Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership Draft SRIA - V1.0.1 - Compressed

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1 Contents
Background and context ............................................................................................................. 4
Rationale for the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership .......................................................... 6
Vision ........................................................................................................................................... 8
Objectives .................................................................................................................................. 10
Expected impacts ...................................................................................................................... 12
Thematic pillars and scope ........................................................................................................ 15
Thematic pillars – detailed explanation .................................................................................... 19
7.1 Pillar 1. A blue economy in harmony with nature ..................................................................... 19
7.2 Pillar 2. Blue economy solutions towards climate neutrality .................................................... 22
7.3 Pillar 3. A thriving blue economy for the people ....................................................................... 24
7.4 Pillar 4. Integrated and responsible ocean governance ............................................................ 28
Cross-cutting enablers supporting the transition ..................................................................... 32
8.1 Digitalisation .............................................................................................................................. 32
8.2 FAIR data .................................................................................................................................... 32
8.3 Human capacity ......................................................................................................................... 32
8.4 Ocean Literacy............................................................................................................................ 33
8.5 Infrastructures ........................................................................................................................... 33
8.6 Social Innovation ........................................................................................................................ 33
8.7 Sustainable financing ................................................................................................................. 34
Synergies with other Horizon Europe missions, partnerships and activities ............................ 34
9.1 Missions ..................................................................................................................................... 35
9.2 Partnerships ............................................................................................................................... 35
Implementation modalities ....................................................................................................... 39
Appendices ................................................................................................................................ 41
Appendix 1 Related strategies and initiatives ..................................................................................... 41
Appendix 2 Elaboration of intervention logic to achieve Partnership objectives ............................... 43
Appendix 3 Schematic overview of elements of the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership SRIA ... 49
Appendix 4 List of abbreviations and acronyms .................................................................................. 55
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The Draft Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda* of the Sustainable
Blue Economy Partnership has been prepared by a drafting group on the
basis of input and feedback from representatives of Member States and
Associated Countries, key stakeholders - including representatives from
the regional sea-basin coordination and support actions, associated
experts and in close collaboration with the European Commission, under
coordination by the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation.
The drafting group**, led and coordinated by the JPI Oceans Secretariat
and representatives from France and Ireland, is comprised of nominated
volunteers from Member States and Associated Countries,
representatives of the European Commission and representatives of the
regional sea-basin coordination and support actions.
_______________
*The status of this Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda will remain
a draft until its approval by the formal partners of the Sustainable Blue
Economy Partnership.
**Thorsten Kiefer, Oonagh McMeel, Willem De Moor (all JPI Oceans

Secretariat), Maurice Heral (France) and Niall McDonough (Ireland and
Atlantic Strategy / Action Plan), Dennis Lisbjerg (Denmark), Gerd Kraus
(Germany), Karoliina Koho (BANOS CSA), Kathrine Angell-Hansen
(Norway), Lisette Enserink (Netherlands), Margherita Cappelletto
(BlueMed CSA & Italy), Martin Visbeck (Germany), Mustafa Yucel (Black
Sea Connect CSA), Petra Wallberg (Sweden), Petri Suuronen (Finland),
Viorel Vulturescu (Romania).
Suggested reference: Horizon Europe candidate partnership. A climate

neutral, sustainable and productive blue economy. Draft Strategic
Research and Innovation Agenda (2021)
3
Background and context
Many hopes and opportunities for sustainable prosperity and wellbeing are associated with the blue
economy. Interpretation of the scope and character of the blue economy concept, however, can vary.
This Partnership refers to the definition in the EU Blue Economy Report 2020 1. It is described to include
‘all sectoral and cross-sectoral economic activities based on or related to the oceans, seas and coasts’
and further categorises them as either established (marine living resources, marine non-living
resources, marine renewable energy, ports activities, shipbuilding and repair, maritime transport and
coastal tourism) or emerging maritime sectors (ocean energy, blue bioeconomy and biotechnology,
marine minerals, desalination, maritime defence and submarine cables). Similarly, the Organisation for
Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) defined the ocean economy as ‘the sum of the
economic activities of ocean-based industries, together with the assets, goods and services provided by
marine ecosystems.’ 2
The blue economy is comprised of both marine- and terrestrial -based activities (e.g. fish processing,
sensor production, desalination) and is influenced by the land-sea (coastal) interface (e.g. riverine input,
human activities). Yet blue economy value chains will always incorporate some form of application in
or use of marine and coastal space, resources or information.
The European partnership for “A climate neutral, sustainable and productive blue economy” (herein
after referred to as the ‘Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership’) is envisaged as a co-funded partnership
under the Horizon Europe Research & Innovation (R&I) framework programme 2021-27. The core group
of formal members and signatories will be comprised of relevant ministries and funding agencies from
the participating countries.
The Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) is a framework of agreed high-level ideas for
thematic partnership priorities, on which the development of Annual Work Plans by the formal parties to
the Partnership will be based. The SRIA is an integral and necessary part of the proposal for the
Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership that centres on the structuring and focus of the thematic agenda.
It reflects some of the contextual information on the rationale, vision and objectives, expected impacts,
collaboration and synergies, and implementation modalities of the draft proposal of the Sustainable Blue
Economy Partnership. 3 The development of this SRIA has been coordinated by the Joint Programming
Initiative for Healthy Seas and Oceans (JPI Oceans) with the support from representatives of Member
States and Associated Countries, regional initiatives and the European Commission.
This SRIA builds on the extensive analysis, priority setting, and stakeholder consultation performed
while developing the strategic agendas of regional and pan-European initiatives. Many of the already
identified research priorities and activities of the European Union (EU) and single nations are similar
1 European Commission (2020). The EU Blue Economy Report. 2020. Publications Office of the European Union. Luxembourg.
2
OECD (2016), The Ocean Economy in 2030, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264251724-en.
3
https://ec.europa.eu/info/files/climate-neutral-sustainable-and-productive-blue-economy_en
4
and therefore offer an opportunity for pan-European alignment over all European sea basins.
Accordingly, this Partnership SRIA takes into account commonalities among JPI Oceans new Strategy
Framework and existing SRIAs from the EU sea basins and builds on them, including the Mediterranean
SRIA 4, the Black Sea SRIA 5, the joint Baltic and North Sea SRIA 6, as well as developments in the Atlantic,
including the ongoing implementation work under Galway and Belém Statements 7 and the Atlantic
Action Plan 2.0 8. These roadmaps are supported by Horizon 2020-funded Coordination and Support
Actions (AORA-CSA, AANChOR-CSA, BlueMed CSA, Black Sea CONNECT and BANOS CSA) and offer
demonstrated achievability of policy targets at sea basin scales, allow common issues to be jointly
addressed and facilitate the development of national marine and maritime strategies for a climate
neutral, sustainable and productive blue economy in a consistent way.
Furthermore, the BlueMed and Black Sea SRIAs rely on the established cooperation and coordination
within the EU sea basin strategies in the West Mediterranean and in the Black Sea 9. The BlueMed SRIA
also benefits from the framework provided by the Union for the Mediterranean 2015 Ministerial
Declaration on blue economy 10 that will be updated in early 2021 with a new Ministerial Declaration.
Similarly, the BANOS CSA has considered the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EU SBSR) in the
development of the SRIA for the Baltic and North Sea.
At the global level, of particular relevance is the implementation plan for the United Nations Decade of
Ocean Science (2021-2030) 11 which articulates a common global framework for ocean science themes
that support actions towards the ocean dimensions of sustainable development in the context of the
UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In addition, a number of related EU strategies and initiatives within the remit of the Sustainable Blue
Economy Partnership will need to be considered during the implementation of the SRIA, these are
detailed further in Appendix 1.
To address aspects related to the influence of freshwater, transitional water, terrestrial environments
and land-based activities on the blue economy, as well as to connect with relevant communities and
stakeholders, this Partnership will collaborate with diverse activities and projects funded under Horizon
Europe, particularly those in the clusters on 'Food and Natural Resources' and 'Climate, Energy and
Mobility', such as the partnerships ‘Water4All’, ‘Rescuing Biodiversity’, ‘Waterborne’, ‘Clean Energy
Transition’ and ‘Driving Urban Transitions’ and the Mission ‘Ocean, Seas and Waters’ (detailed further
in Section 9).
4 http://www.bluemed-initiative.eu/strategic-research-and-innovation-agenda/
5 http://connect2blacksea.org/the-sria/
6 https://www.banoscsa.org/banos_csa
7 https://allatlanticocean.org/whoweare
8
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1395674057421&uri=CELEX:52013DC0279
9 https://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/policy/sea_basins_en
10 https://ufmsecretariat.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2015-11-17-declaration-on-blue-economy_en.pdf
11 https://www.oceandecade.org/
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Thematic areas of common European interest are extracted from the agendas mentioned above and
collectively offer a high potential for this cross-sectorial Partnership to align public R&I funding and
maximise the coherence and impact of the investments. This SRIA focusses on actions where joint
national and EU support can generate momentum and impact well above what could be achieved by a
single country or region and thus contributes significantly to a high-performing European Research Area
(ERA) in the blue economy domain, in line with the objectives laid out in the recent Communication on
a new European Research Area for Research and Innovation 12.
Rationale for the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership
Europe is a maritime continent. In 2018, the EU blue economy directly employed close to 5 million
people, generating more than €750 billion of turnover 13. Although many sectors were severely affected
by the COVID-19 crisis, the blue economy has an enormous potential to contribute to a ‘greener’
economic recovery. The UN Global Compact ‘Blue Resilience Brief’ 14 highlights how the challenges
presented by the pandemic can advance science-industry collaboration to achieve a more resilient and
sustainable recovery of the blue economy.
The High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy recently concluded that sustainable offshore
investments could provide at least five times greater returns than costs 15, demonstrating that
sustainability and economic development are not mutually exclusive goals, but in fact reinforce one
another. A study commissioned by the World Ocean Initiative predicts that the ocean can sustainably
provide six times more food than it does today through better management and technological
innovation 16. In addition, research has shown that restoring and protecting the world's large marine
ecosystems would not only result in a healthier ocean, with associated positive impacts for coastal
communities and livelihoods, but also transform a number of maritime sectors resulting in significant
opportunities for job creation 17. This has already been demonstrated in the offshore wind energy
sector, where jobs have increased nine-fold in less than 10 years, surpassing employment in the fishing
industry. With an expected 30-fold increase of renewable offshore capacity (340 GW) in the EU by 2050,
this trajectory is expected to increase further.
12 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the
Committee of the Regions, A new ERA for Research and Innovation, COM/2020/628 final, September 2020. https://eur-
lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2020:628:FIN
14
https://oceandecade.org/assets/uploads/documents/Towards-a-More-Resilient-and-Sustainable-Blue-Economy-sept20-
_1598949409.pdf
15 Konar, M. & Ding, H. A Sustainable Ocean Economy for 2050: Approximating Its Benefits and Costs (World Resources Institute, 2020).
16 Costello, C., L. Cao, S. Gelcich et al. 2019 The Future of Food from the Sea. Washington, DC: World Resources Institute.
17 Hudson, A. (2017) Restoring and Protecting the world's large marine ecosystems: An engine for job creation and sustainable economic
development. Environmental Development 22: 150-155 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envdev.2016.10.003
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The potential of a climate neutral and sustainable blue economy to deliver innovation, value creation
and employment is high, and its role in addressing challenges as articulated in the European Green Deal
and in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, such as energy security, healthy productive and
biodiverse ecosystems, human health and well-being, climate change and sustainable food provision is
substantial 18.
Marine ecosystems provide a wide range of goods and services that, both directly and indirectly, benefit
economies and support human health and wellbeing, in ways we are only beginning to understand.
Many blue economy sectors involve or impact those operating and living in the coastal space. Therefore,
we need to take a wider view on how to foster sustainable, equitable and resilient coastal enterprise
and communities. These communities need more secure opportunities for subsistence and they must
play a role in creating a more sustainable, resilient and just blue economy, one that ensures a fair
distribution of benefits to those who are often most affected by sectoral activities 19. An outstanding
example is marine and coastal tourism, which accounted overall for 62% of the jobs, 41% of the gross
value added and 34% of the profits in the EU’s blue economy in 2018 20, thus being one of its key assets.
Greener and more sustainable marine and coastal tourism solutions will further underpin the ecological
and socioeconomic basis for this sector. Such a transformation offers urgently needed opportunities to
accelerate recovery and build resilience in a sector and in communities that have been severely affected
by the COVID-19 pandemic 21.
Marine and coastal environments do not stop at political borders and neither do the challenges they
face. Challenges and risks from land-based and sea-based human activities, climate change and
unsustainable growth in the blue economy impact Europe’s regional sea areas in different ways, with
areas such as sea-grass meadows, shallow coastal embayments, coral reefs, mangroves and the Arctic
being extremely vulnerable. At the same time, Europe’s seas create regional cohesion and connect
countries to one another. Europe’s ocean, seas and coasts are host to complex systems of globally
interlinked commercial activities, often competing for the same dynamic space and resources. About
70% of marine waters are experiencing increasing cumulative harmful anthropogenic impacts 22. Seabed
habitats are under significant pressure across European seas from the cumulative impacts of demersal
fishing, coastal developments, aquatic pollutants and other activities.
Sustainability solutions in the ocean are interdependent with those on land, particularly in coastal areas.
The coastal zone serves as the interface between land-based society and ocean economic activity.
Coastal and maritime spatial planning (MSP) and integrated ocean governance and management are
18 Stuchtey, M., A. Vincent, A. Merkl, M. Bucher et al. 2020. “Ocean Solutions That Benefit People, Nature and the Economy.”
Washington, DC: World Resources Institute. www.oceanpanel.org/ocean-solutions.
19 Bennett, N. J., Blythe, J., White, C. S., & Campero, C. (2021). Blue growth and blue justice: Ten risks and solutions for the ocean
economy. Marine Policy 125, 104387 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2020.104387

