What will future marine enterprises look like? How should the maritime nation of Norway move forward to ensure sustainable value creation from our blue pasture?
We examine possible scenarios for ocean-based industries in 2030 and 2050, and present opportunities for blue-green growth.
The foresight study suggests these steps to achieve a sustainable blue economy:
• Ports and maritime services in the north should be adapted to the northern sea route.
• Northern Norway should be at the international forefront of ocean-related higher education, thus also attracting the expertise the region will need in the future.
• Fisheries should harvest lower in the food chain. For example, plankton can become important as a sustainable source of protein in the future.
• Future tourism should be run according to the principles of ecotourism. We must also ensure that revenue generated by tourism in northern Norway remains in the region.
• Sustainable mineral extraction from the seabed can contribute to the green shift. The same is true for production of hydrogen from natural gas.
• Emission-free electric aircraft can contribute to improving infrastructure and communications in rural areas.
• Local partnerships can ensure development and economic growth in the Norwegian Arctic. Interactions can provide added value in a future when finding the balance between utilisation and conservation becomes increasingly challenging.
The study also identifies eight investment priorities in the Norwegian Arctic:
1. Fisheries management
2. Sustainable aquaculture
3. Renewable energy and increased electrification
4. Emission-free transport
5. Digital infrastructure
6. Competence development
7. Search and rescue
8. Partnerships
This is the second report to emanate from the project “Sustainable Blue Economy in the North”, done in collaboration between Centre for the Ocean and the Arctic and DNV GL.
The report will be handed over to Torbjørn Røe Isaksen, Minister of Trade and Industry, during the launch at Litteraturhuset in Oslo. The minister will also participate in a forward-looking debate about marine issues with Thina Saltvedt from Nordea, Anja Bakken Riise from The Future in Our Hands, Toril Røe Utvik from Equinor and Vidar Helgesen from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Moderator is Per Anders Todal, author of Havlandet and journalist at the weekly newspaper Dag og Tid.