European Commission lunches Communication on Blue Economy

On 17 May 2021, the European Commission launched a new Communication for a sustainable blue economy in the EU  (COM(2021)240final).  A sustainable blue economy is essential to achieving the objectives of the European Green Deal and ensuring a green and inclusive recovery from the pandemic.

The objective is for coastal tourism and other sectors to decrease their environmental and climate impact.

The Communication sets out a detailed agenda for the blue economy to:

• Achieve the objectives of climate neutrality and zero pollution: notably by developing offshore renewable energy, decarbonising maritime transport and greening ports.
• Support climate adaptation and coastal resilience: adaptation activities – such as developing green infrastructure in coastal areas and protecting coastlines from the risk of erosion and flooding – will help preserve biodiversity and landscapes while benefitting tourism and the coastal economy.
• Ensure sustainable food production – sustainable production of and new marketing standards for seafood, use of algae and seagrass, stronger fisheries control as well as research and innovation in cell-based seafood will help to preserve Europe’s seas.

The European Commission and Investment Bank Group will increase their cooperation on a sustainable blue economy. Moreover, the new European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund – especially with its ‘BlueInvest’ platform and the new BlueInvest Fund – will support the transition towards more sustainable value chains based on the oceans, seas and coastal activities.

HOTREC hopes that Member States have included investments for a sustainable blue economy in their national resilience and recovery plans as well as their national operational programmes for various EU-funds from now to 2027.