A conceptual framework for a post-COVID-19 green recovery of the Blue Economy

Coastal regions and their Blue Economy, encompassing coastal and ocean-based activities such as fishing, shipping or tourism, are challenged by the socioeconomic impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic and by global environmental change. Several governmental and institutional sources have noted that the post-pandemic recovery phase could be an opportunity to address environmental concerns, such as climate change and biodiversity loss, hence the expression “green recovery” emerged. However, to date only a vague understanding of green recovery and what this entails exists. In this paper we argue that a clear definition and a robust conceptual understanding of what green recovery represents is needed to inform policy-making on ways to build back better and to reduce future risks. We conducted a systematic literature review and i) documented impacts, response measures and recovery strategies of Blue Economy sectors, ii) analyzed green recovery in the Blue Economy context, and iii) developed a conceptual green recovery framework to inform policy-making. We found that, while impacts of COVID-19 on specific Blue Economy sectors were well documented in the literature, implemented response measures and recovery strategies, as well as related matters such as scale of implementation and financing, were less frequently addressed. Further, although it was possible to extract statements on recovery that correspond to green recovery elements identified through this research, post-pandemic green recovery of the Blue Economy was rarely discussed. To address this gap and to inform policy on how green recovery could be designed in the Blue Economy context, we developed a framework which builds on four components: climate action and the three dimensions of sustainability (i.e., environmental, social and economic). A holistic approach such as this is needed to ensure that green recovery achieves multiple goals such as increased resilience, climate neutrality and biodiversity protection. • Green recovery is relevant to all economic activities including the Blue Economy. • Green recovery can facilitate long-term transformative and inclusive change. • To inform policy-making, a conceptual understanding of green recovery is required. • Green recovery should consider social, economic, environmental and climate elements. • Inclusion, governance and biodiversity protection are essential requirements.