The BlueGeneration project has released a dedicated job platform for the blue economy, which includes ship-building and coastal and maritime tourism. It can be used free of charge and will be promoted to over 8000 young people every year in meetings and school visits. The platform can be accessed here: https://bluegeneration.careers/

Blue Generation project

The objective of the Blue Generation Project, which EBI is part of, is to inspire and engage young people between 15 and 29 years to pursue a sustainable career in the Blue Economy (coastal tourism, aquaculture, ocean energy, marine biotechnology, shipbuilding, maritime transport and fisheries). EBI is providing input to various aspects of the project, in particular the development of the online version of a blue career guide and the massive open online course (MOOC). The PDF version of the Blue Generation guide can be found here. More information about the project can be found here.

The Conference was organised by the Croatian EU Presidency and Industry4Europe, a coalition of over 150 industry associations promoting a strong EU industrial strategy. EBI is a longstanding member of the coalition and was a sponsor of the event held on 21 January in Brussels.

Several high-level speakers from the EU institutions spoke at the event:

• Goran Štefanić, Deputy Permanent Representative of Croatia to the European Union
• Darko Horvat, Croatian Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Craft
• Cristian-Silviu Buşoi, MEP, Chair of the Committee for Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE)
• Lucie Studničná, President of the Consultative Commission for Industrial Change (CCMI) of the European Economic and Social Committee
• Mario Antonić, State Secretary, Croatian Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Crafts
• Carlo Calenda, MEP, Member of the European Parliament Committee for Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE)
• Mr Gwenole Cozigou, Acting Director-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW), European Commission

Key points addressed during the event were the role of European industry to implement the European Green Deal, the importance of small and medium-sized companies, and industry as backbone of the European economy. The EU should lead in innovation and developing the products, technologies & business models of the future.

EBI partnered with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, thus strengthening its action for environmental and economic sustainability and its commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. As a partner to the high-level initiative, EBI leads the environmental engagement of the European recreational boating industry.

The United Nations has proclaimed 2021-2030 as the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development to draw attention to the role of ocean health and bring together stakeholders for sustainable development. “EBI is a strong supporter of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and we are delighted to now be a partner of the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Engagement with the various branches of ocean science is key to develop policy at European level that is geared towards sustainability”, EBI President Jean-Pierre Goudant declared.

The EBI Council committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), among which “Decent Work and Economic Growth”, “Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure” and “Life Below Water” are key areas for the recreational boating industry. “Our industry promotes clean and healthy oceans and we are engaged to achieve economic and environmental sustainability. It is a transition that requires strong support by policy-makers at European, regional and national level. We look forward to working together for these goals within the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development”, commented Philip Easthill, Secretary General of EBI.

More about the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development can be found here.

Navigating a Changing Climate Partnership

EBI also became an official supporter of PIANC’s Navigating a Changing Climate Partnership. Participants have committed to work together to support the inland and maritime navigation infrastructure sector in their response to climate change. Activities aim at furthering understanding, providing technical support, and capacity building to 1) Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and shift to low carbon maritime and inland navigation infrastructure and 2) strengthen resilience and improve preparedness to adapt to the changing climate.

EBI will be participating to support the further development of environmental sustainability and climate change adaptation policy in the European recreational boating sector.

PIANC is the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure. PIANC members include Governments, corporate members, public and private sector organisations and, individuals from 65 countries around the world.

More about the partnership can be found here.

EBI met with Maja Markovčić Kostelac, Executive Director of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and key leadership staff to discuss the agency’s new strategy, its new work on recreational boating and common priorities around environmental sustainability and maritime safety.

The discussions centred on the new strategy of the agency covering the period 2020-2024 that will focus on recreational boating for the first time. EBI and EMSA will be working together on topics related to maritime safety and environmental sustainability to develop concrete outcomes.

Both organisations share an understanding of the importance of maritime safety and environmental sustainability. EBI will be engaging with EMSA to develop a positive approach to the issues and represent the European recreational boating industry. The meeting took place at the Lisbon headquarters of EMSA with the EBI delegation consisting of Philip Easthill, Secretary-General of EBI and Stefano Pagani Isnardi, Research Department Manager, Confindustria Nautica.

