Understanding Europe's Growth Priorities and the Green Climate Deal

Actions and policies of the EU will have to contribute to the objectives of the Green Climate Deal. The Blue Economy can contribute to the success of the EGD by supporting the transition to a low-carbon future while still providing jobs and opportunities for coastal communities. According to the EU's Biodiversity Strategy, marine biodiversity has significant economic benefits. Not only does it contribute to the recovery of degraded ecosystems, it also provides job opportunities. There is a collective responsibility on the part of all marine sectors to reduce the impacts of their activities on the sea. The implementation of an ecosystem-based approach to manage these impacts will help minimize these negative impacts.

One of the main factors that contribute to the carbon footprint of food production is the system for food production. The goal of the Farm to Fork strategy is to make the system more sustainable. European fisheries have made significant efforts to improve the conditions of fish stocks and to meet the requirements of the Common Fisheries Policy. With the right environmental policies and practices, European aquaculture can become a major source of low-impact food. The increasing use of algae for farming and bio-based products has the potential to boost the supply of sustainable and renewable sources of protein and food. The growth of algae in the sea can help remove phosphorus and nitrogen from wastewater, which can contribute to the growth of eutrophication. During the crisis, consumers were looking for local seafood and short supply chain solutions. This has led to the efforts of fish farmers and fishers to improve their product quality. The goal of the CFP is to ensure that sustainable fishing and farming is achieved. This will help strengthen the position of European producers and farmers. In addition, it aims to improve the transparency of the entire food supply chain.

The Farm to Fork strategy is a key element of the EGD and it aims to address the challenges of sustainable food production and consumption. It is also part of the Commission's strategy to achieve the Sustainable Development goals. The goal of the F2F strategy is to build a sustainable food system by supporting the transition to more sustainable fisheries and seafood production. It also encourages the use of algae as a low-carbon protein source. The strategy also focuses on the management of the aquaculture sector, which is expected to improve its efficiency and transparency. It also refers to the implementation of the CFP and the revision of the fisheries control system. The European Commission has been developing a new set of guidelines for sustainable development of the aquaculture industry. These guidelines will help raise the sector's competitive advantage and provide concrete guidance on how to improve its resilience and sustainability. The F2F has identified two targets on aquaculture, which include the reduction of antimicrobial sales and the increase of organic aquaculture. This initiative aims to modernise and streamline the current technical standards in order to improve the efficiency and supply of sustainable products in the market. The Commission is currently exploring the possibility of introducing a new framework for assessing a product's sustainability, which would allow for the evaluation of various aspects of a product. Many of the initiatives announced in the F2F Strategy are of great importance to the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, and they include the development of a legislative process for sustaining food systems and ensuring food security during times of crisis. The concept of the sustainable food labeling framework is to enable consumers to make informed decisions about the sources of their food and environmental impacts.

The EU's goal is to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions 60% by 2030. The goal is achieved through the use of clean energy sources, such as wind and solar. The steady development of renewable energy sources such as marine gas and wind has raised hopes that the seas and oceans can be powering most of Europe in the future. The European Commission's new strategy for offshore renewable energy aims to boost the capacity of marine renewable energy by 2050. The European Union's Green Deal aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions from all transport modes, including maritime transport, by 90% by 2030. Various initiatives have been introduced to enhance the efficiency and profitability of the maritime sector. Some of these include the inclusion of the maritime sector in the EU's Emission Trading System and the introduction of fuel efficiency measures. Decarbonizing will also abate air and water pollution. In 2020, the SSMS aims to make zero emission vessels a reality by 2030. Zero-emission ports are promoted as key initiatives of the SSMS. They play a vital role in the development of the ports industry and are designed to promote the deployment of low-carbon energy sources and green port operations. As Europe's industrial landscape changes, the role of ports also changes. As hubs for multi-modal transportation, ports are expected to play a key role in developing regions such as energy hubs and circular economy hubs. Smart digital solutions help decarbonise freight transportation by optimizing cargo handling and traffic flow.

