Location
Please select your investor type by clicking on a box:
We are unable to market if your country is not listed.
You may only access the public pages of our website.
A sustainable future: making waves for a blue economy
We look at the work of the Blue Marine Foundation, the importance of raising awareness around ocean conservation, and the role of investors in financing the blue economy.
We all know that the ocean matters, but not many of us realise its importance in relation to our daily lives. Equally, we all know that our oceans are in danger, but few of us are aware of the finer details.
The UN recently gave five reasons why we should care about our oceans1:
- Oceans regulate our climate and provide the air we breathe: our oceans mitigate non-renewable industry pollution by absorbing 25% of all carbon emission, while generating 50% of oxygen needed to survive. They function as the lungs of the planet, but also as the world’s largest carbon sinks, helping to combat the negative impacts of climate change.
- The oceans feed us: oceans and their biodiversity provide our global community with 15% of the animal protein we eat. In the least developed countries, seafood is the primary source of protein to over 50% of the population. It is therefore critical to protect oceans’ biodiversity and to practice sustainable fishing strategies for continued consumption.
- A provider of jobs: oceans provide livelihoods to 3 billion people, nearly 50% of the global population. Marine fisheries provide 57 million jobs globally. The blue economy2 allows many to make their living and provide for their families, however 60% of the world’s major marine ecosystems that underpin these livelihoods are being used unsustainably.
- An economic development tool: ocean economies are among the most rapidly growing globally. The market value of marine and coastal resources and the developing industry is estimated by UNDP to be USD3 trillion per year (~5% of total global GDP). Developing countries’ access to oceans increases FDI, while 80% of tourism happens in coastal areas.
- We need healthy oceans to survive: oceans affects us all in positive ways, for those living in the desert as much as on the coastline. They provide climate regulation, food, jobs, livelihoods, and economic progress. Thus, we must work together to protect and save the oceans for the sake of our future survival on this planet.
It has become more apparent over time that not only is safeguarding our marine world important from an environmental perspective, but as with climate, loss of nature and biodiversity represent a systematic risk for economies.
Blue Marine Foundation (“Blue Marine”), one of our corporate charity partners, works around the world, addressing overfishing and the destruction of biodiversity. The work of Blue Marine plays a vital role in the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems.
If we do not actively protect the ocean and manage the exploitation of its resources, the cost in economic, social and environmental terms will be immense. However, a global deficit in marine education has prevented knowledge about the crisis and possible solutions from reaching the general public, which in turn slows uptake into environmental policy. Education, therefore, serves both the ecosystems we strive to protect and the young people whose future depends on them.
Blue Marine is working to bridge this gap through innovative educational materials, community engagement, capacity building, connecting with schools and enhancing career opportunities for young adults.
The role of investors in financing the blue economy is also key. While governments are stepping up efforts to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss, there are limits to what they can do, given the scale of the challenges faced. Closing the funding gap requires the private sector and financial market participants to play a role.
There remains much to do over the coming years, however we are optimistic of progress, as stakeholders come together to make waves for the blue economy.
How can the financial sector provide capital for the blue economy? Download our piece here to find out.
1 5 reasons you should care about our ocean | United Nations.
2 The World Bank defines the ‘blue economy’ as the “sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, and ocean ecosystem health.”
Sign up for insights by email
Subscribe now to receive the latest investment and economic insights from our experts, sent straight to your inbox.
