Blue Economy Scoping Studies

Under the Blue Economy for Green Islands approach, UNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean is leveraging connections and alliances with regional governments, Development partners, IFIs and academia to accelerate sustainable development, promote economic diversification, job creation and resilience.

Our work in the Blue Economy (BE) space is predicated on a human-rights-based approach and focuses on supporting plans, policies, programmes, interventions and actions that promote sustainable development through the sustainable use and management of ocean resources across the interlinked sectors of tourism, biodiversity conservation, fisheries, marine transport, renewable energy and waste management.

Learn more about this mini-documentary: The Barbadian Matriarchy of Fishing

    The increasing potential of the Blue Economy in Barbados as a sustainable approach to diversify the economy and create jobs is one of the key messages highlighted by the recent rapid Blue Economy Scoping Study elaborated by UNDP under the leadership of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Blue Economy and in consultation with key stakeholders. The document will serve to stir discussions around relevant policies and long-term strategies.

    This research is part of the support that UNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Multi-Country Office is providing to governments in the region with the objective of promoting resilience and accelerating the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals in the Caribbean. Under the motto of "Blue Economy for Green Islands” UNDP is providing technical and financial assistance to strengthen businesses, create jobs and improve lives. The impact of the COVID-19 crisis has emphasised the importance of this work and the Blue Economy is at the core of UNDP’s COVID-19 Response Programme, which is now transitioning to the second phase: From Economic Recovery to Expansion.”

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    Barbados Blue Economy Scoping Study
    Barbados Blue Economy Scoping Study Synthesis Report
    Barbados Blue Economy Scoping Study Action Plan

    Dominica Blue Economy Scoping Study

    This report, prepared on behalf of UNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean,  represents the outcome of a Blue Economy Scoping Study, undertaken through the UNDP programme of assistance, to provide both UNDP and the government of Dominica with some understanding of the possible opportunities that the blue economy presents.

    The report provides an overview of current context and opportunities, a technical analysis of impediments, and makes recommendations for ways forward in the form of an Initial Action Plan. The report focusses on the key economic sectors that rely on the marine environment, namely tourism and leisure, capture fisheries and ports and shipping. In this regard this report puts forward a range of possible options for the government’s consideration.

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    Dominica Blue Economy Scoping Study

    British Virgin Islands (BVI) Strategic Blue Economy Roadmap

    This Strategic Blue Economy Roadmap, developed with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, sets out an integrated approach to ocean based sustainable development which brings together economy, environment and society, consistent with the Sustainable Development Agenda (2030), Aichi Target 11 of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change (2015).

    The roadmap sets the direction and development pathways for future investment in and development of a sustainable ocean-based economy in the Virgin Islands. Specifically, the roadmap aims to create a revitalization process that results in healthy ecosystems that are able to sustain growth in a number of economic sectors and provide an opportunity for building equitable societies. Over time this revitalization will support the development of new sectors attracting greater investment and financial support to the blue economy resulting in a greater number of businesses supported by the blue economy. This revitalization will be supported by capable management institutions, focused on sustainable development, and enabled by an innovative and skilled private sector.

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    BVI Strategic Blue Economy Roadmap

    Montserrat Blue Economy Scoping Study

    Montserrat has the unique opportunity to capitalise on the emerging blue economy (BE) as a way to build forward better in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to advance the BE agenda, the Government of Montserrat (GoM) expressed their desire to explore BE opportunities.  

    The UNDP Multi-Country Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean collaborated with the GoM and a team of consultants to undertake a rapid preliminary assessment of the status of Montserrat’s Blue Economy to help build a snapshot of the island's current blue wealth and productivity. The study aimed to uncover the constraints to developing a more productive blue economy and assess the potential for generating greater value, creating equitable blue growth and promoting climate resilience. It provides guidance on the blue economy opportunities that can be explored, and best fit the local context in Montserrat. Sector specific opportunities that support the overarching framework of blue economy development are also outlined.