The amount of resources that the world needs to support its economy has reached a record high of 88.6 billion tonnes in 2017. In 2017, the total amount of material extracted globally reached 2.1 trillion tonnes. This figure is expected to double by 2050, as the amount of waste continues to grow. In 2018, the EU used 8.1 Gt of material resources. Almost half of these were extracted from the EU, while the other half were imported from outside the region. The EU's material footprint is expected to reach 60% by 2050, and the economic growth required to achieve this requires a substantial reduction. In response to the climate change challenge, the European Union has adopted an ambitious path towards a low carbon and circular economy. A circular economy aims to conserve the value of products and resources by recycling them as long as possible. It does so by reducing the amount of waste that ends up as landfill. A circular economy consists of two cycles: a biological cycle and a technical cycle. It aims at making use of non-toxic materials and products that are easily maintained, reused, and repaired. It eliminates the need for toxic chemicals and prolongs the useful life of these products. In the 2014-2020 budget period, the European Union allocated over 2 billion for various research and innovation projects related to the circular economy. The Cohesion Policy supported the uptake of eco-friendly technologies among SMEs. Also The EU's External Investment Plan (EIP) was adopted in 2017 to support various sectors, such as sustainable energy and climate change. It aims to stimulate private and public investment in these areas. The EIB is a leading institution that aims to increase the availability of finance for innovative circular economy projects, which are focused on reducing waste and improving the efficiency of the supply chain. Through the European Commission's 2018 Action Plan on Sustainable Finance, various initiatives have been launched to improve the efficiency and profitability of the financial markets. The European Union's Green Deal Investment Plan also encourages private investors to join the global movement toward a more sustainable economy.

The transition to a circular economy opens up new opportunities for all sectors of the Blue Economy. It supports sustainable maritime practices and helps create jobs. A circular economy is an approach that addresses the negative impacts of land-based activities on the environment. Unsustainable farming techniques are responsible for the depletion of water supplies and the erosion of soil. Waste water collected by farms is also treated and reused. This is threatening the biodiversity of aquatic habitats. Unfortunately, climate change will make these conditions worse by exacerbating the problems caused by water loss. The water sector can play a major role in addressing the energy and water challenges of the future. Through the use of the circular economy, water savings can be achieved in all sectors of the EU. Oil and gas extraction produces high levels of mercury. These emissions are considered major sources of pollution in the environment. In the EU, over 29.1 million tonnes of waste plastic are produced annually. Only 32.5% of this waste is collected for recycling. In the oceans, over 8 million tonnes of plastic debris enter the marine environment annually.

The cost of implementing the CEAP is estimated to be around 6.6 billion annually globally. This method will reduce the unintentional release of microplastics and increase the capture of these microplastics in wastewater. In the European Union, around 20% of fishing gear is lost at sea. This issue is expected to become more prevalent as a result of the new regulations designed to reduce marine litter. In the European Union, over 20% of fishing gear is lost due to the accumulation of marine litter. Due to the implementation of the Single-Use Plastic (SUP) and the Port Reception Facilities (PFR) Directives, there are opportunities for businesses to recycle marine litter. The CEAP will also promote the use of more circular fishing gear and packaging. It is expected that investments in marine litter collection activities will increase. In 2022, the European Commission will carry out a review on the rules on the proper treatment of waste oils, as part of its efforts to promote a circular economy. In addition to the EU, other countries such as Japan, Chile, Peru, Kenya, and South Africa have also joined the Alliance.

Conclusion:

The Alliance aims to stimulate innovation and lower the environmental impacts of ocean projects by developing green jobs. It is also expected to facilitate dialogue on the management of marine resources and the EU aims to transform its society and economy to put people on a more sustainable path. It can achieve this by building on its collective strength and climate leadership. The EU is committed to developing a coherent financial system that will support the transition to a sustainable economy. It has established an EU Platform on Sustainable Finance. The European Union cannot be alone in its efforts to address the environmental challenges of the future. As part of its involvement in the transition, the EU will use its various resources and influence to mobilise its partners. The EU will continue to lead and build strong partnerships with other like-minded organizations. It will also seek to leverage the opportunities presented by the UN's Decade on Ocean Science and the UN's Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The concept of international ocean governance is an important aspect of the EGD process. It aims to promote transparency and efficiency in the management of ocean resources.

Pic Courtesy-Alex Vasey at unsplash.com

(The views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect views of CESCUBE.)