Executive Summary (short) - Blue Growth Scenarios and drivers for Sustainable Growth from the Oceans, Seas and Coasts
Introduction The ‘Blue Growth’ initiative aims to elaborate the maritime dimension of the Europe 2020 strategy. Blue Growth is hence defined as smart, sustainable and inclusive economic and employment growth from the oceans, seas and coasts . The starting point for the Blue Growth project is the grounded belief that seas, coasts and oceans can play a pivotal role in the solutions to many of the above challenges and tensions. In order to take advantage of their future potential, maritime economic activities need to be combined – smart combinations taking advantage of synergies and building critical mass. Innovation is key to this. Above all, maritime economic activities need to be sustainable – an integrated approach with a long-term focus and responding to the world’s resource, climate and environmental challenges. It requires adequate support from local, national, EU and international policies. And maritime economic activities need to be inclusive – providing employment opportuniti...