Carbon-neutral circular economy in the marine sector

Nani Pajunen,
Leading Specialist (D.Sc.),
The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra,
Finland

Ona Vassallo,
Research Assistant,
Turku University of Applied Sciences,
Finland

The need for systemic change

Humankind is in a transition phase. We are facing huge challenges, such as biodiversity loss and climate change. Our current global economy is based on overusing the natural resources of the planet. Urbanisation, industrialisation, global trade, transportation operations and energy production all have huge impacts in nature worldwide. The sourcing and processing of natural resources is responsible for approximately half of global greenhouse gas emissions and for 90% of biodiversity loss (The International Resource Panel, 2019).

We need to understand that the lifestyles of humankind today are not sustainable. Some parts of this planet are already uninhabitable. Therefore, there is a dire need to make changes in every sector of society as well as in our everyday life. We urgently need to transition from a linear economy towards a circular economy. (Sitra, 2016; European Commission, 2020) In this article, our approach to the sustainability crises is the perspective of marine nature and marine industry, global trade and maritime transport.

Why the perspective of marine nature is important?

Oceans regulate our climate by absorbing a quarter of all the carbon pumped into the atmosphere. Over 90% of the additional heat caused by global heating is stored in the Oceans. Conserving, protecting and restoring marine nature directly help the oceans’ ecosystems. The pressure on marine ecosystems and the resources they provide is increasing as biodiversity is threatened. Healthy marine ecosystems are important for society since they provide services including food security, feed for livestock, raw materials for medicines, building materials from coral rock and sand, and natural defence against hazards such as coastal erosion and inundation.

Significant proportion of the world’s population depends on the oceans and coasts for survival and well-being. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 2016) predicts that the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) will have a strong influence on aquaculture sector, as more and more fish, shellfish, algae and other organisms are being cultivated and harvested in water environments. According to FAO, fish alone provide 20% of animal protein to about 3 billion people.

Biggest threats to marine nature: pollution, waste plastics, tourism, fossil fuels and fishing

Pollution, waste plastics, tourism, oil and gas exploitation and fishing, especially bottom trawl fisheries are probably the best-known threats to marine nature. However, all our actions, such as mining and extraction; coastal infrastructure and construction on the coast; offshore wind farms; eutrophication based on agriculture; and shipping have huge environmental impacts. The consequences of climate heating effect the oceans, as well. Storms, not so common weather phenomenon and climate patterns (e.g. El Niño), the spreading of new species, diseases and overharvesting of invertebrates all present risks for nature and humanity. Researchers also raise attention to the threat underwater noise poses to mammals. Not so well-known risks also come from abandoned ships and uncontrolled large-scale ship-dismantling activities. (Korpinen et al., 2021)

The “Merikartta” ecosystem

International trade is still largely based on transport by sea: according to estimates, about 90% of world trade travels by sea. The marine sector is also a large employer in the EU, providing jobs to more than five million people. In Finland, we have a long tradition in shipbuilding and shipping. Finnish maritime expertise is strong, supported by research and construction of ships to shipping operations. Therefore, we believe the Finnish marine sector can be part of the solution, not the problem.

A year ago, we launched the “Merikartta” ecosystem, starting from an online workshop with nearly one hundred marine professionals. The aim is to build a collaborative network that will help the marine sector move towards a carbon-neutral circular economy, while addressing the challenges of both climate heating and biodiversity loss. Results, know-how and technological solutions of earlier projects are gathered for everyone’s use, and novel ideas, actions and organisations are welcome. The ecosystem follows a multidisciplinary and collaborative working method.

The next nautical miles

We need a common understanding of the value of nature. However, this is not enough. Without real actions, from strategy level to the operational level, the marine nature will continuously deteriorate. Our prosperity and welfare are based on global industrial value nets. The single most important driver for the transition from a linear economy towards a carbon neutral circular economy is that it makes economic sense. (Pajunen, 2015) Therefore, we strongly believe business can be a global tool for the necessary change towards a more sustainable future, in the marine sector as well.

The adoption of circular economy business practices and solutions will open a wide range of opportunities for companies in the industrial marine sector, via product design, improving material efficiency, energy solutions or selling products as a service. And the best incentive is this: promoting circular economy business tends to improve the company´s financial performance, as well.

Email: nani.pajunen@sitra.fi

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