21 The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Blue Economy: New Challenges and Prospects for Recovery and Resilience.
UNCTAD/DITC/TED/INF/2020/2
22 IPBES (2019): Global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. E. S. Brondizio, J. Settele, S. Díaz, and H. T. Ngo (editors). IPBES secretariat, Bonn, Germany
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therefore critical elements of a just transition to a sustainable blue economy. The ecosystem approach
to management (EAM) has been demonstrated to enable the transition to sustainable blue economy
practices. EAM promotes restoration of good environmental status (GES), in line with the objective of
the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and the conservation and sustainable use of the
whole ecosystem, and it recognises humans, with their cultural diversity, as an integral component of
ecosystems. It is thus an interdisciplinary approach, based on scientific knowledge and requiring
stakeholder involvement, that balances ecological, social and governance principles to achieve
sustainable resource use. Applying EAM is an iterative process and already a legal requirement under
both the MSFD and the MSP Directive.
A recent report commissioned by the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy 23 stresses that
a healthy ocean and a sustainable blue economy requires a new relationship with the ocean, one that
ensures effective protection, sustainable production and equitable prosperity.
Vision
The vision for the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership is to enable a just and inclusive transition from
the current, widely non-sustainable ocean economy to a regenerative and circular blue economy that
contributes to restoring the ocean’s health, resilience and the services it provides to people, by being
climate-neutral, sustainable and productive.
Europe stands at a crossroads: the European Green Deal provides an ambitious action plan and
tremendous opportunity to achieve a climate-neutral EU by 2050 through a just and inclusive
transformation to a regenerative, sustainable and circular economy, with zero net emissions of
greenhouse gases, restoring biodiversity and safeguarding a healthy and toxic-free environment. The
associated paradigm shifts both necessitate and support the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership’s
vision to provide key knowledge and innovation empowering the transition to a regenerative,
sustainable and productive blue economy, which in turn provides enormous opportunities to boost
post-pandemic recovery in our maritime sectors, delivering jobs, value-creation and the “blue”
component of the European Green Deal.
The OECD report Rethinking Innovation for a Sustainable Blue Economy 24, identifies advances in a
number of maritime sectors which have the potential to deliver ‘win-win solutions’, i.e. strengthening
economic development while at the same time supporting ecosystem preservation and restoration.
23
Stuchtey, M., A. Vincent, A. Merkl, M. Bucher et al. 2020. “Ocean Solutions That Benefit People, Nature and the Economy.”
Washington, DC: World Resources Institute. www.oceanpanel.org/ocean-solutions
24 OECD (2019), Rethinking Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, OECD Publishing, Paris,
https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264311053-en
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Delivering such win-win scenarios across all maritime sectors will require changes to ocean business, in
some cases incremental, but in others, transformative.
On the basis of research, knowledge and data, ocean industries and SMEs can drive the innovation
needed to address the grand challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and post-pandemic
recovery, and meet the Green Deal targets. Technological and nature-based solutions, knowledge-
based governance and decision-making systems, societal innovation, Open Science 25, enhanced Ocean
Literacy and engagement of citizens are further essential components to fast-track the transition to a
climate-neutral, sustainable and productive blue economy. Digitalization and equitable access to FAIR
(Findable Accessible Interoperable and Reusable) data 26 to support information, knowledge, innovation
and Ocean Literacy are described as cornerstones for the success of the UN Ocean Decade.
Through the concerted effort of this Partnership, existing knowledge and know-how from European R&I
programmes will be synthesised and implemented to optimise societal and economic value creation. In
addition, new technical and environmental knowledge, open knowledge infrastructures and scientific
evidence will be delivered to support actions across society, policy and the economy. These activities
will build the substrate and tools for a sustainable blue economic transition driven by trans-disciplinary
and cross sectoral collaboration, creative ideas and solutions, information access, and knowledge-based
policies.
The Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership will work closely with stakeholders from industry, public
bodies and civil society as an ambitious and expanding cross-sectoral collaboration initiative that aligns
European, national and regional research efforts and resources. It will support joint activities to co-
design and co-deliver the R&I basis consisting of existing and new information, infrastructure, literacy
and social participation necessary for the blue economic transition to sustainability. The Partnership
will act as an incubator promoting the development of new skills and the realisation of sustainable jobs
for European citizens and neighbouring countries.
This Partnership’s vision reflects the notion of the central global initiative, the UN Decade of Ocean
Science for Sustainable development that “the only possibility to move from the ‘ocean we have’ to the
‘ocean we want’ is to convince key stakeholders that the world requires a transformational, large-scale,
innovative campaign of ocean science and partnerships to improve delivery” 27.
25 Open Science is an umbrella term that describes sharing via internet any kind of output, resources, methods or tools, at any stage of
the research process, of relevance is in this context are Open Access, Open Data and Open Innovation
26 Wilkinson, M., Dumontier, M., Aalbersberg, I. et al. (2016) The FAIR Guiding Principles for scientific data management and
stewardship. Sci Data 3, 160018. https://doi.org/10.1038/sdata.2016.18

27 https://www.oceandecade.org/resource/108/Version-20-of-the-Ocean-Decade-Implementation-Plan-
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Objectives
The Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership aims to achieve four general objectives:
A. Alignment of priorities and investments across Europe

A powerful alignment and structuring among the EU Member States’ and Associated Countries’ R&I
priorities, resource allocations, activities and programmes in sustainable blue economy domains in
which R&I requirements converge across Europe, regional sea basin areas and international partners.
B. Cooperation across socioeconomic sectors and scientific disciplines

Pan-European and international R&I cooperation at an unprecedented level of integration that includes
all relevant socioeconomic sectors and cultures from research, innovation and industry to education
and science diplomacy. The community involved is open and growing, inclusive of international
partners, in particular those bordering Europe’s seas and ocean.
C. Provision of knowledge for a sustainable development of the blue economy

A strong, multi-disciplinary evidence-base of knowledge, information and know-how to support sound
policymaking, regulatory frameworks, sustainable blue economy business opportunities and solution
generation. This will contribute to unlock, demonstrate and enable sustainable and responsible use of
the full socioeconomic potential of our seas and ocean, within the boundaries of healthy and resilient
ecosystems.
D. Transformation to a more digital knowledge-based climate-neutral and sustainable blue

economy
Rapid progress in the digitalisation of the ocean over the next decade to support the transition, by mid-
century, to a blue economy that is climate-neutral, ecologically sustainable, socially just and inclusive,
resilient, productive and competitive, improves ocean health and resilience and people’s well-being and
reduces human induced risks to nature. This will contribute to sustainable jobs and economic/societal
value creation while enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. It will also support compliance
with legal and policy requirements under the Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP), the MSFD, the Water
Framework Directive (WFD) and the MSP Directive and contribute to EU strategic priorities (including
the European Green Deal, Digital Europe, Cohesion Policy, Circular Economy Action Plan, Zero Pollution
ambition, the Bioeconomy, Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies, the Strategic Research Agenda for
Ocean Energy and the soon-to-be adopted EU Communication on a new approach on Sustainable Blue
Economy as well as to the UN 2030 Agenda and associated 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), in
particular SDG 14 ‘Life under water’.
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The four general objectives are depicted as a logical sequence of value creation from priority alignment
to transformative impact (Fig. 1). Their sequence is a seamless continuum. This does not, however,
imply that they are addressed sequentially. Rather, they will be pursued in parallel.
Intervention logic to achieve the general objectives

Each general objective has been interwoven with four specific objectives that form the basis of an
intervention logic for each general objective (Fig 1). The specific objectives are:
1. Integration - To promote interlinked approaches and systemic thinking for integrated
information for the blue economy transition
2. Solutions - To stimulate innovation through science-informed solutions
3. Tools - To offer tools and information to enable climate neutrality and sustainability of blue
economy activities
4. Frameworks - To ensure supportive framework conditions for the blue economy to thrive in a
climate-neutral and sustainable way
Figure 1. Schematic illustration of the matrix formed by the seamless sequence of four strategic general
objectives A-D (blue) and four specific objectives 1-4 (red).
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An overview of the aims of the respective general objective (A-D), and an illustrated summary of the
intervention logic based on thematic objectives, inputs, activities and outputs is presented in Appendix
2. The evolution of a successful Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership will necessitate a feedback loop
of continuous learning and adjustment, where transformative progress (D) will affect and modulate
priorities (A). This learning loop will be systematically considered during the development of the annual
work plans.
Expected impacts
The Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership will generate positive impact through the transformation to
a climate-neutral, sustainable and productive blue economy, operating in a healthy and resilient marine
environment, in which the benefits are distributed fairly. In the near-term, by 2027, the Partnership will
deliver concrete impacts on R&I structures, instruments, practices and relevant policies, both at EU and
Member State level. In the medium and longer-term, the positive impacts of the Partnership will be
delivered across the three interlinked aspects of sustainability, leading to environmental, economic and
societal benefits (as suggested in the Key Impact Pathways monitoring concept for EU Framework
Programmes). A number of suggested key performance indicators (KPIs) on the programme level of the
Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership have been detailed in the associated Proposal for this
Partnership 28. These KPIs and their methodologies will be elaborated during the Partnership focusing
process, also considering the ultimate scope and composition of the Sustainable Blue Economy
Partnership.
Impact for Sustainability: Environment

The Partnership will be a significant mechanism to support the achievement of GES in European seas
and put Europe's marine biodiversity on a path to recovery by 2030. By definition, the transition of the
blue economy towards climate-neutrality and sustainability will deliver beneficial environmental
impacts, reducing human pressures from pollution (litter, plastics and microplastics, chemicals, noise,
etc.), a changing climate and unsustainable extraction of marine resources. Digitalisation and advanced
technologies will enable the reduction of impacts from economic activities and the development of
innovative solutions to prevent or counter environmental degradation, restoring and enhancing natural
capital and marine ecosystem goods and services. Environmental policy impacts will stem from the
development of innovative actions and nature-based solutions that help prevent or reverse the
deterioration of aquatic and marine resources, improve sustainable practices, and increase the
resilience of ocean ecosystems in the face of change. The Partnership will mainstream marine
biodiversity conservation and contribute to a new deal for nature and people.
28
https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/research_and_innovation/funding/documents/ec_rtd_he-partnership-climate-neutral-
sustainable-productive-blue-economy.pdf
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Impact for Sustainability: Economy
While the overall transition of the current blue economy to a productive, climate-neutral and
sustainable mode will continue well beyond a decade, the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership will
impact the process. It will lay the required foundations and deliver innovation stimulus for products and
services that create high-value jobs and opportunities for investment in those maritime sectors that
address the objectives of the European Green Deal. Foundation elements for a sustainable blue
economy will include informed policies and governance architectures, an array of available
infrastructures and information access, educational elements to ensure ocean literacy, capacity and
skills among society, enablers and workforce. In addition, the Partnership is expected to deliver stimuli
for concrete innovative solutions, best practice and pilots to be tested and scaled up in all relevant
economic sectors, where they benefit start-ups, SMEs and established maritime businesses. This will
attract creativity, investments and entrepreneurship to deliver a transformation to a blue economy that
is productive for all relevant economic sectors but also just and ethical, in particular for coastal
communities.
Impact for Sustainability: Society