This document is a marketing communication and it may be produced and issued by the following entities: in the European Economic Area (EEA), by BlueBay Funds Management Company S.A. (BBFM S.A.), which is regulated by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF). In Germany, Italy, Spain and Netherlands the BBFM S.A is operating under a branch passport pursuant to the Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities Directive (2009/65/EC) and the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (2011/61/EU). In the United Kingdom (UK) by RBC Global Asset Management (UK) Limited (RBC GAM UK), which is authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and a member of the National Futures Association (NFA) as authorised by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). In Switzerland, by BlueBay Asset Management AG where the Representative and Paying Agent is BNP Paribas Securities Services, Paris, succursale de Zurich, Selnaustrasse 16, 8002 Zurich, Switzerland. The place of performance is at the registered office of the Representative. The courts at the registered office of the Swiss representative or at the registered office or place of residence of the investor shall have jurisdiction pertaining to claims in connection with the offering and/or advertising of shares in Switzerland. The Prospectus, the Key Investor Information Documents (KIIDs), the Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products - Key Information Documents (PRIIPs KID), where applicable, the Articles of Incorporation and any other document required, such as the Annual and Semi-Annual Reports, may be obtained free of charge from the Representative in Switzerland. In Japan, by BlueBay Asset Management International Limited which is registered with the Kanto Local Finance Bureau of Ministry of Finance, Japan. In Asia, by RBC Global Asset Management (Asia) Limited, which is registered with the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) in Hong Kong. In Australia, RBC GAM UK is exempt from the requirement to hold an Australian financial services license under the Corporations Act in respect of financial services as it is regulated by the FCA under the laws of the UK which differ from Australian laws. In Canada, by RBC Global Asset Management Inc. (including PH&N Institutional) which is regulated by each provincial and territorial securities commission with which it is registered. RBC GAM UK is not registered under securities laws and is relying on the international dealer exemption under applicable provincial securities legislation, which permits RBC GAM UK to carry out certain specified dealer activities for those Canadian residents that qualify as "a Canadian permitted client”, as such term is defined under applicable securities legislation. In the United States, by RBC Global Asset Management (U.S.) Inc. ("RBC GAM-US"), an SEC registered investment adviser. The entities noted above are collectively referred to as “RBC BlueBay” within this document. The registrations and memberships noted should not be interpreted as an endorsement or approval of RBC BlueBay by the respective licensing or registering authorities. Not all products, services or investments described herein are available in all jurisdictions and some are available on a limited basis only, due to local regulatory and legal requirements.
This document is intended only for “Professional Clients” and “Eligible Counterparties” (as defined by the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (“MiFID”) or the FCA); or in Switzerland for “Qualified Investors”, as defined in Article 10 of the Swiss Collective Investment Schemes Act and its implementing ordinance, or in the US by “Accredited Investors” (as defined in the Securities Act of 1933) or “Qualified Purchasers” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940) as applicable and should not be relied upon by any other category of customer.
Unless otherwise stated, all data has been sourced by RBC BlueBay. To the best of RBC BlueBay’s knowledge and belief this document is true and accurate at the date hereof. RBC BlueBay makes no express or implied warranties or representations with respect to the information contained in this document and hereby expressly disclaim all warranties of accuracy, completeness or fitness for a particular purpose. Opinions and estimates constitute our judgment and are subject to change without notice. RBC BlueBay does not provide investment or other advice and nothing in this document constitutes any advice, nor should be interpreted as such. This document does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase any security or investment product in any jurisdiction and is for information purposes only.
No part of this document may be reproduced, redistributed or passed on, directly or indirectly, to any other person or published, in whole or in part, for any purpose in any manner without the prior written permission of RBC BlueBay. Copyright 2023 © RBC BlueBay. RBC Global Asset Management (RBC GAM) is the asset management division of Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) which includes RBC Global Asset Management (U.S.) Inc. (RBC GAM-US), RBC Global Asset Management Inc., RBC Global Asset Management (UK) Limited and RBC Global Asset Management (Asia) Limited, which are separate, but affiliated corporate entities. ® / Registered trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada and BlueBay Asset Management (Services) Ltd. Used under licence. BlueBay Funds Management Company S.A., registered office 4, Boulevard Royal L-2449 Luxembourg, company registered in Luxembourg number B88445. RBC Global Asset Management (UK) Limited, registered office 100 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AA, registered in England and Wales number 03647343. All rights reserved.
Sign up for insights by email
Subscribe now to receive the latest investment and economic insights from our experts, sent straight to your inbox.