Research initiative to focus on how coastal economies, ocean solutions, and investment in innovation are supporting a sustainable blue future in countries around the world
June 8, 2021 – Today, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster announced its partnership with the MIT Technology Review Insights on the Blue Technology Barometer. The global index will examine advancing technology and innovation, regulations, and commercial solutions from countries around the world that will help support decarbonization and shape the future of the global blue economy.
“The sustainable growth of our ocean is a global conversation where innovation plays a key role in achieving greater ocean health and productivity,” said Kendra MacDonald. “As Canada’s national ocean cluster, we are proud to be the Canadian partner in the development of this research, report and index. This is a unique opportunity to tell Canada’s ocean story to the world, putting a spotlight on our collective focus on the impacts of climate change in ocean, the path to decarbonization, and realizing sustainable growth in the blue economy.”
The Blue Technology Barometer will examine where and how blue economy technologies and solutions are used to clean up oceans, reduce marine-related carbon emissions and make marine economic activities more economically and environmentally viable. These activities and assets will be quantified and ranked for more than 60 countries with significant ocean coastlines.
“We are delighted to count Canada’s Ocean Supercluster as a partner to our new initiative measuring the impact that analytics, biotech, and other technologies will have on future ocean sustainability,” said Nico Crepaldi, head of custom research at MIT Technology Review. “Based on the work we have done to create the Green Future Index—our foundational global ranking of decarbonization progress and potential—the Blue Technology Barometer will form an important complement to our expanding portfolio of holistic research projects that examine the role technology plays in advancing sustainable development.”
Through assessing innovative thinking and action, the Blue Technology Barometer will highlight which economies are working most effectively to ensure a sustainable future in ocean.
The Blue Technology Barometer report, findings and index will be released publicly in the Fall of 2021.