UN report co-authored by University of Portsmouth offers roadmap for sustainable blue economies

A new United Nations report co-authored by researchers at the University of Portsmouth provides governments with a practical roadmap for building sustainable blue economies, as pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss place growing pressure on the marine and freshwater ecosystems that support billions of people and a global ocean economy worth US$2.2 trillion. 

Published this month by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Sustainable Blue Economy Transition Framework was developed with contributions from the Revolution Plastics Institute at the University of Portsmouth. The framework helps governments translate blue economy ambitions into policy, planning and investment that protect marine and inland water ecosystems while supporting long term economic development.

The report warns that current approaches to managing the ocean are often fragmented, with sectors such as fisheries, shipping and tourism operating independently despite sharing many of the same natural resources. Combined with overfishing, pollution and climate change, this fragmented approach is accelerating the decline of ecosystems that regulate the climate, support biodiversity, provide food security and sustain livelihoods around the world. 

Rather than offering a ‘one size fits all’ solution, the framework helps countries to develop sustainable blue economy pathways that reflect their own priorities, governance systems and stage of development. It outlines a three-phase approach that helps governments understand their existing systems, establish a shared vision for change and embed sustainability into everyday planning, decision-making and investment. 

Nature-based solutions are central to the framework, highlighting how protecting and restoring ecosystems such as mangroves, coral reefs, seagrasses and wetlands can deliver multiple benefits, including climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, disaster risk reduction, food security and sustainable livelihoods. 

To support implementation, the framework is accompanied by a Sustainable Blue Economy Rapid Readiness Assessment, a practical tool that helps governments assess existing policies, institutions, financing and governance arrangements, identify priorities for action and build momentum for long-term reform. 

Susan Gardner, Director of the Ecosystems Division at UNEP said: "The framework places nature-based solutions, participatory governance and whole-of-government cooperation at the centre of decision-making. It encourages countries to look beyond short-term gains and consider the wider environmental, social and economic impacts of their decisions. It also helps governments direct limited resources where they can deliver the greatest long-term benefits for people and nature." 

Dr Antaya March, Director of the Global Plastics Policy Centre at the University of Portsmouth said: " Many countries have ambitious blue economy strategies, but turning those ambitions into coordinated action remains a challenge. This framework helps governments identify where change is needed and provides a structured way to align governance, investment and decision making so environmental protection and economic development reinforce one another.” " 

The framework also places equity at the heart of sustainable development, recognising that women, Indigenous Peoples, local communities and other under-represented groups must be involved in decisions affecting marine and coastal resources. By promoting joined-up governance, policy coherence and investment in nature-based solutions, it aims to help countries tackle the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and waste. 

Professor Steve Fletcher, Director of the Revolution Plastics Institute at the University of Portsmouth said: " Delivering a sustainable blue economy requires governments to balance economic development with the long-term health of marine and freshwater ecosystems. This framework provides a practical basis for making those decisions in a way that is grounded in evidence, responsive to national circumstances and focused on implementation. " 

The University of Portsmouth's contribution to this framework reflects the Revolution Plastics Institute’s internationally recognised expertise in environmental governance, circular economy and global plastics policy, supporting governments and international organisations to develop evidence-based solutions to some of the world's most pressing environmental challenges.