Enabling conditions for an equitable and sustainable blue economy
Data files
Jun 01, 2021 version files 52.98 MB
Abstract
The future of the global ocean economy is currently envisioned as an advancement towards a ‘Blue Economy’—socially equitable, environmentally sustainable, and economically viable ocean industries. However, there are current tensions between development discourses from perspectives of natural capital versus social equity and environmental justice. Here we show there are stark differences in Blue Economy outlooks when social conditions and governance capacity beyond resource availability are considered, and highlight limits to establishing multiple overlapping industries. The key differences in regional capacities to achieve a Blue Economy are not due to available natural resources, but include factors such as national stability, corruption, and infrastructure, that can be improved through targeted investments and cross-scale cooperation. Knowledge gaps can be addressed by integrating historical natural and social science information on the drivers and outcomes of resource use and management, thus identifying equitable pathways to establishing or transforming ocean sectors. Policy-makers must engage researchers and stakeholders to promote evidence-based, collaborative planning that ensures that sectors are chosen carefully, local benefits are prioritized, and the Blue Economy delivers on its social, environmental, and economic goals.
Methods
This dataset presents all results necessary to reproduce the figures and analysis in the corresponding peer-reviewed article. All input data are also included, but any use must give credit to their original authors and sources; we strongly urge users to personally contact corresponding authors. These are specifically noted in the Supplementary Information 3 file of our peer-reviewed article, and include:
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Usage notes
These data are results of an analysis at the global and regional level for an academic paper, and should not be used for other geographic scales or purposes. Assumptions, indicators, data sources, and weighting of indicators must be specifically discussed and selected in context for results to be meaningful. Please contact the corresponding author (a.cisneros@oceans.ubc.ca) if you have any questions.