Ocean Panel’s New Blue Paper

The Future of the Workforce in a Sustainable Ocean Economy

The Blue Paper, The Future of the Workforce in a Sustainable Ocean Economy, commissioned by the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel) provides a glimpse of what a sustainable ocean economy may look like for people over the next 25 years. It draws from the best available data and literature, and in-depth expert consultation, to examine the future of employment within a range of ocean sectors.

The paper provides advice on how different stakeholders can work towards the vision of a sustainable ocean economy. But to achieve this potential, a just transition that incorporates inclusion and fairness is essential. The authors identify the critical challenges that need to be surmounted, including addressing data limitations, skills gaps, insufficient training and educational resources (especially in developing nations), regional disparities in infrastructure, and inadequate funding and institutional capacity.