The Partnership will aim to deliver impacts for the equitable benefit of society as a whole rather than
for ocean business alone. The transformation to a blue economy will establish a system of science-
based informing of policies and governance. This will enable the fulfilment of existing obligations in the
nexus of ocean health, climate change and sustainable economic development, resulting in safe and
equitable employment opportunities, better livelihood and health, and generally higher social
standards. The Partnership will further equip society with advanced methodologies for achieving a
sustainable future, such as through development and implementation of systematic MSP and
management tools (e.g. Marine Protected Areas). New knowledge will contribute to improving societal
safety and resilience (e.g. in coastal communities), and to increasing the capacity to harness the health
and well-being benefits of interacting with blue spaces. Citizen engagement and a more ocean literate
population will also deliver greater awareness and support for the importance of R&I in achieving
sustainable development of our ocean resources.
Impact for Research & Innovation: Cooperation Structures, Policies and Practice
The Partnership will catalyse a systemic, structural and cultural transformation in the approach to
marine and maritime R&I. Results will include greater alignment in strategic priorities and
implementation modalities across all relevant scales of blue economy R&I, including at national, macro-
regional, EU, pan-European and international levels. This is anticipated to result in a multiplying effect
of collaborative investments to support joint activities, with potential for significant complementary
contributions from external private sector collaborators. The Partnership will nurture a diverse and
vibrant community across research disciplines, socioeconomic sectors and policy arenas, and find
agreed mechanisms and tools to support industry-academia-policy collaboration that can be applied
across borders in the context of the single European Research Area. This community is expected to
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become the innovation engine for the anticipated transition, indispensable to the development of a
regenerative and sustainable blue economy.
Cross-sectoral and cross-disciplinary R&I cooperation co-created with societal stakeholders will
increasingly be the norm. Such cooperation may arise, for example, from advancement and realisation
of digital ocean concepts and from the promotion of Europe-wide systems for integrated monitoring,
observation, data, modelling and forecasting capacities. The Partnership will seek to deliver R&I outputs
that are not just incremental but transformative. In doing so, it must leverage existing knowledge tools
and structures, building on progress that has already been delivered, e.g. through Horizon 2020. R&I
actions will be underpinned by best practice in Open Science, i.e. Open Access, Open Data, and
Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI). Optimising structures and tools for knowledge transfer and
pathways to impact will be central to the success of the Partnership.
What success looks like by 2030:

In line with the objectives of the European Green Deal and Digital Europe priorities, the Partnership will
contribute to the sustainability and resilience of the blue economy by supporting the establishment of
innovative governance models. It will also contribute to strengthening the EU and international science-
policy interfaces in marine- and maritime-related domains as well as the Global Earth Observation
System of Systems (GEOSS) by supporting the further deployment and exploitation of Environmental
Observation data and products and of digital and data technologies.
More specifically, the Partnership is expected to contribute to the following outcomes:
• EU and national multi-level cooperation and alignment across and within regional seas of R&I
programmes, priorities and investments are enhanced, based on established strategic R&I agendas
and related cooperation activities, including international agreements and outreach; as well as
cooperation with other Horizon Europe initiatives, European Partnerships and Missions.
• Europe’s role in ocean science, research, social and technological developments, innovation and
productivity in the marine domain is clearly strengthened by 2030 and transformative governance
enables the advances of the role of Europe in business, finance and social developments in the
marine/maritime domain.
• By 2030, Europe has contributed significantly and in a measurable way to the climate neutrality of
the blue economy, the European Green Deal objectives and its different strategies.
• The science-based implementation of EU marine-related legislation, regulations and objectives is
supported, as well as the advanced sustainability of activities, practices and existing and new
products and services of the blue economy value chains throughout European regional seas and
the Atlantic.
• Transformative change is promoted and enabled through actionable science and sustainable, fair
and just solutions for the blue economy and for communities, involving a participatory and multi-
stakeholder approach.
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• The deployment of digital, nature-based and social innovations as well as community-led and
purpose-driven technology for the blue economy is supported.
• Ocean literacy in the EU and beyond is increased.
• Sustained ocean and coastal observations and availability of FAIR data for environmental, climate
and blue economy purposes are substantially increased.
• Global cooperation with key partners bordering the different EU sea basins is strengthened.
Thematic pillars and scope
The analysis of regional-scale strategic agendas revealed important knowledge gaps and associated R&I
themes of high relevance, shared across sea basins. It inspired the architecture of a pan-European
agenda for the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership, with four high-level thematic pillars under which
priority R&I objectives were clustered:
1. A blue economy in harmony with nature

2. Blue economy solutions towards climate neutrality
3. A thriving blue economy for the people
4. Integrated and responsible ocean governance
The pillars reflect the transformative change required to achieve a sustainable transition of the blue
economy that will benefit people, planet and economy. All pillars are highly interconnected. Pillars 1-3
relate to the three blue economy aspects mentioned in the Partnership title, namely sustainability,
climate neutrality and productivity. In the context of this Partnership, these key terms are considered
in the broad sense of their meaning. Sustainability refers to a desired system that reconciles long-term
environmental and economic health. Climate neutrality includes the goal of a net zero effect of all
activities on the climate system throughout entire value chains and considering socioeconomic climate
resilience. The term productivity refers to a sustainable blue economy‘s contribution to secure provision
of requirements for the well-being of all people, such as sustainable jobs, income, food, health, safety
and recreation.
Pillars 1-3 are connected by the integrative element of governance represented by pillar 4. While
governance is relevant to all pillars, its critical importance in achieving the aims of the Sustainable Blue
Economy Partnership and its outstanding relevance for European countries and the European Union,
means it is afforded its own pillar and associated R&I objectives. Due to the relevance of governance to
all Pillars, the governance pillar is visualised as a transversal pillar in Figure 2.
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The thematic pillars should not be considered in isolation from each other but as interconnected
elements. Seven cross-cutting key enablers have been identified (Fig. 2). They connect and support all
four pillars. These enablers are essential catalysts to achieve the objectives of all four thematic pillars,
but do not themselves have R&I objectives associated with them.
Figure 2. Thematic pillar structure and underpinning key enablers.
This high-level SRIA of the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership is deliberately not centred on sector-
specific agendas and does not explicitly mention all potentially relevant blue economy sectors. Aspects
of a particular sector could be addressed under all thematic pillars. This is clearly demonstrated in Figure
3 (below) which maps established and emerging sectors of the blue economy to the thematic pillars
demonstrating the industrial relevance of the SRIA.
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Figure 3. Illustration of how strongly the blue economy sectors, as defined in the EU Blue Economy 2020
report, relate to the three thematic pillars of the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership. The intensity of
the blue colouring depicts an estimate of relative relevance. Other sectors are considered to be of
substantial importance to the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership but are not categorised in the EU
Blue Economy 2020 report. These include e.g. maritime technology (development and production of
sensors, carriers, automation technology, digital infrastructures and ICT applications), marine
construction, and innovative coastal protection and restoration.
Research and Innovation Objectives

The R&I objectives specified within each of the pillars are impact-driven. They include critical knowledge
gaps, which must be addressed to achieve the desired impact and inspire technological and community-
driven innovation actions. These are diverse in nature, ranging from fundamental understanding of
marine and coastal ecosystem functioning and resilience necessary to underpin the blue economy, to
delivering innovative technical and engineering solutions to restore natural capital and support
industrial competitiveness in the transition.
The identified R&I objectives are those considered most relevant to support the transition to a climate
neutral, sustainable and productive blue economy operating in a clean healthy and resilient marine
environment, in line with the Partnership’s four general objectives (Fig. 1). The R&I objectives are
furthermore selected to avoid duplication while enabling collaboration with areas that will be
undertaken within the scope of other partnerships such as, but not limited to, the Zero-Emission
Waterborne Transport, Rescuing Biodiversity, Water4All and Clean Energy Transition partnerships
(detailed further in section 9).
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The thematic pillars and associated R&I objectives are described in more detail in Section 7 and the key
enablers are further elaborated in Section 8. An overview table of thematic pillars, R&I objectives,
enablers and relevant links is provided in Appendix 3.
Fundamental principles of this Partnership

Translating high-level R&I objectives into regional and local solutions that deliver economic,
environmental and societal benefits will necessitate quadruple helix actors (academia, industry,
government and civil society). Responsible research and innovation (RRI) is a fundamental principle of
this Partnership to ensure that these societal actors work together in order to better align R&I process
and outcomes with the values, needs and expectations of society. Capacity-building efforts will also be
integrated, promoted and embedded in activities funded by the Partnership.
Engagement with industry (start-ups, SMEs and established maritime businesses) will be a priority for
this Partnership to ensure the co-creation and uptake of new sustainable solutions. This requires a
sound basis in the form of common language and a clear definition of what is ‘sustainable’. To that end,
the Partnership adheres to the EU taxonomy for sustainable activities as a reference (see also Section
8.7 on sustainable financing).
Open Science makes science more efficient, reliable, and responsive to societal challenges. The Covid-
19 pandemic has demonstrated the significance of opening up science, sharing knowledge and
collaborating to accelerate mitigation and prevention measures. The current incentive structures in
academic research often fail to recognize value and reward efforts to open up scientific research.
Barriers also exist when collaborating with industrial operators. This Partnership commits to Open
Science and the FAIR data principles. It will draw on existing tools such as Plan S 29 and develop explicit
policies on Open Science with a clear description of roles and responsibilities for each stakeholder as
this is a key aspect in fostering the necessary change in research culture.
Although a European Partnership, the geographical scope of the SRIA extends beyond Europe,
recognising the interconnectedness of marine environments and the global impact of European R&I.
The SRIA also does not specify regional priorities, instead, the themes are overarching allowing flexibility
to address specific sea-basin priorities. Whilst the focus of the R&I actions are on marine and coastal
zones and their resources, the SRIA takes a holistic approach to blue economy activities that extend
upstream of the coastal zone (as defined in Section 2) and again will work synergistically with other
Partnerships (e.g. Water4All, Rescuing Biodiversity) to ensure efficient and effective use of resources.
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https://www.coalition-s.org/
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Thematic pillars – detailed explanation
7.1 Pillar 1. A blue economy in harmony with nature

How can the blue economy contribute to the sustainable use of marine goods and the restoration
and regeneration of marine ecosystems?
7.1.1 Why this area is important?
Preserving and increasing the natural capital of coastal and marine ecosystems in a rapidly changing
ocean is critical to safeguard and enhance the sustainable ecosystem services that underpin the blue
economy, to deliver GES in European waters, to put Europe's biodiversity on a path to recovery by 2030
and for the EU to achieve the UN SDGs by 2030. The new blue economy will be a knowledge- and
innovation-driven economy. It will develop and deliver a new generation of ocean observing
technologies, advanced data products and services, and digital and nature-based solutions. It will
transition from an economy that is largely extractive and resource depleting, to one that provides
solutions for the protection and preservation of natural capital and the restoration of degraded marine
ecosystems. The sustainable development of the blue economy is not feasible without comprehensive
knowledge of our marine ecosystems, and the environmental, socio-economic, and ecological effects
of cumulative human activities, both now and in the future.
7.1.2 Research and innovation objectives
Cluster A: Economic development within environmental boundaries
i. Enabling good environmental status by characterising ocean health and cumulative impacts of
blue economy activities from catchment to the deep sea.
ii. Protecting, monitoring and restoring ecosystem resilience and marine biodiversity considering
also nature-based solutions.
iii. Understanding and quantifying the ecosystem responses to effects of natural and economic
processes that differentiate basin systems from each-other.
For an effective management of human activities based on an ecosystem approach, an adequate

knowledge base is essential. Pillar 1 of the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership will provide the
knowledge to determine the capacities and limits of Europe’s seas, ocean and coastal zones to
sustainably support the blue economy and regeneration of marine ecosystems and restoration of
marine biodiversity. New information and knowledge will provide both a benchmark of the effects of
economic activities on marine ecosystems and the feasibility of continued or new economic activities,
as well as proper considerations of historical and cumulative impacts. R&I activities will develop and
explore the potential of new business models which protect, monitor and contribute to the restoration
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and sustainable use of ocean resources. The development and deployment of nature-based solutions 30
(i.e. solutions inspired or supported by nature) to support the regeneration of natural capital and to
protect and restore biodiversity will be a central focus of work in this area.
Cluster B: Reduction of pollution and other forms of disturbance of the marine ecosystem
i. Providing innovative technological, circular and nature-based solutions for prevention and
remediation of ecosystem disturbance and pollution including eutrophication, hazardous
substances, litter and underwater noise.
ii. Designing economic practices that reconcile the conservation and restoration of habitats with
their sustainable use.
iii. Scientifically underpinning criteria for the responsible use of non-living marine resources (e.g.
sand, gravel, minerals), including from the deep sea.
Preventing and reducing marine and coastal pollution, and the introduction of energy (e.g. underwater
noise and light), will be central to facilitate a blue economy in harmony with nature. Actions will identify
innovative and nature-based reduction and remediation solutions to prevent and minimise land-
derived pollution reaching the sea via carriers (i.e. rivers), as well as pollution from all maritime sectors,
including historically accumulated pollution. Other forms of pressures, such as seafloor disturbance,
habitat loss, hydrological changes and the introduction of non-indigenous species will also be
considered. The adverse environmental impacts that extraction of non-living marine resources
generates will be evaluated against the benefits of their use. Adopting a circular approach will break
the linear ‘take-make-use-dispose’ production-consumption model. Accordingly, the use of innovative
bio-based or biodegradable new material (also referred to in Pillar 3) will be a focus for the reduction
of pollution. Furthermore, the development of environmentally friendly, cost-effective and sustainable
products from marine non-living resources will reduce the need for their extraction.
Cluster C: Sustained observation, monitoring and digitalisation of seas and oceans

