Can the ocean economy in Brazil become blue?
International Journal of Social Economics
ISSN: 0306-8293
Article publication date: 28 July 2023
Issue publication date: 9 January 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to identify the potential for economic activities related to the ocean economy in Brazil to become blue economy (BE) activities, in which the concept of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is central.
Design/methodology/approach
To achieve the aim, the authors collected information on the SDGs and estimated data from the ocean economy sectors for the 256 Brazilian coastal cities. The authors predicted the indices for potential development of territories and sectors in the BE using two parameters: employed persons (EP) and sectoral added value (AV).
Findings
The results show that the capitals of coastal states present the highest potential indices for the BE, especially Rio de Janeiro, which accounted for 83.3% of sectoral added value in the Brazilian ocean economy with potential for sustainable development and generated 107,800 active formal jobs (26.9% of the country's total). In addition, restaurants, hotels and similar establishments are, on the Brazilian coast, the most frequent on the coastal zone and have the highest potential for BE activities.
Originality/value
Regarding its contributions, this research innovates by developing an indicator that can help stakeholders understand the similarities and differences between cities and regions, whether through a social, economic, or environmental lens. Therefore, by following this methodological path for measuring the BE, viewing the distinct patterns of sustainable development by area is possible, thereby supporting action plans for the fulfillment of the 2030 Agenda and the implementation of a marine spatial planning process for the country in the context of the Ocean Decade (2021–2030).
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-02-2023-0112
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (Research Productivity Fellowship No. 313518/2020-3), PELD Costa Semiárida do Brasil-CSB (CNPq, FUNCAP No. 442337/2020-5), CAPES-PRINT, CAPES-Alexander Von Humboldt (AvH) and Fundação Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (Chief Scientist Program/PELD) for their financial support. This study was sponsored by Brazilian Long Term Ecological Research (Brazilian LTER) at Costa Semiárida do Brasil (PELD-CSB/CNPq Proc.442337/2020-5), CAPES/Alexander Von Humboldt Stiftung (CAPES/AVH), Fulbright Commision (USA), FUNCAP, CNPq (409682/2022-5 and 407058/2022-2) and CNPq Research Productivity Fellowship to Marcelo Soares (Grant 313518/2020-3). FRS thanks Instituto Desenvolvimento, Estratégia e Conhecimento (IDESCO) and FUNCAP.
Citation
Câmara, S.F., Pinto, F.R., Silva, F.R.d., Torres Junior, P. and Soares, M.O. (2024), "Can the ocean economy in Brazil become blue?", International Journal of Social Economics, Vol. 51 No. 1, pp. 133-149. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSE-02-2023-0112
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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