Blue Economy
Driving sustainable growth while protecting the Ocean
Aligning value creation with ocean sustainability
The Blue Economy represents a vision for a sustainable and prosperous future - where economic growth and ocean health go hand in hand.
At One Ocean Foundation, we are committed to fostering a nature-positive economy that balances the use of resources with the need to protect and restore marine ecosystems and their biodiversity.
What is the Blue Economy
80% of pollution to the marine environment comes from the land
With our definition of the Blue Economy, the concept of the Ocean Economy is significantly expanded by taking into consideration all economic activities that, directly or indirectly, generate pressures on the marine ecosystems and actively contribute to preventing and mitigating them.
It is a sustainable development model that integrates economic growth with ocean conservation, encouraging innovation, investment, and sustainable practices that preserve marine environments while generating business opportunities.
Why It Matters?
The ocean is essential to life on Earth, providing food, jobs, and economic opportunities while regulating the climate and supporting biodiversity.
The Ocean generates an estimated $5.2 trillion annually only through ocean economy industries such as fishing, aquaculture, maritime trade, renewable energy and others.
In addition to direct business activities, the ocean as a whole is worth much more: the latest calculations estimate the total asset value of the ocean at $24 trillion.
Beyond its economic significance, the ocean provides critical ecosystem services, delivering benefits to both society and the environment
Provisioning
Supplying essential resources such as seafood, seawater, minerals, and marine plants like seagrass and algae:
- Water
- Minerals, Sand
- Fish, Shellfish
- Seagrass, Algae, Magroves
Regulating
Protecting coastlines, preventing erosion, regulating climate and temperature, storing carbon, and breaking down waste:
- Coastal protection
- Climate regulation
- Waste breakdown
- Carbon storage
Cultural
Offering recreational, aesthetic, and spiritual value, with deep cultural importance for coastal and indigenous communities:
- Spiritual benefits
- Tourism
- Aestetic beauty
- Cultural Benefits
Supporting Services
Enabling all other ecosystem services to occur:
- Nutrient and water cycling
- Habitats for species
Issues facing the ocean
Despite its immense value, the ocean is under severe threat from human activities that have quickly accelerated the degradation of marine and coastal ecosystems
Ocean warming
It is the main driver of sea-level rise, habitat loss, and marine species mortality
Ocean acidification
The increase in pH levels can alter seawater chemistry and negatively impact carbonate structures such as coral reefs
Unsustainable fishing practices
Includes overfishing, contribute to the depletion of fish stocks, altering the abundance of marine species populations and food webs
Contamination
From oil spills, chemical substances, and pollution from the introduction of marine litter have severe consequences on both water quality and marine biodiversity
Eutrophication
The excess of nutrients in aquatic environments leads to excessive algae growth, causing oxygen depletion and the formation of dead zones
Current situation
Many companies remain unaware of the direct and indirect pressures they exert on the ocean, as well as the risks posed by ocean degradation to their businesses.
While awareness of SDG 14 (Life Below Water) is growing, it remains one of the least prioritized Sustainable Development Goals among businesses.
Our latest Business for Ocean Sustainability research found that less than 10% of companies referenced SDG 14 in their sustainability reports.
Although corporate awareness of ocean-related challenges has increased slightly in recent years, a deeper acknowledgement is still lacking.
Most businesses that take action are focused on the reactive approach rather than proactively integrating ocean sustainability into their governance and policies.
Nevertheless, a growing number of companies across various industries are beginning to recognize the opportunities of the Blue Economy.
Our Commitment to the Blue Economy
Since its creation, One Ocean Foundation has been dedicated to bridge the gap between business and ocean sustainability offering innovative solutions for companies and policymakers through research and educational projects and initiatives.
We work closely with businesses and institutions to accelerate the transition toward a regenerative Blue Economy.
Through scientific research and strategic partnerships, we aim to create both environmental and economic value, demonstrating that ocean conservation and business success can thrive together.