Blue Growth Initiative

Blue Growth Initiative

Partnering with countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals

Year of publication 2017

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 5p.

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Document

Edition 1

Full item page

Synopsis (short abstract) The Blue Growth Initiative (BGI) is FAO’s model for sustainably developing fisheries and aquaculture. The BGI differs from business as usual fisheries and aquaculture development, which historically focused on single interests, such as producing more fish for consumption or generating more income for livelihoods. The concept of Blue Growth is similar in many respects to that of the Blue Economy—a concept that came out of Rio +20—in that both center on the pillars of sustainable development: env ironmental, economic, and social. FAO uses the term Blue Growth to emphasize the need for growth in many Member States particularly in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. The goals of the BGI are to maximize economic and social benefits while minimizing environmental degradation from these sectors. These goals are closely aligned with the 2030 agenda Sustainable Development Goals (or SDGs). There is no one-size-fits-all approach the BGI. Blue Growth approaches remain flexible for different re alities, from tropical inland fisheries to Arctic coastal countries. The BGI framework for transitioning to blue growth consists of three phases: 1) creating enabling conditions; 2) implementing targeted interventions; and 3) mainstreaming. BGI developments highlighted herein provide concrete examples of Countries and communities who, with the support of FAO, are using this framework and beginning to see benefits. Implementation spans the three pillars of sustainable development, referred to her e as the following platforms: Blue Communities, Blue Production and Blue Trade.

Language English

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Book (series)

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The workshop was organized by the FAO Subregional Office for the Caribbean in collaboration with the Development Planning and Inland Water Resources and Aquaculture Services of the FAO Fisheries Department, Rome. It was hosted by the Government of Saint Lucia, and attended by 15 participants from seven countries, four regional institutions and the FAO Fisheries Department. The syntheses of the national experiences and status of aquaculture development in the Lesser Antilles reflected a signifi cant level of diversity in the scale of activities among the island nations; they also revealed many similarities in the results and present status of aquaculture development in the subregion. The case studies elicited very positive comments and enquiries from the country representatives. In the plenary deliberations, to identify the constraints to and opportunities for developing aquaculture sustainably in the subregion, participants recognized the need to rank the aquaculture development act ivities based on individual country-priorities and stage of development. The workshop agreed that participants would consult with the decision-makers in their respective countries and communicate a priority-list of needs for possible technical assistance to the technical secretary of the workshop. It was also agreed that such a list would be used to identify common themes that could form the basis for a possible subregional Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) project proposal.
Booklet

Climate-Smart Agriculture in Cabo Verde 2019

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The climate smart agriculture (CSA) concept reflects an ambition to improve the integration of agriculture development and climate responsiveness. It aims to achieve food security and broader development goals under a changing climate and increasing food demand. CSA initiatives sustainably increase productivity, enhance resilience, and reduce/remove greenhouse gases (GHGs), and require planning to address trade-offs and synergies between three pillars: productivity, adaptation and mitigation. The priorities of different countries and stakeholders are reflected to achieve more efficient, effective, and equitable food systems that address challenges in environment, social, and economic dimensions across productive landscapes. The country profile provides a snapshot of a developing baseline created to initiate discussion, both within countries and globally, about entry points for investing in CSA at scale. Cabo Verde is an archipelago developing country in West Africa of volcanic origin having an ecological and landscape diversity associated to the geomorphological characteristics of the islands and to the influences of the actions of climate elements and anthropic pressure on the existing resources. Agricultural land in the country is about 79000ha representing 19.6% of the total land area. Agriculture is predominantly based on subsistence family production. The production systems present can be categorised into rainfed and irrigated systems. Major crops produced include maize, pulses, vegetables, coconut, sugar cane, coffee and fruits. In terms of agricultural inputs, Cabo Verde has an irrigation potential of 3,109ha although a small proportion (5.9%) of the agricultural areas is equipped for irrigation. However, drip irrigation has expanded fast, with investments made in water mobilisation and gravity irrigation schemes. Cereals continue to constitute the major parts of Cabo Verdean diet although diets are now more diversified with more proteins and micronutrients-rich foods. As a small island development state (SIDS), Cabo Verde has one of the lowest GHG emissions per capita. Challenges to agriculture include (i) growth in population and food demand, (ii) limited marketing opportunities of agricultural commodities, (iii) climate change and variability, and (iv) food waste. Climate models ran during 2008-2012 have shown that the country’s natural vulnerabilities, along with their social and economic implications, are very likely to be exacerbated by climate-related disruptions in the next decades. In addition, the country is affected by acute water scarcity (both surface and underground) with erratic mean annual precipitation level decreasing since 1970. CSA technologies and practises present opportunities for addressing climate change challenges, as well as for economic growth and development of the agriculture sector. Identified CSA practises in use in the country include (i) integrated pest and disease management (IPM)), (ii) drip irrigation, (iii) anti-erosion practises, (iv) soil and water conservation (SWC) techniques, (v) shelterbelts, and (vi) improved seeds/breeds. Several institutions aim to foster the development and adoption of technologies that enhance agriculture productivity and advance CSA practises in Cabo Verde. The ministry of environment, agriculture and fisheries is the main government institutions responsible for the country’s climate change plans and policies. The food and agriculture organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations development programme (UNDP) play instrumental roles in the promotion of sustainable agriculture and environmental sustainability. There is no specific funding allocated to CSA per se in the country. However, various projects funded within the purview of agriculture, environmental sustainability and climate change have contributed to delivering CSA goals. Sources of funding include FAO, World Bank, GEF with support of UNDP, etc. The country has also benefitted from other grants to support it in the development of various strategies, action plans, policies and frameworks. Several policies, strategies, plans and programmes are being implemented to fight climate change and promote activities underpinning CSA.
Book (stand-alone)

Achieving Blue Growth. Building vibrant fisheries and aquaculture communities
Building vibrant fisheries and aquaculture communities
2018

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Fisheries and aquaculture support the livelihoods of millions of people around the world. In rural and coastal communities they often play a key role for a society’s culture and identity. As these communities know well, fish is also a healthy and nutritious food, with the potential to feed our growing planet. But as the population grows, the demand for fish increases, and our natural resources are increasingly stressed. Sustainable management and development is crucial to preserving these resources for future generations. Like the Green Economy principles that preceded it, FAO’s Blue Growth Initiative emphasizes the three pillars of sustainable development – social, economic, and environmental– so that fisheries and aquaculture contribute to the 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Blue Growth Initiative is a strategic approach to improving the use of aquatic resources resulting in better social, economic and environmental outcomes.

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