i. Advancing the Digital Ocean concept and developing digital twins for the comprehension of
marine ecosystems.
ii. Achieving more effective and biologically relevant monitoring, surveying and sampling.
In addition to being an economic activity on its own, ocean observation and monitoring and forecasting
of the marine environment play a growing role in the development of a productive and truly sustainable
blue economy. Actions in this area will focus on the continued development of innovative, low-cost and
durable sensors and sensor networks, in particular for biological parameters such as for environmental
30
Nature Based Solutions as defined by the European Commission are ‘Solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, which are
cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience. Such solutions bring more,
and more diverse, nature and natural features and processes into cities, landscapes and seascapes, through locally adapted, resource-
efficient and systemic interventions. Hence, nature-based solutions must benefit biodiversity and support the delivery of a range of
ecosystem services.’ https://ec.europa.eu/research/environment/index.cfm?pg=nbs
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DNA. This will be complemented by actions on underwater connectivity, including real-time
communication to land-based data centres and platforms, digital tools, robotics and infrastructures.
These enhanced capacities will be leveraged to improve the monitoring and observation needed to
underpin a sustainable blue economy, to achieve the European Green Deal targets and to implement
marine policy objectives. They will build on and ensure interoperability with Europe’s existing marine
observation and data systems. This will enable more sustained and continuous observation and
monitoring of maritime activities and of the biological, chemical, physical, geological and hydrological
characteristics of ocean ecosystems, ensuring harmonisation of data collection and abundant delivery
of diverse FAIR data. Research will address key knowledge gaps that are fundamental to baseline
assessments and forward projections of ocean health and mitigation of climate change and ocean
acidification. Advanced ICT will create an intelligent digital environment - the Digital Ocean concept - a
new paradigm for marine research, integrating existing technologies and tools with new digital
technologies. It comprises large FAIR data, connections, models and simulation tools, superimposed on
physical space. Ocean Digital Twins (ODT) will thus leverage growing amounts of data to study, at basin-
and at global scale, the relations among different aspects (morphological, geological, chemical, physical,
biological, socio-economics of coastal communities) of the ocean system. By continuing to collect and
learn from data, ODT will follow the real dynamic changes of the marine environment over time with
ever increasing accuracy.
Knowledge transfer activities in this Pillar will encourage start-ups, entrepreneurs and SMEs to leverage
the Digital Ocean to develop new products and services. Maritime sectors will be enabled to use the
data and tools developed to reduce their own costs and risks, develop new business models and share
their data with existing data infrastructures to enrich Europe’s FAIR data offering.
7.1.3 Expected results
Actions under Pillar 1 will enable a blue economy transition aligning economic development with
achieving GES of European waters and the objectives set in the framework of the EU Biodiversity
Strategy 2030. They will contribute to better assessments of the trade-offs between ecological
dynamics and socioeconomic needs, thereby also considering historical and cumulative impacts.
Knowledge transfer along the value chain with industry, policy, and civil society will contribute to
achieving the R&I objectives in Pillars 2 and 3 and provide the data and information to underpin
governance actions in Pillar 4. Joint actions and knowledge-sharing with the Rescuing Biodiversity and
Water4All Partnerships, amongst others, will ensure that all actions in this Pillar achieve maximum
impact by extending activities beyond the marine realm to systemically address the land-river-sea
continuum as it relates to the blue economy. At the international level, advanced European ocean
observation capacities will contribute to strengthening the Global Earth Observation System of Systems.
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7.2 Pillar 2. Blue economy solutions towards climate neutrality
How can the blue economy contribute to climate resilience and climate neutrality by 2050?
7.2.1 Why this area is important
Staying within the global warming limits of the Paris Agreement and meeting the greenhouse gas
emission targets of the European Green Deal requires solutions to fast-track climate neutrality also in
the blue economy. This requires curbing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by mid-century, which
means decarbonisation of all economic processes, moreover the removal and storage of CO2 from the
atmosphere, so-called negative emissions. While some processes such as fossil-fuel based energy
production and transport are obvious greenhouse gas emitters, most production and consumption
processes also result in emissions during their life cycle. A climate neutral economy must find
alternative ways. Even if global warming in this century can be kept well below 2°C, as per the Paris
Agreement, ongoing climate change and related impacts require forward-looking planning for
adaptation to a climate resilient blue economy and coastal settings.
Cluster A: Zero and negative carbon emissions

i. Underpinning innovation to upscale renewable ocean energy.
ii. Fostering the carbon sequestration capacity of coastal and marine environments (‘blue carbon’)
and preventing carbon seepage to the atmosphere.
With about a quarter of CO2 emissions currently coming from electricity generation, harnessing the
huge potential of marine renewable energy is instrumental for achieving the EU’s energy transition
objectives of zero GHG emissions by 2050. This will necessitate an expansion of marine energy
installations which will further increase the competition for marine space and associated impacts on
marine environmental integrity and biodiversity. Work in this area will focus on multi-use of marine
space, considering also circular inspired design and end-of-life phase. New methodologies and
stakeholder engagement approaches are required to identify suitable installation sites that consider
climate change effects and the increasing, potentially conflicting demands for space with other sectors,
e.g. aquaculture, fisheries, or tourism. Developing multi-use platforms that serve the needs of multiple
offshore industries, integrating for example renewable energy and aquaculture installations, could
deliver synergistic benefits and efficiencies. Mitigation interventions of the impacts on the
environment, marine biodiversity, users of the sea and coastal communities will be optimised. Actions
in this area will be developed in collaboration with the Clean Energy Transition partnership.
The importance of coastal habitats and marine ecosystems in sequestering and storing carbon from the
atmosphere, known as ‘blue carbon,’ has become increasingly recognised in recent years. Human
activities can either enhance or disrupt the capacity of these ecosystems to act as carbon sinks. Hence
their conservation and restoration must be an integral component of climate policy. Significant
22
knowledge gaps remain including the extent of these ecosystems, an understanding of the factors that
influence carbon uptake and storage processes in them, and related management actions 31. Research
in this area will focus on addressing these knowledge gaps and inform optimum management strategies
for blue carbon ecosystems. It will also examine the role of release of sub-marine carbon (e.g. methane
and carbon dioxide) to the atmosphere, how climate change will influence it and what measures can
prevent its leakage.
Cluster B: Purpose-driven technological innovations transforming blue economy sectors to climate

neutrality
i. Developing sustainable and cost-efficient solutions for construction, maintenance, reuse and
multi-use of off-shore platforms
ii. Designing green and smart ports, marinas and transport links
iii. Enabling novel materials and technologies for sustainable manufacturing and product life cycle
management
iv. Contributing to innovative and sustainable concepts for ships and recreational boating
Substantial obstacles in the quest for achieving climate neutrality are locked in maritime infrastructures
including their design, functionality and life cycle. Major such infrastructures include offshore
platforms, ports and marinas, and ships and boats. These represent challenges but also opportunities
for structural transformation with a sustained effect. This Partnership will enable cross-sectorial
technological cooperation to advance innovations with the goal of making the maritime domain
smarter, more circular and optimized for multi-use of marine space. To that effect, a fundamental
approach of R&I will be the development of novel materials and technologies to enable flexibility in
manufacturing and full life cycle management of products of constructions. Off-shore platforms will
continue to be important sites for blue economy operations. The Partnership will research making
platforms more cost-efficient and climate-neutral with innovative ways of construction, maintenance
and multiple use, but also reuse for secondary purposes after decommissioning. For their counterparts
on land, ports and marinas, the Partnership will foster smart design development to make them ‘green’
hubs for sustainable operation of trade and transport, both commercial and touristic. The Partnership
will further seek to innovate concepts for ships and recreational boating considering life cycle analysis,
in collaboration with the Partnership on Zero Emission Waterborne Transport.
Cluster C: Climate resilience of coastal socioeconomic and marine ecological systems

i. Developing nature-based solutions to improve responsiveness to natural disasters, increase
natural capital and restore ecosystems
31
Macreadie, P.I., Anton, A., Raven, J.A. et al. (2019). The future of Blue Carbon science. Nat Commun 10, 3998.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-11693-w
23
ii. Quantifying at regional-scale, and across basins, the impacts of climate change (acidification,
sea-level rise, deoxygenation, ocean warmings and other stressors) to strengthen ocean and
coastal resilience
The impacts of climate change on the ocean and its ecosystems will be a reality for many generations,
with particular relevance for coastal communities, but also professionals, entrepreneurs and investors
in the blue economy. In the light of this non-negotiable certainty the Partnership will also addresses
challenges and opportunities for strengthening resilience to the anticipated climate-related changes,
such as ocean warming, acidification, sea-level rise, extreme weather events, changing weather
patterns, and deoxygenation. The essential knowledge for any effective measures to optimise resilience
are that the anticipated changes are quantified with the level of detail that is necessary for adaptive
solutions, i.e. from local to regional and cross-basin scales. On that basis, the Partnership will
particularly harness the multiple benefits of nature-based solutions to improve responsiveness to
(climate-induced) natural hazards, while also increasing natural capital and restoring ecosystems. The
ecosystem conservation, management and restoration interventions envisioned here will contribute to
both climate adaptation and mitigation, provide regional and local solutions, and restore coastal
resilience and the ecosystem services that support local communities.
Actions under Pillar 2 will further develop the marine contribution to curb greenhouse gas emissions
towards net zero, provide solutions targeting climate neutrality from the major maritime
infrastructures, and strengthen societal and economic resilience against climate-change impacts. The
pillar content will be further co-designed and potentially implemented with other Horizon Europe
partnerships, such as Zero Emission Waterborne Transport, Clean Energy Transition, and EIT Climate
KIC and with the Joint Programming Initiative Climate. This Partnership will contribute to
transformational progress in maritime operations, smart ports and marine renewable energy.
7.3 Pillar 3. A thriving blue economy for the people

How can the blue economy contribute to people’s health, well-being and prosperity in a sustainable,
resilient and equitable way?
Human health and well-being and the resilience of coastal communities are interdependent on
prosperous economic development and the quality of marine and coastal ecosystems, their
productivity, goods, and services. A thriving and productive blue economy can provide jobs, sustainable
and nutritious food and feed, bioactive compounds (nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, cosmeceuticals,
biomaterials, bioenergy) and recreational opportunities, while also contributing to ecosystem
protection and restoration. Achieving the European Green Deal targets will depend on how efficiently,
safely and sustainably marine bioresources, energy and seascapes can be used in a way that is fair and
beneficial to all.
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Cluster A: Sustainable, accessible and safe food, feed and bioproducts

i. Developing new and optimising existing blue bioeconomy and biotechnology value chains
ii. Reducing and valorising waste, promoting circularity and ensuring safe, healthy, affordable and
traceable products
iii. Innovating sustainable seafood production systems, including offshore, closed, low- and multi-
trophic aquaculture and low impact sustainable fisheries
There is immense potential for innovation across the blue bioeconomy and an immediate need to make
it more sustainable. Actions in this area will identify crucial knowledge gaps, enhance the circular use
of bioresources and use enabling technologies such as biotechnology and ICT to ensure an efficient and
sustainable development of the blue bioeconomy. Solutions will increase the productivity and
competitiveness of the sector, while advancing sustainability. Existing value chains, from producer (or
harvest) to user, will be optimised. New ones will be developed through product innovation and
differentiation and by exploring new and low trophic bioresources. A “value chain approach” will
identify solutions that consider all steps of a value chain. These may include food quality assurance and
certification, food security and traceability, waste reduction, complete utilization of biomass and
sidestreams through biorefining, extracting bioactive compounds for food, feed and industrial markets,
bioremediating environmental impacts, and considering market developments and consumer
experiences. Rapid advances in ‘omics’ coupled with digital innovations will be leveraged to realise the
enormous genetic potential of marine biodiversity.
Activities will also focus on diversified and low carbon food systems, such as low trophic and
multitrophic aquaculture (e.g. algae and bivalves alongside that of fish and shrimps), aquaponics and
low-impact fisheries. Off-shore, closed and land-based aquaculture will be explored, building on the
technological capacity work in Pillar 2. R&I activities will target animal health and welfare, as well as
nutrition, sustainable feed and seafood safety. This should lead to the provision of alternative sources
of proteins for food and feed which are expected to contribute to healthier and more sustainable diets
and reduce pressures on land resources. The sustainability and stress-resistance of food chains will be
optimized using technological enablers, such as automation and robotics, to advance fish processing
practices and develop new solutions to extend shelf life. The sustainability of the food system as a whole
will be enhanced by reducing food losses and waste and new opportunities to create products from
locally sourced and processed biomass. Digitalisation, ICT, biotechnology, machine learning and
robotics will enable major advancements in both processes and transparency throughout the entire
food chain. It will support sustainability, traceability, strong guidance for responsible consumption,
fraud prevention and increased trust – all to the benefit of consumers.
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Cluster B: Resilient, sustainable and safe coastal communities
i. Fostering innovation, circularity and job creation in coastal communities through a fair, just and
inclusive transition
ii. Exploring economic opportunities of innovative and sustainable concepts for marine and coastal
tourism sectors
iii. Reducing disaster risk for coastal communities and sectors through strengthened resilience and
preparedness to climatic, geological and anthropogenic hazards
Coastal communities are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and threats to ocean health
and biodiversity. Employment opportunities for coastal communities in peripheral, insular or rural areas
are often limited to fishing and tourism, both of which can be affected by seasonality and weather. R&I
actions in this area will adopt innovative participatory and multi-stakeholder bottom-up approaches
(e.g. living labs) to develop new solutions to build resilience in these communities and enterprises.
Social innovation will be a key mechanism to identify and implement opportunities for diversifying
coastal and marine-based enterprises to achieve more secure and equitable employment, particularly
for women, vulnerable and indigenous communities. As one of the most important blue economy
sectors, both financially and in terms of impact on coastal environments and communities, developing
more sustainable traditional and new tourism business models (including eco-tourism 32) will be a focus
of activities in this area. These will be tailored to local needs, build on regional specificities,
characteristics and features, and factor in natural and cultural heritage. Enabling technologies (e.g.
digitalisation) will be exploited to reduce costs and develop new services for the tourism industry,
promoting synergies with other sectors, adopting a circular approach to reduce waste and
environmental footprint. Building on activities in Pillar 1 and 2, climate and earth system modelling
prediction capabilities will contribute to the development of effective monitoring and early warning
systems. This will enable better risk management, especially when applied in combined risk reduction
approaches that consider multiple hazards and cascading effects. Novel technological and nature-based
solutions will be developed to protect coastlines. These solutions will be developed in an ecosystem-
based and systemic way to enhance the resilience of coastal communities and businesses.
Cluster C: Equitable health and well-being

