Today, the OECD released ‘The Ocean Economy in 2030’. The report explores the growth prospects for the ocean economy, its capacity for future employment and innovation, and its role in addressing global challenges. Special attention is devoted to the emerging ocean-based industries.
The report stresses that unsustainable use of the ocean resources threatens the welfare and prosperity of humankind. The great economic potential of the ocean economy can only be achieved through responsible and sustainable economic development. The global ocean economy, measured in terms of the ocean-based industry output and employment, is estimated at approximately 2.5% of world gross value added (GVA), with a full direct employment amounting to 31 million jobs in 2010. Looking to 2030, many ocean-based industries have the potential to outperform this. Projections show that in 2030 ocean industries can be supporting 40 million full-time jobs in the business-as-usual scenario. Such rapid growth will require strong governance and regulations.
The report recommends:
- Fostering international cooperation in maritime science and technology, stimulating innovation and strengthening sustainable economic development;
- Strengthening integrated ocean management;
- Improving statistics and methodology base, at both national and international levels, for measuring the scale and performance of ocean-based industries;
- Building capacity for ocean industry foresight.
The report is based on a three-year project and included an extensive horizon-scanning and scoping exercise.
View the report and its individual chapters here
