The OECD's latest report, “The Blue Economy in Cities and Regions” reveals that climate-related factors are the most significant threat to the blue economy at subnational level.  

Based on an OECD global survey, the report highlights key concerns by respondents such as: sea-level rise (54%); floods (41%); coastal erosion (35%); and drought (28%).  

Note: Based on 81 responses to the question: “What are the three most significant climate-related threats to blue economy activities in your city/region?”. Survey respondents select “yes” or “no”. 

The blue economy is a major driver of local development, providing millions of jobs in water-dependent sectors such as fisheries, port activities and coastal tourism. In California alone, 1-in-9 jobs is linked to port-related activities. 

Aziza Akhmouch, Head of Cities at the OECD, stressed the underexplored potential of cities and regions in the blue economy at the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona (Spain). She emphasised that, “while cities and regions contribute to 69% of significant climate-related public investment in OECD countries, the survey shows less than 10% of respondents have a subnational blue-economy strategy”. 

The primary barrier hindering effective blue economy policies is the lack of financial resources (83%), followed by insufficient data collection and sharing, along with fragmented roles and responsibilities in policymaking (both at 69%).  

To address these challenges, the OECD Report assists cities and regions and their blue economies to be more resilient, inclusive, sustainable and circular — a strategy dubbed “RISC-proof”. 

Find out more in the report: www.oecd-ilibrary.org/urban-rural-and-regional-development/the-blue-economy-in-cities-and-regions_bd929b7d-en.