i. Investigating the benefits of blue spaces in enhancing human health
ii. Reducing human health risks from marine borne pathogens, toxins and toxicants
iii. Using biodiscovery to develop applications for human-health and well-being
Ocean and coastal environments present both benefits and risks to human health and well-being. A
healthy and biodiverse ocean maximises health benefits (nutrition, medicines, nutraceuticals and
32The International Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment,
sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education” (TIES, 2015) https://ecotourism.org/
26
recreational opportunities) and reduces risks (pollution, toxins,). The positive health impacts of
interacting with blue spaces will be further explored and quantified to understand how these lead to
positive health outcomes and how they can be replicated and access to them be made more equitable.
Evidence has shown that these benefits may be greatest among lower socio‐economic status groups 33
who often have limited access to these environments. Partnership activities in this area will also focus
on how digitalisation, enabling technologies and nature-based solutions can mitigate the risks to human
health from interactions with ocean environments, through e.g. early warning systems for harmful algal
blooms. Activities will also link to work in Pillar 1 to restore ecosystems and prevent land-derived
pollution. Marine biodiscovery has enormous potential for the isolation of novel bioactive compounds
with potential applications for human health and well-being (drugs, nutraceuticals and cosmetics).
Activities will build on existing marine biobanks and culture collections and ensure that new sampling
is carried out in an environmentally responsible way and in compliance with relevant legislation to
ensure equitable benefit-sharing with local and indigenous communities.
Cluster D: A safe marine environment and blue economy

i. Realising safe and cost-effective offshore operations
ii. Advancing technologies for autonomous processes and navigation
iii. Advancing strategies to minimise risk from novel maritime technologies
iv. Contributing to efficient maritime surveillance
Operating in the marine environment presents unique risks and hazards for people, infrastructures and
investments. Under this objective, and building on work in Pillar 2, opportunities to reduce these risks
through developing new and autonomous technologies and robotics, for example for maintaining and
monitoring offshore platforms, will be explored, to reduce time spent at sea and exposure to harsh
conditions. These innovations for remote monitoring and maintenance of offshore platforms,
autonomous navigation of vehicles and vessels (in addition to new materials and coatings) must
themselves be safe, both for people and planet. Building on the Digital Ocean concept in Pillar 1, more
effective maritime surveillance will be enabled through advanced data acquisition, sharing and
management to support enforcement of and compliance with marine and maritime regulations and
further reduce risks for off-shore operators, maritime infrastructure investments, recreational sea-
users and coastal communities.
Work under Pillar 3 will advance the greening of the blue bioeconomy and coastal enterprises. In doing
so it will reduce pressures on marine resources, such as wild fish stocks and contribute to global food
security through the development of new sustainable food, feed, bio-based products and business
models. These will enable new start-ups and SMEs. Outputs will result in concrete benefits for coastal
33Wheeler B. W., White M., Stahl Timmins W., and Depledge M. H. (2012) Does living by the coast improve health and well‐being?
Health & Place 18(5): 1198–1201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2012.06.015
27
communities, businesses and the environment, as well as wider human health and wellbeing benefits.
New business models will be developed to provide just and secure employment for those whose
livelihoods are intertwined with the seas and ocean. Finally, it will ensure that economic activities from
established and emerging blue economy sectors are safe for people and planet and the benefits
generated by them are fairly distributed. Activities with relevant partnerships, such as the Circular Bio-
based Europe, Driving Urban Transitions and Safe Food Systems partnerships could advance activities
in this pillar to maximise impact.
7.4 Pillar 4. Integrated and responsible ocean governance

How can knowledge-based, inclusive, integrated and responsible ocean governance support the
transformation towards a sustainable blue economy?
Human well-being relies on the biosphere, including resources provided by ocean ecosystems. Without
a transformation to sustainability, the projected world population of 9-10 billion by 2050 will
substantially increase pressures on the ocean. Global demand for raw materials, food, feed and clean
water will rise, while illegal- and over-fishing, climate change, and marine pollution are already putting
multiple pressures on our ocean's health and productivity, contributing to the breaching of planetary
boundaries. Ocean governance faces the challenge of reflecting the multi-dimensional and
interconnected role that the ocean plays for environmental health, economic prosperity and human
well-being, including justice and equity. Innovation, novel technologies and digital tools will help the
transition towards a more knowledge-based ocean management. Ocean governance addresses multiple
human activities, but there is no single policy, institution or actor that has exclusive authority over this
complex realm. Many of the human activities at sea are, furthermore, directly linked beyond the land-
sea divide, e.g. transport networks and energy infrastructures, and thus governed also by overall
sectoral policies. However, without a transformative change in ocean governance based on better,
multi-disciplinary scientific knowledge and an ecosystem approach to management, it will become
increasingly difficult to ensure the provision of ecosystem services. To ensure that the blue economy is
truly sustainable and just in the long term, with limited impacts on the health and productivity of the
ocean and equitable distribution of benefits, the current frameworks for ocean governance at global,
regional and national scales, and the implementation of ensuing obligations, must be advanced to
effectively deal with the increased use of ocean space and resources as well as emerging challenges.
Coordination among sectoral policies must be strengthened considerably to achieve this and avoid
detrimental impacts and conflicts due to fragmentation of governance.
28
Cluster A: Co-created innovative and knowledge-responsive governance at appropriate geographic

scale
i. Aligning and advancing scientific and regulatory, environmental and local knowledge towards
new opportunities in the blue economy
ii. Identifying trade-offs and synergies and balancing conflicting economic and societal interests
iii. Exploring models of effective, responsive and integrated governance systems for European,
national and local levels
iv. Creating intelligent digital support systems for environmental decision-making, and reduction
of uncertainties for maritime businesses
In recent decades, ocean governance frameworks have evolved from unsophisticated sector-based
regulation and decision making to becoming more integrated and cross-sectoral. The 2008 EU
Integrated Maritime Policy 34 is an example of such progress. However, in light of the complexity of
environmental, social and economic factors that are applicable to effective governance of the marine
space, there is scope for much greater innovation and systemic change in governance systems and
management of marine resources. Analyses of the strengths and weaknesses of current integrative
policy frameworks such as the EU's IMP and MSP would provide an evidence-base for new governance
innovations necessary to strengthen inter-sectoral coordination and integration. The transition to the
climate-neutral, productive, equitable and sustainable blue economy envisioned by the Partnership will
be data-driven and knowledge-based. R&I actions will inform policy making and provide decision-
support tools underpinned by advances in the digital ocean concept in Pillar 1. Activities will explore
and demonstrate more responsive and agile systems of ocean governance, e.g. polycentric governance.
The natural sciences which provide the knowledge base on marine systems and processes complement
aspects of social science and humanities. Pillar 4 will also address emerging challenges tied to a digitally
transformed blue economy leveraging advanced robotics, autonomous systems and real-time access to
a multitude of data, to ensure safe and responsible use of these new capabilities. Advancing ocean
governance that resolves complex trade-offs, balances different interests and maximises synergies will
require progress in stakeholder engagement, ocean literacy, social acceptance, social innovation and
the use of local and tacit knowledge. Intelligent digital support systems and tools will be used to support
decision making. Solutions will also be sought to allow for greater transboundary integration in
governance, especially at sea basin scale.
Cluster B: Operationalisation of the ‘Ecosystem Approach to Management’ in the blue economy

i. Contributing knowledge to achieve coherence in policy implementation, including
transboundary contexts, across sea-basins, between countries, between terrestrial, coastal
and marine/maritime policies, and across sectors
34
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52007DC0575
29
ii. Delivering data and scientific knowledge for coherent area-based management including
Marine Protected Areas, Maritime Spatial Planning and multi-use of marine space
iii. Developing operational assessment frameworks to evaluate the status of the marine
environment and sustainability of human uses
For more than 20 years ecosystem-oriented environmental management has been a common
endeavour. The concept of the EAM, is a widely accepted approach in ocean governance, contained in
EU legislation, such as the WFD, the MSFD and the MSP Directive. As water and seas cross national
borders the differences in how Member States apply and operationalise EAM has impeded its
systematic implementation 35. In the context of this Partnership, the EAM, Integrated Coastal Zone
Management and MSP are fundamental to ensure a sustainable transformation of the blue economy.
To make EAM and MSP operational requires an adaptive and evolving management approach and
involvement of stakeholders, industry and other key actors. R&I actions will target knowledge gaps and
barriers to implementation and operationalisation of EAM in a transboundary context. Central to this
will be a better understanding of interactions between ecological and socioeconomic systems, and
between the legal, management and institutional frameworks through which EAM must be deployed
across Member States. In addition to the generation of new knowledge, successful operationalisation
of the EAM can also use existing knowledge. The Partnership will aim to provide solutions and
demonstrations to enable coastal Member States to successfully implement EAM to their marine space
and resources, through operational assessment frameworks and drawing on a coherent and accessible
base of tools and evidence.
Cluster C: Behavioural, structural and socio-economic analysis in support of social innovation

i. Supporting a just transition of all blue economy sectors
ii. Informing the reform of ocean-related subsidies
iii. Investigating and valuing ecosystem services for strategic and economic decision-making
A fair and just transition of Europe’s blue economy will depend upon finding solutions across all sectors
that achieve sustainability and climate neutrality whilst safeguarding competitiveness and equitable
access to sustainable jobs. Currently, implementation of important EU policies, notably the Common
Fisheries Policy and the MSFD, is hampered by a lack of understanding of the (cumulative) impacts of
human uses on marine ecosystems. As a consequence, the various elements of the MSFD’s GES are
difficult to define which leads to inconsistency of implementation across Member States. R&I supported
by this Partnership will be key to providing clarity and consistency about appropriate indicators, criteria
and implementation of effective measures to support coherent transboundary implementation of the
MSFD. Identification of effective measures to protect or restore the marine environment is equally
uncertain. In addition to contributions from natural sciences to support further development of
objectives for ecosystem quality and sustainable use (Pillar 1) pragmatic solutions are needed based on
35
Langlet, D., & Rayfuse, R. (2018). Challenges in Implementing the Ecosystem Approach: Lessons Learned. In D. Langlet, & R. Rayfuse
(Eds.), The Ecosystem Approach in Ocean Planning and Governance (Publications on Ocean Development; Vol. 87). Brill.
https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004389984_015
30
social sciences and humanities to support the implementation of the policies. Methods and techniques
for ecosystem valuation exist in abundance but are only occasionally implemented in policy decisions.
The impacts of human activity on ecosystem services and their social and economic consequences can
be evaluated with ecosystem valuation and natural capital accounting studies. The outcomes can
highlight the trade-offs between actions that reverse the declining states of marine biodiversity and
ecosystems and potentially competing economic interests 36. These can be accompanied by analyses of
institutional factors that enact the trade-offs as well as analyses of institutional barriers and enablers
for reversing the declining states.
The Partnership will develop knowledge, measures and tools to support a just transition across all blue
economy sectors. It will provide solutions to include ecosystem valuation in marine management
models and decision-making, to promote the harmonization of ecosystem service frameworks, and to
identify and agree a set of indicators for ecosystem services that can be included under existing
monitoring programmes. Actions will also enable a just and inclusive transition to more sustainable
sectoral supports and subsidies, and engender social acceptance of new economic activities (e.g.
aquaculture, renewable energy sites, low-impact fishing) and new circular and bio-based products.
Socioeconomic analyses and transdisciplinary research into policy instruments will ensure that the right
toolbox including social, legal and regulatory, and economic instruments is there to encourage and
motivate different actors to initiate institutional change and market (re)formation. Identification of
science-based safe and sustainable thresholds for economic operations and the social licence to operate
will be prerequisites for new and continuing blue economic activities. Co-creation of knowledge,
participatory, multi-stakeholder and cross-sectoral approaches are essentials for an integrated and
adaptive knowledge-based ocean management. This should underpin the coherent and effective
implementation of ecosystem-based management and of existing policies between different European
countries, regional seas and sectors.
Activities in Pillar 4 will provide the tools, information, platforms and incentives necessary to support
all actors from policy, industry, R&I, and civil society to drive the just and inclusive transition. It will pave
the way for increased ocean literacy in Europe and thereby a more inclusive, transparent and holistic
governance of marine and coastal resources and support the effective implementation of the European
Union’s maritime and marine environmental legislation and policies and contribute to achieving the
Agenda 2030 and European Green Deal targets.
36
Austen M.C., Andersen P., Armstrong C., Döring R., Hynes S., Levrel H., Oinonen S., Ressurreição A. (2019) Valuing Marine Ecosystems
- Taking into account the value of ecosystem benefits in the Blue Economy. Coopman, J., Heymans, JJ., Kellett, P., Muñiz Piniella, A.,
French, V., Alexander, B. [Eds.] Future Science Brief 5 of the European Marine Board, Ostend, Belgium. 32pp. ISBN: 9789492043696
ISSN: 4920-43696 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.2602732
31
Cross-cutting enablers supporting the transition
The key enablers, described in more detail below, have been identified as necessary mechanisms to
support and facilitate Partnership activities and achieve impact across all four thematic pillars. They are
usually much broader than the scope of this Partnership or the blue economy. Partnership activities can
also contribute to developing the quality of the key enablers.
8.1 Digitalisation
Digitalisation will enable actions across all thematic pillars of the Partnership, from providing rapid,
remote and accessible data about the marine environment and maritime activities, to disruptive new
technologies across all sectors. An increasingly digital society results in more consumer choices. Access
to digital tools will be enabled by the Digital Ocean concept and Digital Ocean Twins will advance science
and education, catalyse innovation and enable improved governance. They will also furnish society with
information about our ocean, seas, coasts and have the potential to advance Ocean Literacy leading to
a more informed society with a closer connection to the ocean. These technologies offer opportunities
to reduce the environmental footprint and increase the sustainability and performance of existing and
emerging blue economy sectors. Digitalisation further supports the creation of start-ups, SMEs, and
enables existing enterprises to develop new business models, products and services.
8.2 FAIR data

