PwC Turkey has published a comprehensive report titled “Sailing Toward Sustainability with the Blue Economy: Unlocking Turkey’s Potential”. The report covers various aspects of sectors defined as part of the blue economy, including sustainable fishing practices, offshore renewable energy, port operations, and coastal tourism.
Turkey’s Blue Economy Potential
With its 8,592 kilometers of coastline spanning 28 cities, home to 47 million people—more than many countries—Turkey’s demographic structure, geopolitical position, and logistical infrastructure provide significant potential for the blue economy. These coastal cities account for 67% of Turkey’s GDP and employ over 11 million people, 8% of whom are directly engaged in blue economy-related sectors.
According to PwC Turkey’s report, the 2053 Sustainable Blue Economy Action Plan aims to fill a crucial gap by creating the necessary infrastructure, developing a roadmap, and fostering collaboration between coastal industries and institutions. It also focuses on declaring Marine Protected Areas to preserve biodiversity in environmentally vulnerable coastal regions. Turkey is emerging as a key player in international blue economy initiatives, with programs such as the Black Sea Blueing Project (BBSEA), supported by the World Bank. Under this initiative, PwC Turkey has implemented the Blue Economy Employment Program for Pollution Reduction, showcasing the country’s commitment to collaboration in this field.
PwC Turkey’s Perspective
Cenk Ulu, PwC Turkey’s Senior Country Partner, emphasized the importance of blue economy initiatives:
“Defined as an integrated and sustainable approach to ocean and sea-based economic activities, the blue economy is critically important for countries with extensive coastlines like Turkey. Our nation, with its geographical structure and workforce, has the potential to become one of the leading countries in the blue economy. This report aims to maximize the benefits of this potential. The ‘2053 Sustainable Blue Economy Action Plan’ and the ‘Zero Waste Management System Implementation Guide’ demonstrate Turkey’s commitment to advancing the blue economy. Through the implementation of targeted policies and projects, our country can realize its significant potential for sustainable development.”
Regional Highlights of Turkey’s Blue Economy
The report outlines regional distributions of key blue economy sectors:
- Marmara Coast: Dominated by port operations, shipbuilding, and repair.
- Aegean Coast: Features similar activities as Marmara but adds coastal tourism and marine resources.
- Eastern Mediterranean: Mersin and İskenderun are noted for port operations, while western areas focus on coastal tourism and maritime transport.
- Black Sea Coast: Stands out for its numerous ports and shipyards, with the eastern regions highlighting marine resources.
Initiatives Supporting the Blue Economy
The report highlights the importance of awareness among coastal communities and public institutions in driving a transition to the blue economy. PwC’s Blue Economy Barometer platform enables comparative analysis by consolidating sectoral data from different countries, raising awareness, promoting innovation, and fostering skill development through blue technology education.
The Rise of Blue Finance
Another key focus of the report is blue finance, which refers to financial mechanisms designed to support sustainable economic activities related to oceans and coastal regions. These initiatives fund projects such as marine conservation, sustainable fishing, renewable energy, coastal infrastructure development, and pollution reduction. Tools such as blue bonds, blue carbon offset programs, green-blue taxonomies, and investments in blue economy sectors are among the highlighted financial mechanisms.
Turkey’s Leadership in Combating Marine Pollution
PwC’s report also underscores Turkey’s leadership in addressing marine pollution. According to 2021 OECD data, Turkey ranks first in receiving official development assistance for tackling land-based marine pollution, with $485 million in support. This places Turkey ahead of Costa Rica ($189 million) and Colombia ($145 million). Steps to address coastal pollution are playing a pivotal role in the development of the blue economy and increasing employment in blue sectors.
Unlocking Turkey’s Blue Economy Potential
To unlock and sustainably develop its blue economy potential, Turkey can take several steps:
- Strengthen regulations and policies to prevent pollution and ensure coastal cleanliness.
- Design sustainable tourism policies and raise awareness about coastal ecosystems.
- Establish robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
- Support SMEs, enhance R&D incentives, and develop maritime infrastructure.
- Strengthen public-private and international collaborations.
By addressing environmental concerns and fostering innovation, Turkey can cement its position as a leader in the blue economy, creating long-term economic and environmental value.
