Jun 10, 2026
Building a Regenerative Blue Economy
The World Economic Forum released its Regenerative Blue Economy: Pathways to Prosperity report today, June 8, 2026. The report focuses on the pressures that marine ecosystems continue to face due to the warming ocean, pollution, and overuse. This status quo undermines the well-being of global economies and the well-being of communities dependent on marine resources. It seeks to build a new reality; a Regenerative Blue Economy.
Dr. Rashid Sumaila (Profile), University Killam Professor in UBC’s Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries and the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, was co-Chair of the Global Future Council for a Regenerative Blue Economy, with fellow co-Chair Helle Herk-Hansen, as well as a contributing author alongside an internationally diverse group of leading experts from the private and public sectors, civil society, and academia.
“This is a vitally important document that could guide us as we work to build a stronger, more cohesive Blue Economy,” said Dr. Sumaila. “Regeneration cannot happen in isolation; getting these levers, these actions, to work together could drive change across industries and places”.
The report looked at four interdependent areas and indicated that their interactions could assist in delivering on the ambition of a regenerative rather than just a sustainable blue economy:
- Governance: Integrated ocean governance could help align policies across sectors, manage trade-offs, and address the combined impacts of different ocean use, leading to more coherent planning and better long-term outcomes;
- Finance: Redirecting finance through public investment and innovative commercial instruments would shift incentives away from extractive activities towards regenerative outcomes, while ensuring coastal and Indigenous communities have equitable access to capital;
- Human capacity: Strengthening human capacity could ensure that local actors have the skills and resources to design and deliver solutions, turning policy into effective action on the ground; and
- Technology and AI: Advances in technology and artificial intelligence can improve ocean monitoring, risk management and coordination, making it easier and more affordable to track progress and support better decisions.