Access to reliable, quality controlled and harmonized research and monitoring data, across a range of
marine disciplines and human activities is fundamental to the sustainable transformation of the blue
economy. Such data can support innovation, advance our understanding of marine ecosystems, assess
the (cumulative) impacts of human activities, reduce costs and risks for maritime operators, inform
decision making, enable good governance, and increase Ocean Literacy. The EU has strongly promoted
the principle of Open Access and FAIR data, notably through the European Open Science Cloud, and is
a global leader in the provision of marine and maritime data, with EMODnet (the European Marine
Observation and Data network) for in-situ data and Copernicus Marine (CMEMS) for satellite data. The
RRI principles, embedded into the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership, will ensure that data from all
activities correspond to the FAIR principles. These data will contribute to filling temporal, spatial and
thematic data gaps, to develop a common European ocean data space and to implement the European
Ocean Observing System (EOOS). As a key stakeholder in the Partnership, industry will be encouraged
to contribute to the development of EOOS.
8.3 Human capacity

Human capital is a crucial factor to responsibly unlock the potential of the blue economy and create
sustainable and equitable employment opportunities. There is a need to close skills gaps between the
education on offer and the labour market by increasing cooperation between academia and industry.
Building on relevant past and on-going initiatives and transnational cooperation, up-skilling human
32
resources should be linked to the four Pillars of the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership. The
enhancement of human resources can encompass: training, reskilling and up-skilling to take advantage
of opportunities offered by new business models and emerging blue economy sectors; aligning higher-
education curricula, designing transdisciplinary MSc and PhD programmes and short-term mobility
exchanges. This can be complemented by preparing the next generation of blue economy analysts,
technologists and entrepreneurs, connecting them to platforms for e-mentoring, setting up virtual
incubators, and exploiting new digital technologies for training purposes.
8.4 Ocean Literacy

Creating a collective responsibility for marine environments and making the ocean, seas and coasts a
common interest for citizens of Europe and beyond is critical to achieving the objectives of this
Partnership. An ocean literate society contributes to better ocean stewardship, increases the
possibilities for blue innovation and promotes investments in sustainable blue economy enterprises.
Educating and enhancing societal understanding of the importance of ocean health and of the goods
and services the seas and ocean offer to society encourages behavioural change. This leads to more
responsible engagement with marine environments and marine resource consumption, which in turn
further reinforces the transformation to sustainable economic practices. Citizen science and social
innovation are also conducive to ocean literacy, since they increase engagement, heighten awareness
of ecosystem services and human impacts and foster a sense of social responsibility. The Partnership
will commit to enhanced ocean literacy and ocean engagement among European citizens to bridge the
emotional gap between people and the ocean.
8.5 Infrastructures
Through alignment of investments, in-kind contributions and sharing of research infrastructure the
Partnership will also contribute to optimising the use of the costly infrastructure often required for
marine and maritime R&I activities. In that regard the Partnership will complement the new European
Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) Roadmap planned for 2021 and its associated
projects and landmarks across thematic areas. Openness and access to commercial facilities for
education, testing, demonstration or technology transfer will provide science extension services and
contribute to increased public awareness and societal involvement.
8.6 Social Innovation

Social innovation can result in changes of attitude, behaviour or perception, lead to new or improved
ways of collaborative action and develop new institutional structures 37, thereby contributing to
systemic change. It will be key to achieving the ‘win-win solutions’ central to the Partnership’s vision,
i.e. solutions that strengthen economic development while also supporting ecosystem preservation and
37
Soma K., Van den Burg S.W.K., Hoefnagel E.W.J., Stuiver M. and Van der Heide C.M. (2018) Social innovation – A future pathway for
Blue growth? Marine Policy 87: 363-370 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2017.10.008
33
restoration. It can help to identify shared value opportunities amongst different stakeholders and result
in new solutions to environmental problems by providing a local context to global issues. This will be
fundamental to translating over-arching R&I objectives into local solutions and will facilitate
community-led innovation.
8.7 Sustainable financing

Sustainable finance has a key role to play in enabling the transition of the blue economy to
sustainability. By supporting sustainable economic activities it reduces the pressures on the marine
environment and its resources, taking account of social aspects and governance aspects. This will ensure
increased long-term investments in sustainable projects and activities. It will also incentivise key blue
economy actors to undertake the required transition to a climate-neutral, climate-resilient, resource-
efficient and just blue economy. This Partnership will support EU taxonomy compliant blue economy
activities and integrate into its work the sustainable blue economy finance principles. The Partnership
will enable the development of sustainable blue economy projects that are EU taxonomy compliant and
qualify for financing by the European Investment Bank under the Invest EU Programme.
Synergies with other Horizon Europe missions, partnerships and activities
The expected impacts of this Partnership (Section 5) will address Horizon Europe’s area of intervention
‘Seas and Ocean’ which falls under the second pillar ‘Global Challenges and Industrial Competitiveness’.
More specifically, they should contribute to the objective of the Cluster ‘Food and natural resources’ of
“protecting, restoring, sustainably managing and using natural and biological resources from land and
sea to address food and nutrition security and the transition to a low carbon, resource efficient circular
economy”. In addition, the expected impacts of the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership will also be
relevant to the achievement of the objective of the Cluster 'Climate, Energy and Mobility' of “fighting
climate change by better understanding its causes, evolution, risks, impacts and opportunities, and by
making the energy and transport sectors more climate and environment-friendly, more efficient and
competitive, smarter, safer and more resilient” 38.
The Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership will take into consideration the priorities identified in the
strategic planning of Horizon Europe for the period 2021-2024 in cluster 5 and 6 and the work
programmes that will be implemented during this period to avoid overlaps with topics implemented
through regular calls.
38Annexes to the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing Horizon Europe – the Framework
Programme for Research and Innovation, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, COM (2018) 435 final, Brussels,
7.6.2018.
34
The relationship to industry, in particular SMEs, will be crucial to achieving the objectives of the
Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership and advancing innovations to market. To this end, the
Partnership will connect with Horizon Europe’s third Pillar “Innovative Europe”. Of particular relevance
will be the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, but also the European Innovation Council
for providing equity investment to innovative start-ups and SMEs.
9.1 Missions
The EU Missions are an innovative and integral component of Horizon Europe 39 to better relate EU R&I
to society and citizens' needs. They are described as ‘commitments to solve some of the greatest
challenges facing our world’ and include fighting cancer, adapting to climate change, protecting our
oceans, living in greener cities and ensuring soil health and food. It is envisaged that each mission will
operate as a portfolio of actions, such as research projects, policy measures or even legislative
initiatives, to achieve a measurable goal that could not be achieved through individual actions.
The five Missions listed in the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan are: ‘Cancer’, ‘Adaptation to Climate
Change’, ‘Ocean, Seas and Waters’, ‘Climate Neutral and Smart Cities’, and ‘Soil Health and Food’. While
all five missions could relate to the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership, clearly ‘Ocean, Seas and
Waters’ will be the most relevant. At the time of developing the high-level SRIA, missions were still
being implemented. Synergies could therefore not yet be identified. They will be elaborated as more
information becomes available and will be considered in the development of the Partnership work
programmes.
9.2 Partnerships
The Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership is one of 49 candidate partnerships 40 identified in the
strategic planning for Horizon Europe. To avoid duplication of efforts, identify synergy potential and
optimise resources and capacities, the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership initiated dialogues with
each of the partnerships identified during the Partnership proposal development phase as being most
relevant (Figure 4).
These inter-partnership dialogues have focused on identifying areas of common interest and potential
joint actions (summarised in Table 1). Dialogues will continue as the work programmes are being
developed to delimit areas that can be best addressed within specific partnerships. In general where
there is significant potential for overlap, for example with the Rescuing Biodiversity Partnership, this
Partnership will focus more on activities that would be relevant to SMEs and industry (e.g. sensor
development, ICT, impacts of maritime activities). Other partnerships, beyond those in Figure 4 were
identified to be of potential relevance for specific thematic pillars of the SRIA (Table 2 in Appendix 3).
They will also be considered for dialogue, complementarity and collaboration.
39 https://ec.europa.eu/info/horizon-europe/missions-horizon-europe_en
40 https://ec.europa.eu/info/horizon-europe/european-partnerships-horizon-europe_en
35
Figure 4. Complementary scopes of partnerships at the fringes of the Blue Economy Partnership and
opportunities for collaboration across sectors on potential topics of shared interest (in red).
36
Table 1. Overview of discussions with other related partnership candidates highlighting potential
areas of common interest and joint activities.
Partnership Potential areas of common interest Potential modes of interaction
Rescuing Marine protected areas Joint calls
Biodiversity Monitoring Knowledge sharing and synthesis
Nature-based solutions Strategic inter-partnership dialogue
Ocean governance group
Valuing ecosystem services
Clean Energy Blue carbon Ideation
Transition Ocean energy / offshore wind Joint calls
Ports & green energy supply Knowledge sharing
Regulatory issues Workshops
Upscaling
Circular Bio- Advancing TRL levels of biotechnology Joint match-making events
based Europe and bio-based products Knowledge exchange
Blue bioeconomy value chains Workshops
Consumer behaviour /market uptake
Local/ regional solutions
Novel marine biomass
Driving Urban Circularity, waste reduction, smart AGORA stakeholder dialogues
Transitions port cities Identification of challenge driven R&I
Coastal urban areas Impact creation (synthesis, policy
Green/blue spaces research, trainings and success cases)
Governance (coastal areas) International outreach
Resilient coastal communities Knowledge hubs
Social licence to operate Models for replication &
Sustainable (and eco) coastal tourism mainstreaming
Urban living labs (place-based studies)
Clean Energy Blue carbon Ideation
Transition Ocean energy / offshore wind Joint calls
Ports & green energy supply Knowledge sharing
Regulatory issues Workshops
Upscaling
EIT Climate KIC Innovation in port-city nexus (also Stakeholder engagement (systemic
marinas) thinking, workshops and online tools)
Decommissioning offshore platforms Co-design and local solutions
Blue carbon Start-up support
Circularity Human capacity building and training
EIT KIC on To be launched in 2026 To be launched in 2026
water, marine
and maritime
sectors and
ecosystems
37
Food systems The Food Systems Partnership is at an earlier stage of development. Detailed
dialogue will therefore take place later over the course of 2021.
Waterborne Ships emissions: underwater noise & Knowledge exchange and synthesis
ballast waters (invasive species) activities
technological: anti-fouling coating & Consider bi-lateral ToR or MoU
sustainable modernisation of the
fishing fleet
Digital infrastructure: digitalisation of
ships (of opportunity) Safety of
shipping
Analog infrastructure: efficiency in
logistics (trade, fuelling), risks of new
fuels, technologies and infrastructures
Water4All Desalination Demonstrations

