Aspects of blue economy in the Baltic Sea region

Abstract

<p>Each sea basin has its specific features related to Blue Economy. This policy brief reflects the concept of<br>blue economy and its evolvement in the EU policies, and the specifics and relevance of blue economy in<br>the Baltic Sea region. Recent developments in blue economy policies are described with future prospects<br>of the main sectors: marine energy, maritime cluster, blue bioeconomy and maritime tourism. Blue<br>economy is integrated more deeply into policies to reduce emissions and decarbonization, most notably<br>aligned with the aims of EU’s Green Deal. Cross-sectoral cooperation is essential for development of blue<br>economy and Maritime Spatial Planning is an enabler towards sustainable blue economy and synergy<br>between the blue economy sectors. Case studies on blue economy, recent and ongoing projects with<br>blue economy topics, and drivers for future development will be presented as well as recommendations<br>based on these projects.<br></p>