Sustainable Blue Economy Centre

The objective of the Sustainable Blue Economy Centre is to provide insight and actionable recommendations to guide future EU policy towards a more sustainable blue economy through impact-oriented research.  

It is a collaboration between Europe Jacques Delors, a Brussels-based think tank, with expertise notably in the field of ocean governance, that will host the centre, and Polygreen, a Greek company specialising in circular economy solutions. The centre was launched following the first High-Level event of the Mission’s Mediterranean Lighthouse (Palermo, May 2023) where Athanasios Polychronopoulos, CEO of Polygreen, met with Geneviève Pons and Pascal Lamy, vice-presidents of Europe Jacques Delors.  

The Centre focuses on several issues in its research and analysis, amongst others on circular waste management on islands, oil spill prevention, the removal of marine cables and marine ecosystems regeneration. Through its research and publication, it aims to put forward innovative solutions for EU policymaking and respond to challenges in the field of the blue economy. Therefore, its activities contribute to the objective of making the sustainable blue economy carbon-neutral and circular while also addressing the two other objectives: zero pollution, and protect and restore marine and freshwater ecosystems. The centre has already delivered a first paper: “Lessons from the first zero waste island”. It explores an innovative waste management solution, tested with the project “Tilos Just Go Zero”, and draws recommendations to promote circular waste management practices across the EU.

The Sustainable Blue Economy Centre aims to enhance the European legislative framework and put forward sustainable solutions in the field of the blue economy. Through its efforts, it endeavours to accelerate the rhythm of the blue economy sectors’ transition towards more sustainable practices.