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and low-carbon fuels will be stimulated by a dedicated initiative (the so called “FuelEU
Maritime”; EC, 2021e). Zero-emission ocean-going vessels will have to become market ready by
2030. The Sustainable Mobility Strategy also calls for a substantial part of the 75% of inland
freight carried today by road to shift towards more sustainable transport modes, including shortsea shipping, which, along with inland waterways, should increase by 50% by 2050. Short-sea
shipping represents a lead market for hydrogen, which is essential to achieving the EGD goals,
since it does not emit CO 2 and almost no air pollution when used. A specific strategy has been
adopted to produce up to 1 million and 10 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen, respectively by
2024 and 2030 (EC, 2020d). Finally, in order to promote zero-emission ports, the Ship-Source
Pollution Directive (EU, 2005) will be revised to bring its provisions on illegal discharges at sea
into line with the EU rules requiring ships to deliver their waste in ports.
The protection and restoration of biodiversity represent another fundamental goal of the
EGDSF. A set of actions has been defined by the European Commission to improve the protection
of marine biodiversity, with regard to both species and habitats (EC, 2020e). In the first place, the
EU should protect at least 30% of the EU’s seas by 2030 (+19% compared to today) and, in all
protected areas, Member States will have to establish clear conservation objectives and measures.
If the EU is not on track to meet the above objective, the Commission may later decide to
introduce adequate legislation. The upcoming new action plan to conserve fisheries resources and
protect marine ecosystems will promote the transition towards more selective and less damaging
fishing techniques, which will be financially supported by by the European Maritime and
Fisheries Fund (EMFF). The Biodiversity Strategy (EC, 2020e) also provides for the reduction of
the by-catch of species threatened with extinction, the adoption of a zero-tolerance approach for
illegal harvesting of marine resources and the reduction of the adverse impacts of fishing,
extraction and other human activities on sensitive species and seabed habitats.
Over 200 million EU citizens live in coastal regions or on one of Europe’s many islands. If
current trends are not reversed, they will be increasingly exposed to loss and damages due to
climate change and extreme weather events. The cost of inaction on the protection of coastlines
from the risk of erosion and flooding would amount to 340-360 billion Euros per year in terms of
lost ecosystem services along EU coasts (EC, 2020a). The EU Strategy on adaptation to climate
change (EC, 2021f) highlights the importance of developing nature-based solutions on a large
scale and green infrastructures in coastal and marine areas, as they will enhance coastal defence
and reduce the risk of algal blooms, while providing further benefits such as carbon sequestration,
tourism opportunities, and biodiversity conservation and restoration. These adaptation activities
will become a new sector of the blue economy.
The blue economy is also key in the transition towards a sustainable food system (shaped by
the Farm to Fork Strategy; EC, 2020f), which, in turn, will contribute to climate mitigation, the
protection of biodiversity and the reduction of pollution. Seafood farming and algae may be a
relevant source of alternative proteins for a sustainable food system (as well as for animal feed),
since they generate a low carbon footprint compared to animal proteins. A specific initiative on
algae will be launched in 2022. The EMFF will offer targeted support for the algae and seafood
industry and marketing standards will be revised to encourage the uptake of sustainable fisheries
and aquaculture products. The Commission will act to reduce the overall EU sales of
antimicrobials for farmed animals and in aquaculture by 50%, by 2030 (EC, 2020f and 2021g).
Organic aquaculture should significantly increase. The new EU Strategic Guidelines on
Aquaculture (EC, 2021h) favour this process and the improvement of the environmental
performance of the sector.
Marine litter is a global concern; it is estimated that more than 150 million tonnes of plastics
have been accumulated in the world’s oceans (Jambeck et al., 2015), with detrimental
environmental effects and serious economic consequences. The Commission aims, inter alia, at
halving plastic litter at sea and reducing by 30% microplastics released into the environment by
2030 (EC, 2020g and 2021g). At the international level, the EU will lead efforts to reach a global
agreement on plastics. Standards are being developed for the circular design of fishing gears to
facilitate their re-use and recycling. The agenda, shaped by the Action Plan, includes other
“circular measures” affecting the maritime sector, such as the revision of the standards for ship