and prosperity to true de locally. and bally, nationally regionally, made –glo already on commitments delivering includes This ble direction. Blue asustaina the in steer Economy to sectors, public private the and both velopment of the ocean contributes contributes ­velopment ocean of the To ensure that the economic To economic the that ensure 1 . Active leadership is needed, in in needed, is leadership . Active - - - all around the world. the around all activities, and policy into marine actions and descriptions, definitions, these Blue to embed and Economy Sustainable for a Principles these to use actors groups. society civil and agencies, international actors, sector financial and private governments, nomic development including sea, of the eco the involved actor in by any used as well as or coasts, seas oceans, of the applied part be to any can and universal are They to help get there. roadmap us Blue a and Economy of aSustainable Economy. Blue Sustainable a for Principles following the proposing is WWF countries, of developing needs of the recognition special with long future, and into the WWF invites all Blue Economy all invites WWF adefinition provide Principles These ­

Photo: WWF / James Morgan Innovative and proactive. counted, planned, managed and A SUSTAINABLE BLUE ECONOMY • All actors in a Sustainable Blue Eco­ governed through forward-looking, is a marine-based economy that … nomy are constantly looking for the pre­cautionary, adaptive and inte- most effective and efficient ways to grated processes that ensure the Provides social and economic • meet the needs of present and future long term health and sustainable benefits for current and future gene­ generations without undermining the use of the sea, while also taking into rations, by contributing to food secur­ capacity of nature to support human account human activities on land. ity, poverty eradication, livelihoods, economic activities and wellbeing. Such processes must be particip­ income, employment, health, safety, atory, accountable, transparent, equity, and political stability. equitable and inclusive, in order to • Restores, protects and maintains be re­sponsive to present and future the diversity, productivity, resilience, To create a SUSTAINABLE BLUE human uses and needs, including core functions, and intrinsic value of ECONOMY, public and private actors the needs of minorities and the marine ecosystems – the natural capi- must … most vulnerable groups in society. tal upon which its prosperity depends. To make informed trade-offs, such Set clear, measurable, and internal- processes should also use appro­ • • Is based on clean technologies, re­ ly consistent goals and targets for a priate tools and methods to capture newable energy, and circular material Sustainable Blue Economy. Govern- the range of benefits that ecosystem to secure economic and social flows ments, economic sectors, individual goods and services can bring to stability over time, while keeping with- businesses and other actors must all different stakeholders. in the limits of one planet. set relevant and measurable goals and

targets for a Sustainable Blue Econo- Develop and apply standards, • my to provide their planning, man- guidelines and best practices agement and activities with a clear that support a Sustainable Blue All actors — including A SUSTAINABLE BLUE ECONOMY direction. Goals and targets Economy. governments, businesses, non-profit for different economic, social and is governed by public and private enterprises, investors and consumers ecological areas – as well as related — must develop or apply the global processes that are … policies and activities – must be sustainability standards, guidelines, Inclusive. A Sustainable Blue Economy made as integrated and coherent best practices, or other behaviors • is based on active and effective stake- as possible, to avoid conflicts and that are relevant to them. For holder engagement and participation. contradictions. organizations, application of such • Well-informed, precautionary • Assess and communicate their standards should not only ensure and adaptive. Decisions are based performance on these goals and that their activities are conducted in a on scientifically sound information targets. The goals and targets for responsible way, but also improve their to avoid harmful effects that under- a Sustainable Blue Economy must own performance and com­petitive- mine long-term sustainability. When be regularly monitored and progress ness, today and in the future. adequate information and knowledge communicated to all stakeholders, Recognize that the maritime are missing, actors take a precau- including the general public, in a • and land-based economies are tionary approach, actively seek to transparent and accessible way. interlinked and that many of the develop such knowledge, and refrain Create a level economic and leg- threats facing marine environ- from under­taking activities that could • islative playing field that provides ments originate on land. To achieve potentially lead to harmful effects. As the Blue Economy with adequate a Sustainable Blue Economy in the new know­ledge of risks and sustainable incentives and rules. seas and coastal regions, land-based opportun­ities is gained, actors adapt Economic instruments such as taxes, impacts to marine ecosystems must their decisions and activities. subsidies and fees should be aimed be addressed and actors must also Accountable and transparent. at internalizing environmental and work to promote the development of • Actors take responsibility for the social benefits, costs and risks to a sustainable green economy on land. impacts of their activities, by taking society. International and national Actively cooperate, sharing informa­- appropriate action, as well as by being laws and agreements, including • tion, knowledge, best practices, transparent about their impacts so private agreements, should be lessons learned, perspectives, and that stakeholders are well-informed framed, implemented, enforced, and ideas, to realize a sustainable and and can exert their influence. con­tinuously improved in ways that prosperous future for all. All actors support a Sustainable Blue Economy. • Holistic, cross-sectoral and long- in a Sustainable Blue Economy have term. Decisions are based on an assess- • Plan, manage and effectively a responsibility to participate in the ment and accounting of their economic, govern the use of marine space process of implementation, and to social and environmental values, bene­ and resources, applying inclusive reach out across national, regional, fits and costs to society, as well as their methods and the ecosystem ap- sectorial, organizational, and other impacts on other activities and across proach. All relevant uses of marine borders, to ensure collective steward- borders, now and in the future. space and resources must be ac- ship of our common marine heritage. A SUSTAINABLE

BLUE ECONOMY Photo: WWF-US / James Morgan To ensure that the economic development of the ocean contributesto true prosperity and resilience, today and long into the future, WWF is proposing the following Principles for a Sustainable Blue Economy. Production: In A Box AB | Odelius & CO odel # 18-5148 Box A Production: In

• PRINCIPLES FOR A SUSTAINABLE BLUE ECONOMY OCEAN.PANDA.ORG Photo page 1: Mattias Rust / Azote. Back page: Brent Stirton / Getty Images Images Getty / Stirton Brent page: Back Azote. / Rust Mattias 1: page Photo 00% 1 RECYCLED TH 7 Based on the gross marine product, the ocean is the 7th largest economy in the world.

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