Governance International activities
Monitoring, observation and data Joint calls
collection/sharing Young researchers mobility
Nature based solutions
Pollution
Research infrastructures
Sea-level rise
Valuing coastal ecosystem services in
coastal areas
38
Implementation modalities
The Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership should be implemented through a joint programme of
activities for high impact, ranging from R&I to demonstration, coordination and networking activities
connecting existing knowledge, technologies and stakeholders from the whole value chain 41.
To ensure effective and impactful realisation of the Partnership, it will carry out a range of different
activities of three different types:
i. Joint calls for proposals with co-funding from the European Union
ii. Joint activities without co-funding from the European Union:

a. Joint calls (IA/RIAs) for cross-national R&I (applying principles of variable geometry
and fair return);
b. Joint public procurement of knowledge demands;
c. Knowledge Hubs, Synthesis Calls, Policy Labs, or Sandpits to address e.g., knowledge
gaps and policy challenges building also on knowledge outputs from completed
projects and initiatives;
d. Research infrastructure sharing and cooperation e.g., cooperation on collection,
storage and dissemination of surveillance and monitoring data of the marine
environment and ecosystems, for use by industry, academia, public bodies and wider
societal actors;
e. Structured coordination among relevant sea basin programmes, strategies and
initiatives, including relevant macro regional strategies;
f. Instruments aimed at a Technological Readiness Level above 6 where relevant;
g. EU business tools and platforms such as in the Start-up Europe initiative for
stimulating innovation at local and SMEs scale, the European Investment Council
(EIC) and particularly the BlueInvest Platform 42.
iii. Horizontal activities supporting coordination, international cooperation, engagement and

outreach, uptake of results, showcase etc. to significantly increase the impact of the
Partnership
The Partnership will build on the outputs and experience of the Regional Sea’s CSAs and
initiatives. The range of activities envisaged could include, but is not limited to the
following:
41
A detailed portfolio of activities, milestones, concrete outcomes and timeline will be further developed at a later stage in
the Partnership’s preparation process.
42 https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/maritimeforum/en/frontpage/1451
39
a. Capacity development, including mobility and repatriation schemes (e.g. for early-
career researchers and professionals), citizen science initiatives, and programmes for
science-policy, advocacy, ambassadorship and ocean literacy;
b. R&I cooperation models based on quadruple helix to involve university, industry,
government and public actors;
c. Capacity building in the blue sector through academia-industry interaction
(researcher / student / company mobility), continued education schemes, thematic
business-research matchmaker events;
d. Knowledge transfer and exploitation initiatives to fully capitalise on “key exploitable
results” from completed R&I projects associated with the Partnership;
e. Exploitation of the future interregional partnerships resulting from DG REGIO
2021/2027 Interregional Innovation Investment Programme (I3) 43;
f. Initiatives to overcome non-technological barriers to sustainable blue economy
realisation;
g. Living labs as a user-centred format to co-create place-based R&I with local
communities for their real-life challenges;
h. Hackathons and prize competitions to stimulate innovation on specific topics.
43 Outlined in the European Commission (EC) communication ‘Strengthening Innovation in Europe’s regions’ is the reinforcement of
interregional cooperation for innovation between 2021-2027. A new Interregional Innovation Investment (I3) initiative has been proposed
in this context which is aimed at helping actors involved in smart specialisation strategies (S3) to cluster together, scale up and bring
innovation to the European market.
40
Appendices
Appendix 1: Related strategies and initiatives
Related EU and international strategic agendas and policies within the remit of the Sustainable Blue
Economy Partnership will also be considered. These include:
- Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 44
- Farm-to-Fork Strategy 45
- Circular Economy Action Plan 46
- Zero Pollution Action Plan 47
- Blue Bioeconomy Roadmap 48
- Future EU Communication on a new approach for a sustainable blue economy
- Future EU initiative on ocean observations 49
- Strategic Research Agenda for Ocean Energy 50
- Communication for an ‘EU Strategy to harness the potential of offshore renewable energy for
a climate neutral future 51’
- Future Updated Strategic Guidelines for the sustainable development of EU aquaculture 52
- Strategic Research Agenda for Oceans and Human Health (OHH) in Europe 53 from the Seas
Oceans and Public Health in Europe project
- Waterborne Strategic Agenda 54
- Global Ocean Observing System 2030 Strategy (GOOS) 55
- Recommendations by the European Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Platform (EATiP) 56,
and the European Fisheries and Aquaculture Research Organisations (EFARO) 57
Moreover, the Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the
implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive 58 and the International Ocean
44 https://ec.europa.eu/environment/strategy/biodiversity-strategy-2030_en
45 https://ec.europa.eu/food/farm2fork_en
46 https://ec.europa.eu/environment/circular-economy/pdf/new_circular_economy_action_plan.pdf
47 https://ec.europa.eu/environment/strategy/zero-pollution-action-plan_fr
48 https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/maritimeforum/en/node/4448
49 See the Inception Impact Assessment and public consultation on this initiative on ocean observation:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12539-Ocean-Observation
50 https://www.oceanenergy-europe.eu/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/TPOcean-Strategic_Research_Agenda_Nov2016.pdf
51 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2020:741:FIN
52 https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12261-Strategic-Guidelines-for-EU-aquaculture-update
53 https://sophie2020.eu/strategic-research-agenda/
54 https://www.waterborne.eu/images/pdf/190121-waterborne_sra_web_final.pdf
55 https://www.goosocean.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=168:goos-2030-strategy&catid=22&Itemid=207
56 https://eatip.eu/
57 https://efaro.eu/
58 Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament, The first phase of implementation of the Marine Strategy
Framework Directive (2008/56/EC) The European Commission's assessment and guidance, COM/2014/097 final. Available at:
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A52014DC0097
41
Governance 59 work by the European Commission can also provide relevant inputs. Finally, the four
Regional Sea Conventions in Europe (OSPAR, HELCOM, Barcelona Convention/UNEP MAP and the Black
Sea Commission) and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) function as
platforms for collaboration between EU and non-EU member states for sustainable use and protection
of marine ecosystems. They contribute to coherent implementation of the MSFD and will be key
stakeholders of the Partnership.
59 https://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/policy/ocean-governance_en
42
Appendix 2: Elaboration of intervention logic to achieve Partnership objectives
As outlined in Section 4 the general objectives are centred on frameworks, tools, solutions and
integration, as identified in the draft proposal for the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership 60. These
are elaborated below together with further detail on each objective and the accompanying intervention
logic:
1) “Integration” - To promote interlinked approaches and systemic thinking for integrated information
for the blue economy transition
This includes an agenda for co-design and co-production, transfer of both existing and new knowledge,
sharing of resources, infrastructures, expertise and experience across sectors, and collaboration on
cross-domain challenges and solutions between land- and sea-based sectors, between ocean and
climate, and across all water resources.
2) “Solutions” - To stimulate innovation through science-informed solutions

These include solutions for societal demands by stimulating innovation in the blue economy and
unlocking, demonstrating and enabling sustainable harvesting and production and sustainable, circular
and regenerative use of Europe’s ocean and seas’ resources in key sectors such as food and nutrition,
recreation and health, bio-based products, renewable energy, transport, technology, climate mitigation
and adaptation, and others.
3) “Tools” - To offer tools and information to enable climate neutrality and sustainability of blue
economy activities
These include policy guidance, monitoring and scientific information and approaches to achieve Good
Environmental Status, applying the Ecosystem Approach to Management (EAM) and establishing MSP
in all EU waters. These tools will allow forecasting of climate change effects, provide information on the
marine carbon cycle, such as carbon leakage and storage of blue carbon, and early warning for various
risk factors, new skills development, as well as provide expert knowledge and information, and data
access, on smart water management, sustainable aquaculture systems, restoration and other nature-
based methods, and several other aspects at the interface of economy and ecology. Information
Communication and Technology (ICT) tools such as predictive analytics, artificial intelligence big data,
cloud and edge computing, simulations, machine-learning, data visualisation, and digital-twins will
support the underlying methodology.
60
https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/research_and_innovation/funding/documents/ec_rtd_he-partnership-climate-neutral-
sustainable-productive-blue-economy.pdf
43
4) “Frameworks” - To ensure supportive framework conditions for the blue economy to thrive in a
climate-neutral and sustainable way
These include supporting the implementation of relevant EU regulations and policies, EU sea basin
strategies, EU macroregional strategies and the proposed Horizon Europe Mission Areas, in particular
the Mission ‘Ocean, Seas and Waters’, as well as regional and international conventions and global
initiatives. This will contribute to a strengthened ocean governance, but also ethics for the responsible
use of seas and ocean, as well as societal awareness and ocean literacy on the potential and challenges
of the blue economy, sustainable finance, multi-use of seas, and synergies and trade-offs between
interlinked economic sectors and environmental health aspects.
44
Overview of the aims of general objective A ‘Alignment of priorities and investments across Europe’ and
an illustrated summary of the intervention logic based on thematic objectives, inputs, activities and
outputs
We aim for a powerful alignment and structuring among the EU’s, MS's and AC's R&I priorities,
corresponding strategies and initiatives, resource allocations, activities, funding instruments and
programmes in blue economy domains where R&I needs converge across Europe, regional sea basin
areas and international partners.
Figure 5: Schematic illustration of intervention logic for general objective A (taken from the draft
proposal for the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership).
45
Overview of the aims of general objective B ‘Cooperation across socioeconomic sectors and disciplines’
and an illustrated summary of the intervention logic based on thematic objectives, inputs, activities and
outputs
We aim for a pan-European and international R&I cooperation at an unprecedented level of
integration that includes all relevant socioeconomic sectors and cultures from industry to education
and science diplomacy. The community involved is open and growing, inclusive of international
partners, in particular those bordering Europe’s seas and oceans.
Figure 6: Schematic illustration of intervention logic for general objective B (taken from the draft
46
Overview of the aims of general objective C ‘Provision of knowledge for a “green” development of the
blue economy’ and an illustrated summary of the intervention logic based on thematic objectives,
inputs, activities and outputs.
We aim to generate of a strong evidence-base of knowledge, information and know-how to pursue
sound policymaking and foresight capacities to anticipate challenges and new opportunities,
regulatory framework, sustainable and restorative blue economy business opportunities and solution
generation. This will contribute to enhancing and increasing natural capital, and to unlock,
demonstrate and enable sustainable and responsible use of the full socioeconomic potential, within
the boundaries of healthy and resilient ecosystems of seas and ocean.
Figure 7: Schematic illustration of intervention logic for general objective C (taken from the draft
47
Overview of the aims of general objective D, ‘Transformation to an evidence and knowledge based blue
economy’ and an illustrated summary of the intervention logic based on thematic objectives, inputs,
activities and outputs.
We aim to facilitate rapid progress over the next decade towards transitioning to a blue economy that
by mid-century is climate neutral, ecologically sustainable, competitive and productive to improve
ocean’s health and people’s well-being and reduce risks to nature. This will facilitate job and value
creation, as well as biodiversity conservation and restoration. It will also support compliance with legal
and policy requirements under the Integrated Maritime Policy, the MSFD, the WFD and the MSP
Directive and contribute to EU strategic priorities (including the European Green Deal, Digital Europe,
Cohesion Policy, Circular Economy Action Plan, Zero Pollution ambition and the Bioeconomy, Farm to
Fork Strategy and Biodiversity Strategies) and to the UN 2030 Agenda and associated 17 SDGs, and in
particular SDG 14 ‘Life under water’.
Figure 8:
Schematic
illustration of
intervention
logic for general
objective D
(taken from the
draft proposal
for the
Sustainable Blue
Economy
Partnership).
48
Appendix 3 Schematic overview of the elements of the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership SRIA
Table 2. Overview of the four thematic pillars of the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership SRIA, their specific R&I objectives and key enablers,
highlighting also linkages to relevant Horizon Europe activities and other initiatives.
THEMATIC PILLARS
1 2 3 4
A blue economy in Blue economy A thriving blue economy Integrated and
harmony with nature solutions towards for the people responsible ocean
climate neutrality governance
How can the blue economy How can the blue economy How can the blue economy How can knowledge-based,
contribute to the sustainable use, contribute to climate resilience contribute to people’s health, inclusive, integrated and
protection and regeneration of and climate neutrality by 2050? well-being and prosperity in a responsible ocean governance 61
marine ecosystems? sustainable, resilient and support the transformation
equitable way? towards a sustainable blue
economy?
Research and Innovation Objectives