EMSA provides technical expertise and operational assistance to improve maritime safety, pollution preparedness and response and maritime security. It is an official EU agency and its mission is to serve EU’s maritime interests for a safe, secure, green and competitive maritime sector. EMSA works on maritime safety, security, climate, environment and single market issues.

Following the European Commission’s presentation of the European Green Deal, the Sustainable Europe Investment Plan was presented. Its aim is to mobilise public investment and unlock private funds through EU financial instruments. This should have an overall value of at least €1 trillion. It is based on three dimensions:

1. Financing: A greater share of spending on climate and environmental action from the EU budget to encourage private funding, which will be led by the European Investment Bank
2. Enabling: providing incentives to unlock and redirect public and private investment through sustainable finance rules
3. Practical support: The Commission will provide support to public authorities and project promoters in planning, designing and executing sustainable projects

The full proposal on the Sustainable Investment Plan can be found here. EBI will be working with the EU institutions to ensure that the recreational boating industry is supported in its transition towards sustainability and inform the sector about funding opportunities.

The 2020 edition of the International Breakfast meeting, co-organised by boot Düsseldorf and European Boating Industry on 21 January focused on the topic of sustainable boating. The European Green Deal, which has the ambition to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent was at the centre of the discussions followed by talks from electric, hybrid, hydrogen and digital innovators.

Drawing a record crowd of over 180 participants, the International Breakfast Meeting placed sustainability at the heart of the discussions. Welcoming participants, Petros Michelidakis (Director, boot Düsseldorf) said “Over 10 percent of the EU’s population participates in water sports and they want this to take place in a clean environment. The International Breakfast Meeting is the ideal location to discuss the key trends for our sector and proactively develop the future of sustainable boating.”

The keynote speech was given by Dr Artur Runge-Metzger (Director, European Commission Directorate-General for Climate Action). He presented the European Green Deal, which strives to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 through a transformation towards environmental sustainability and tackling climate change. He highlighted the growth opportunities that this offers across all industries, including upcoming funding opportunities.

The trends in transforming the boating industry were at the core of the discussions with a variety of speakers showcasing innovation in the boating industry. These included hybrid, hydrogen and electric propulsion, as well as digital technologies presented by Laurent Perignon (Energy Observer Developments), Vladimir Zinchenko (Greenline Yachts), Maarten Bernhart (La Bella Verde) and Simon Bühl (BrandUp Factory).

In his remarks, EBI President Jean-Pierre Goudant highlighted that “For our sector, moving towards sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint is crucial. As EBI, we see this as one of our key challenges for the coming years that we will advocate for. The International Breakfast Meeting clearly shows that our industry is innovating and proceeding on the right path.”

Concluding the event, EBI Secretary-General Philip Easthill said “We are convinced that the environmental transformation of our industry will create new opportunities for growth in our sector. This must be based on three key pillars: Industry innovation, research and innovation funding, as well as policy that promotes sustainability. These are among the key topics for EBI in the coming years. We want sustainable boating to be made in Europe.”

European Boating Industry (EBI) met with Maja Markovčić Kostelac, Executive Director of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and key leadership staff to discuss the agency’s new strategy, its new work on recreational boating and common priorities around environmental sustainability and maritime safety.

The discussions centred on the new strategy of the agency covering the period 2020-2024 that will focus on recreational boating for the first time. EBI and EMSA will be working together on topics related to maritime safety and environmental sustainability to develop concrete outcomes.

Both organisations share an understanding of the importance of maritime safety and environmental sustainability. This is at the heart of the boating industry and is a key area of EBI’s activities in the coming years. EBI will be engaging with EMSA to develop a positive approach to the issues and represent the European recreational boating industry. The meeting took place at the Lisbon headquarters of EMSA with the EBI delegation consisting of Philip Easthill, Secretary-General of EBI and Stefano Pagani Isnardi, Research Department Manager, Confindustria Nautica (Member of EBI).

