BEYOND Blue Economy Synergies for Sustainable Development
Group Company
Benificiary
Start Date
End Date
Project Status
Instrument
Advisory
Sector
Energy transition
Segment
Public Administration
Interreg Italy-Croatia BEYOND aims to create a knowledge base on the natural environment, technical and legislative for the exploitation of offshore wind energy in the Adriatic by defining a model for offshore wind farms that does not focus on maximising electricity production, but on maximising the combined productive effects of all available sectors of the blue economy.
Four pilot regions of the Adriatic have been chosen to model the systems, defined as the most suitable for the synergistic development of the sectors of the blue economy, and for the production of offshore green hydrogen and integration in the Hydrogen Valley.
Requirements
The Adriatic Sea is a fundamental economic and environmental resource for Italy and Croatia, with development potential that could be endless if managed responsibly. However, the current situation is concerning: overfishing, inadequate management of protected areas, and the introduction of invasive species threaten biodiversity. According to ISPRA 2021, 22% of marine species are in an unfavorable conservation status, and only 63% of marine habitats are in a favorable state. The Mediterranean, of which the Adriatic is the most exploited part, is the most overexploited sea in the world, with 75% of fish stocks in critical condition.
The threats to marine ecosystems mainly stem from human activities and climate change, leading to phenomena such as tropicalization and the southward migration of species. Furthermore, only 6% of the Adriatic Sea is currently protected, far below the 30% target set for 2030. The sea is also vulnerable to pollution, particularly from oil spills.
Despite the growth potential of the maritime market, the blue economy sector is currently underutilized. Projects like Interreg MED MAESTRALE highlight the need to tap into local and renewable resources, especially given that both Italy and Croatia largely depend on energy imports. Both countries have made progress in using renewable energy sources, but fossil fuels continue to dominate.
It is therefore essential to invest in renewable energy sources such as solar and wind and develop storage systems like green hydrogen to address the intermittent nature of these resources. Only through sustainable management and the adoption of effective measures can the health of the Adriatic Sea and the energy security of the region be ensured.
Results
The results of BEYOND will help improve the transferability and replicability of outcomes. The planned activities include:
creation of "Blue economy recommendations to policymakers" to increase political support and facilitate the implementation of offshore wind farm projects;
assistance to stakeholders interested in the development of offshore wind farms;
engagement of all blue economy stakeholders to promote knowledge exchange and discussions;
public acceptance: initiatives to raise public awareness through communications and events.
Get in touch with the team
Interested in this project?
To discuss a similar project of yours or for any information and inquiries, feel free to contact us!
Contact Us
