Focus panel 12 – The “Blue Doughnut”: A framework for a wellbeing ocean economy beyond growth

Summary

The ocean, covering over 70% of the earth, is the world's largest habitat for wildlife and biodiversity. It’s also our most important carbon sink and essential for the planetary biogeochemical cycles that provide us with the air we breathe and the water we drink. However, while the land-based economy hits its growth limits, the “Blue economy” is heralded as a way to tap into additional profits. With ongoing overfishing, the boom of offshore renewables, shipping being projected to multiply over the next decades, and the imminent threat of deep-sea mining, we can observe a dangerous “blue gold rush” moment, to the detriment of both planetary and societal boundaries. It's time to reframe the “blue economy”, before it’s too late. Drawing on the concept of Doughnut Economics, the “Blue Doughnut” is built on a social foundation, to reverse growing inequalities and prevent people from being left behind, and to ensure that humanity does not collectively overshoot the planetary boundaries. Between the social foundation and the ecological ceiling lies a doughnut shaped space that is both ecologically safe and socially just: a space in which humanity, and our planet, can thrive. The panel will discuss the Blue Doughnut concept as an alternative framing for the blue economy, and test its application on fisheries, shipping and in relation to the European Unions “sustainable blue economy” policy.

Chair

• Dino Giarrusso - MEP (NI), Beyond Growth Conference organiser

Speakers

• Monica Verbeek - Executive director, Seas At Risk
• Kate Raworth - Senior Associate, Oxford University
• Ingrid Kelling - Founder and Director of the Global Centre for Social Sustainability in Seafood Supply Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh
• Christiaan De Beukelaer - University of Melbourne
• Hans Bruynickx - Executive director, European Environment Agency
• Christos Economou – Deputy Director for Sea-basin Strategies, Maritime Regional Cooperation and Maritime Security, DG MARE, European Commission