EMSA provides technical expertise and operational assistance to improve maritime safety, pollution preparedness and response and maritime security. It is an official EU agency and its mission is to serve EU’s maritime interests for a safe, secure, green and competitive maritime sector. EMSA works on maritime safety, security, climate, environment and single market issues.

European Boating Industry (EBI) partners with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, thus strengthening its action for environmental and economic sustainability and its commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. As a partner to the high-level initiative the EBI leads the environmental engagement of the European recreational boating industry.

The United Nations has proclaimed 2021-2030 as the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development to draw attention to the role of ocean health and bring together stakeholders for sustainable development.

“EBI is a strong supporter of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and we are delighted to now be a partner of the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Engagement with the various branches of ocean science is key to develop policy at European level that is geared towards sustainability”, EBI President Jean-Pierre Goudant declared.

The EBI Council committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), among which “Decent Work and Economic Growth”, “Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure” and “Life Below Water” are key areas for the recreational boating industry. “Our industry promotes clean and healthy oceans and we are engaged to achieve economic and environmental sustainability. It is a transition that requires strong support by policy-makers at European, regional and national level. We look forward to working together for these goals within the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development”, commented Philip Easthill, Secretary General of EBI.

The upcoming EBI International Breakfast Meeting organised at the boot Düsseldorf boat show on 21 January 2020 will bring together the European Commission and the most important industry actors to discuss sustainable boating and decarbonisation. EBI was also involved in the recently-completed Pharos4MPAs project together with NGOs such as the World Wildlife Fund, and research institutes to develop recommendations for marine conservation in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

More about the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development here and the International Breakfast Meeting here.

Based on the outcomes of projects funded under the European Cooperation Programme for the Mediterranean area (the Interreg MED Programme 2014-2020), a policy paper on the blue economy in the Mediterranean was published. This policy paper includes objectives and actions to promote the blue economy in the Mediterranean. While the focus is regional, the outcomes are equally applicable across Europe. Specific policy recommendations for three focal sectors were developed, namely yachting, marine renewable energy and maritime surveillance. The recommendations are addressed towards the EU institutions, international and intergovernmental organizations, Member States and regional authorities.

EBI was closely involved in the development of the policy paper and provided input on the challenges for the recreational boating sector in the Mediterranean, as well as across Europe. These and a number of EBI’s policy recommendations were successfully taken up and include among others:

• Harmonisation of skipper licenses at EU level
• Harmonisation of the regulatory framework at EU level for on-board staff employment, health and safety at work and other areas
• Development of digital tools and procedures to reduce administrative burden
• Promotion of environmental sustainability through circular economy, support by Member States and EU institutions for end-of-life boat policies
• Public support by Member States and the EU for research on clean propulsion boats and use of renewable energy use in ports and marinas
• Creation of educational pathways for qualifications and professions in the recreational boating industry

The paper also calls for support to the sector through economic development policies and to raise public awareness of the sectors’ strength, SME focus and potential for sustainable growth in the blue economy. This paper will be further promoted and brought to the attention of the EU institutions in the coming months. The full policy paper can be found here.

The projects under Interreg MED were iBlue, MAESTRALE, PELAGOS, PROteuS and 4Helix+.

Taking over the Council Presidency from Finland in the first half of 2020, Croatia has released its official programme outlining its plans and priorities. It will be leading the Council of the EU until June. The programme announced by Croatia centres around the presidency’s four key priorities:

A Europe that develops

A Europe that connects

A Europe that protects

An influential Europe.

Among the policy areas that the Croatian presidency will take forward some of interest to the recreational boating industry. It will include a focus on fighting climate change and protecting the environment through policies such as circular economy, protection of the marine environment and protecting coastal areas from pollution. The presidency will also promote sustainable tourism and overall sustainability of coastal and island communities. Another area of its work will be to take a leading role on the international stage in fighting climate change.

Other relevant policy priorities are to strengthen European industry and SMEs, as well as targeted development of green technologies and innovation. Trade also features as a priority regarding the safeguarding of multilateral rule-based trade and a strengthening of EU-US relations.

The full programme can be found here.