In 2019, the European Union adopted the European Green Deal which calls for a fundamental change of our economic models by demanding (greater) resource efficiency in the future and a drastic reduction of net greenhouse gas emissions to eventually achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The importance attributed to the ocean and maritime economy in the whole process towards a climate neutral continent is twofold: on the one hand, the blue sectors as a whole contribute significantly to the economies of many states; and on the other hand, the commission referred to the oceans as a key regulator of the planet’s climate and therefore a sustainable blue economy plays a crucial role in addressing the negative effects of climate change and reducing pressures on land resources.
To fully integrate the blue economy into the European Green Deal, the commission adopted in 2021 a communication on sustainable blue economy presenting an agenda for greening the blue economy and calling on blue sectors to contribute to the European Green Deal by advancing decarbonisation, promoting a more responsible use of natural resources or implementing circular economy models.
The sustainable blue economy consists of numerous sectors and each has its own characteristics. Therefore, the aim of the module ‘Legal and governance aspects of the sustainable blue economy of the European Union’ is to improve the knowledge of the current regulatory frameworks, legislative proposals and governance aspects of the blue sectors and to analyse the legal challenges for the future.
The main teaching activity is a 40-hour course with university professors and lecturers from public administration and industry, in which the respective blue sectors are studied. In addition, public lectures will be organised on topical issues such as the role of seaports, maritime renewable energies and sustainable fisheries, as well as information sessions aimed at young students.
Together, the three activities provide a better understanding of European policy towards the ocean economy, and foster dialogue and knowledge exchange between students, academics and professionals from both public administration and industry.