Read our new white paper on an ecosystem approach

The ecosystem approach is still in its infancy, but is a necessary target if we want to achieve blue growth that is in balance with marine habitats and ecosystems. In order to be successful, the approach used must not only be better for preserving ecosystem services, but also fit within current and future business models.

Blue Cluster acknowledges that many entrepreneurs want to commit to sustainability and therefore wants to help them take the ecosystem into account within their operations. Through the publication of this white paper, we want to encourage companies to get started with the ecosystem approach. 

A performance wheel for an ecosystem approach (the so-called EA wheel) is presented in the white paper. This wheel should give companies insight into what is or is not going well in terms of the ecosystem approach. This should result in a nuanced picture of the performance and in targeted actions to improve this performance.

The tool starts from science-based knowledge about the impact on the marine ecosystem. Attention is also paid to the impact on socio-economic and policy objectives, so that the tool can be tested against various policy frameworks. Above all, the performance tool should encourage companies to implement the ecosystem approach and use existing data for this purpose.

It is important that companies, knowledge institutions and governments, as well as Blue Cluster play a role in the roll-out of an ecosystem approach for the blue economy. To develop the EA wheel, further steps need to be taken to strengthen the knowledge base around ecosystem approaches.

Knowledge gaps are no reason for a delay, but do need to be addressed. Close collaboration between knowledge institutions and the industry should result in improved models, data platforms and indicators to quantify the impact of economic activities on the environment and its ecosystem services.

Companies are responsible for providing an assessment framework for new instruments, for example through ongoing innovation projects. This allows the EA wheel to take effect on a small scale at relatively short notice. Blue Cluster aims to position itself as a bridge-builder between industry, science and government.

The whole story around the EA tool started in spring 2020 and originated from the need of companies to measure the effects of human activities on ecosystems. This eventually resulted in a white paper written by Blue Cluster with input from experts and companies.

In this process, the white paper served as a central discussion document for setting up a research project enabling the realisation of an EA tool. The principles of the EA tool were initially based on an analogy with the CO2 ladder, but after consultation, they were adjusted to a more circular system in the form of an EA wheel.

The white paper is exclusive and free of charge for Blue Cluster members, but will be made available on request only. Would you like to receive a digital copy? Then send an e-mail to Bart Hillewaert.