A. Economic development within A. Zero and negative carbon A. Sustainable, accessible and A. Co-created innovative and
environmental boundaries emissions safe food, feed and knowledge-responsive
i. Enabling Good Environmental i. Underpinning innovation to bioproducts governance at appropriate
Status by characterising ocean upscale renewable ocean i. Developing new and geographic scale
health and cumulative impacts energy optimising existing blue i. Aligning and advancing
of blue economy activities scientific and regulatory,
61 The term ocean governance in this document refers to governance at multi-levels
49
from catchment to the deep ii. Fostering the carbon bioeconomy and environmental and local
sea sequestration capacity of biotechnology value chains knowledge towards new
ii. Protecting, monitoring and coastal and marine ii. Reducing and valorising opportunities in the blue
restoring ecosystem resilience environments (‘blue carbon’) waste, promoting circularity economy
and marine biodiversity and preventing carbon and ensuring safe, healthy, ii. Identifying trade-offs and
considering also nature-based seepage to the atmosphere affordable and traceable synergies and balancing
solutions products conflicting economic and
iii. Understanding and B. Purpose-driven technological iii. Innovating sustainable societal interests
quantifying the ecosystem innovations transforming blue seafood production systems, iii. Exploring models of
responses to effects of natural economy sectors to climate including offshore, closed, effective, responsive and
and economic processes that neutrality low- and multi-trophic integrated governance
differentiate basin systems i. Developing sustainable and aquaculture and low impact systems for European,
from each-other cost-efficient solutions for sustainable fisheries national and local levels
construction, maintenance, iv. Creating intelligent digital
B. Reduction of pollution and reuse and multi-use of off- B. Resilient, sustainable and safe support systems for
other forms of disturbance of shore platforms coastal communities environmental decision-
the marine ecosystem. ii. Designing green and smart i. Fostering innovation, making, and reduction of
i. Providing innovative ports, marinas and transport circularity and job creation uncertainties for maritime
technological, circular and links in coastal communities businesses
nature-based solutions for iii. Enabling novel materials and through a fair, just and
prevention and remediation of technologies for sustainable inclusive transition B. Operationalisation of the
ecosystem disturbance and manufacturing and product ii. Exploring economic ‘Ecosystem Approach to
pollution including life cycle management opportunities of innovative Management’ in the Blue
eutrophication, hazardous iv. Contributing to innovative and sustainable concepts for Economy
substances, litter and and sustainable concepts for marine and coastal tourism i. Contributing knowledge to
underwater noise ships and recreational sectors achieve coherence in policy
ii. Designing economic practices boating iii. Reducing disaster risk for implementation, including
that reconcile the coastal communities and transboundary contexts,
conservation and restoration C. Climate resilience of coastal sectors through across sea-basins, between
of habitats with their socioeconomic and marine strengthened resilience and countries, between
sustainable use ecological systems preparedness to climatic, terrestrial, coastal and
50
iii. Scientifically underpinning i. Developing nature-based geological and marine/maritime policies,
criteria for the responsible use solutions to improve anthropogenic hazards and across sectors
of non-living marine resources responsiveness to natural ii. Delivering data and
(e.g. sand, gravel, minerals), disasters, increase natural C. Equitable health and well- scientific knowledge for
including from the deep sea capital and restore being coherent area-based
ecosystems i. Investigating the benefits of management including
C. Sustained observation, ii. Quantifying at regional- blue spaces in enhancing Marine Protected Areas,
monitoring and digitalisation of scale, and across basins, the human health Maritime Spatial Planning
seas and oceans impacts of climate change ii. Reducing human health risks and multi-use of marine
i. Advancing the Digital Ocean (acidification, sea-level rise, from marine borne space
concept and developing digital deoxygenation, ocean pathogens, toxins and iii. Developing operational
twins for the comprehension warmings and other toxicants assessment frameworks to
of marine ecosystems stressors) to strengthen iii. Using biodiscovery to evaluate the status of the
ii. Achieving more effective and ocean and coastal resilience develop applications for marine environment and
biologically relevant human-health and well- sustainability of human uses
monitoring, surveying and being
sampling C. Behavioural and structural
D. A safe marine environment socio-economic analysis in
and blue economy support of social innovation
i. Realising safe and cost- and social licence to operate
effective offshore operations for the blue economy
ii. Advancing technologies for i. Supporting a just transition
autonomous processes and of all blue economy sectors
navigation ii. Informing the reform of
iii. Advancing strategies to ocean-related subsidies
minimise risk from novel iii. Investigating and valuing
maritime technologies ecosystem services for
iv. Contributing to efficient strategic and economic
maritime surveillance decision-making
51
Key Enablers
Digitalisation
FAIR data
Infrastructures
Ocean literacy
Social innovation
Sustainable finance
Human capacity
Links to EU policy/ legislation

- EU Green Deal - EU Green Deal - EU Green Deal - International Ocean
- Shaping Europe’s Digital Future - Shaping Europe’s Digital Future - Shaping Europe’s Digital Future Governance Agenda
- EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 - Strategy for Sustainable and - Farm to Fork Strategy - EU Green Deal
- Farm to Fork Strategy Smart Mobility - Common Fisheries Policy - Shaping Europe’s Digital
- EU Chemicals Strategy for - Offshore Renewable Energy - Birds and Habitats Directives Future
Sustainability Strategy - EU Bioeconomy Strategy - European Strategy for Data
- Zero Pollution Action Plan for - EU Climate Law - EU Biodiversity Strategy for - Regulation on European data
Air, Water and Soil - EU Adaptation Strategy 2030 governance (Data Governance
- The EU Strategy for Plastics and - Marine Strategy Framework - European Agenda for Tourism Act)
the Circular Economy Action Plan Directive 2050 - Space regulation
- Single-Use Plastics Directive - Birds and Habitats Directives - Marine Strategy Framework - European Education Area
- Birds and Habitats Directives - Maritime Spatial Planning Directive - Maritime Spatial Planning
- Marine Strategy Framework Directive - Maritime Spatial Planning Directive
Directive - Recommendation on Directive - Recommendation on
- Maritime Spatial Planning Integrated Coastal Zone - Recommendation on Integrated Coastal Zone
Directive Management Integrated Coastal Zone Management,
- Common Fisheries Policy - EU Biodiversity Strategy for Management, - Marine Strategy Framework
- Water Framework Directive and 2030 Directive
related directives - Farm to Fork Strategy - Widening 2.0 strategy
52
- Common Agricultural Policy - Common Fisheries Policy - Mapping and Assessment of - Common Fisheries Policy
- Recommendation on Integrated - Widening 2.0 strategy Ecosystem Services and - Water Framework Directive
Coastal Zone Management Natural Capital Accounting and related directives
- Widening 2.0 strategy - Widening 2.0 strategy - EU Cohesion Policy
- Port Reception Facilities - Sustainable finance taxonomy
Directive – Regulation (EU) 2020/852
Links to other partnerships/initiatives

- Rescuing Biodiversity - Zero Emission Waterborne - Animal Health Partnership - EIT Digital-KIC
Partnership Transport Partnership - Safe and Sustainable Food - Open Science Cloud
- Water4All Partnership - Clean Energy Transition System Partnership Partnership
- European Partnership for Partnership - European Partnership for a - Rescuing Biodiversity
Chemicals Risk Assessment - EIT Climate-KIC Circular bio-based Europe Partnership
- EIT Raw materials-KIC - European Partnership - EIT Health-KIC - Water4all Partnership
Innovative SMEs - EIT Food-KIC
- Hydrogen Partnership - European Partnership
- Water4All Partnership Innovative SMEs
Links to the future Horizon Europe Missions 62

Ocean, Seas and Waters Ocean, Seas and Waters Ocean, Seas and Waters Ocean, Seas and Waters
Adaptation to Climate Change Adaptation to Climate Change Adaptation to Climate Change Adaptation to Climate Change
Soil Health and Food Climate Neutral and Smart Cities Cancer Climate Neutral and Smart Cities
Climate Neutral and Smart Cities Soil Health and Food
Soil Health and Food
62
Official Mission names in the Horizon Europe strategic Plan
53
Links to funding streams
Possible funding streams (non-exhaustive list):
- Horizon Europe - European Regional Development Fund

- European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund - Cohesion Fund
- BlueInvest Fund - INTERREG
- Relevant ERA-NET CoFunds (e.g. BlueBio) - Interregional Innovation Investment initiative
- InvestEU - Just Transition Fund
- LIFE Programme - National funds
- NextGenerationEU and RRF - Private investments
The Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership will only cover EU Taxonomy-aligned activities 63
63 https://ec.europa.eu/info/business-economy-euro/banking-and-finance/sustainable-finance/eu-taxonomy-sustainable-activities_en
54
Appendix 4 List of abbreviations and acronyms
AANChOR All Atlantic Cooperation for Ocean Research and Innovation

AORA CSA Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance Coordination and Support Action
BANOS Baltic and the North Sea
BANOS CSA The Baltic and North Sea Coordination and Support Action
BLUEMED Research and Innovation Initiative for blue jobs and growth in the
Mediterranean Sea
CMEMS Copernicus Marine Environmental Monitoring Service
COPERNICUS European Union's Earth Observation programme
COVID 19 Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019
CSA Coordination and support actions
DG RTD Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
EAM Ecosystem Approach to Management
EATiP European Aquaculture Technology & Innovation Platform
EC European Commission
EIC European Investment Council
EIT European Institute for Innovation and Technology
EMODnet European Marine Observation and Data Network
EOOS European Ocean Observing System
ERA European Research Area
ERA-NET European Research Area Net
ESFRI European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures
EU European Union
FAIR Data Findable Accessible Interoperable Reusable Data
GES Good Environmental Status
GOOS Global Ocean Observing System
GEOSS Global Earth Observation System of Systems
HELCOM Helsinki Commission - Baltic Marine Environment Protection
Commission
IA Innovation Action
ICES International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
ICT Information and Communications Technology
IMP Integrated Maritime Policy
IOC-UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO
JPI Joint Programming Initiative
JPI Oceans Joint Programming Initiative Healthy and Productive Seas and Oceans
KIC Knowledge and Innovation Community
KPI Key Performance Indicator
MarTERA Maritime and Marine Technologies for a new ERA
MPA Marine Protected Areas
MSFD Marine Strategy Framework Directive
MS Member States
55
MSP Maritime Spatial Planning
ODT Ocean Digital Twins
OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
OSPAR Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic
RSC Regional Sea Conventions
R&I Research and Innovation
RRI Responsible Research and Innovation
SDG Sustainable Development Goal
SME Small and Medium-sized Enterprise
SOPHIE Seas, Oceans & Public Health in Europe
SRIA Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda
TRL Technology Readiness Level
UN United Nations
UNEP MAP United Nations Environment Programme Mediterranean Action Plan
UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
WFD Water Framework Directive
///
56

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skill

**Thorsten Kiefer, Oonagh McMeel, Willem De Moor (all JPI Oceans

Suggested reference: Horizon Europe candidate partnership. A climate

Rationale for the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership

development. Environmental Development 22: 150-155 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envdev.2016.10.003

economy. Marine Policy 125, 104387 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2020.104387

stewardship. Sci Data 3, 160018. https://doi.org/10.1038/sdata.2016.18

A. Alignment of priorities and investments across Europe

B. Cooperation across socioeconomic sectors and scientific disciplines

C. Provision of knowledge for a sustainable development of the blue economy

D. Transformation to a more digital knowledge-based climate-neutral and sustainable blue

Intervention logic to achieve the general objectives

Impact for Sustainability: Environment

Impact for Sustainability: Society

What success looks like by 2030:

Thematic pillars and scope

1. A blue economy in harmony with nature

Figure 2. Thematic pillar structure and underpinning key enablers.

Research and Innovation Objectives

Fundamental principles of this Partnership

7.1 Pillar 1. A blue economy in harmony with nature

7.1.1 Why this area is important?

7.1.2 Research and innovation objectives

Cluster A: Economic development within environmental boundaries

For an effective management of human activities based on an ecosystem approach, an adequate

Cluster C: Sustained observation, monitoring and digitalisation of seas and oceans

7.1.3 Expected results

7.2.2 Research and innovation objectives

Cluster A: Zero and negative carbon emissions

Cluster B: Purpose-driven technological innovations transforming blue economy sectors to climate

Cluster C: Climate resilience of coastal socioeconomic and marine ecological systems

7.2.3 Expected results

7.3 Pillar 3. A thriving blue economy for the people

Cluster A: Sustainable, accessible and safe food, feed and bioproducts

Cluster C: Equitable health and well-being

Cluster D: A safe marine environment and blue economy

7.3.3 Expected results

7.4 Pillar 4. Integrated and responsible ocean governance

7.4.1 Why this area is important

Cluster A: Co-created innovative and knowledge-responsive governance at appropriate geographic

Cluster B: Operationalisation of the ‘Ecosystem Approach to Management’ in the blue economy

Cluster C: Behavioural, structural and socio-economic analysis in support of social innovation

7.4.3 Expected results

8.2 FAIR data

8.3 Human capacity

8.4 Ocean Literacy

8.6 Social Innovation

8.7 Sustainable financing

Synergies with other Horizon Europe missions, partnerships and activities

Water4All Desalination Demonstrations

ii. Joint activities without co-funding from the European Union:

iii. Horizontal activities supporting coordination, international cooperation, engagement and

Appendix 1: Related strategies and initiatives

2) “Solutions” - To stimulate innovation through science-informed solutions

Research and Innovation Objectives

61 The term ocean governance in this document refers to governance at multi-levels

Links to EU policy/ legislation

Links to other partnerships/initiatives