Oceans are faced with weak governance, lack of data, and limited investment. аIJʿª½± is providing technical and financial support to governments and the private sector to close these knowledge gaps and support the development of a Blue Economy: the sustainable and integrated development of economic sectors in healthy oceans. Marine spatial planning (MSP) provides a comprehensive and integrated investment framework and financial and social rational for the Blue Economy. It does this by reducing investment risk and improving investors¡¯ certainty to access marine resources. Specifically, it addresses upstream environmental and social issues and allocates the spatial and temporal distribution of marine activities. Despite increased interest in MSP, the understanding of its process and use as an investment framework is limited.
The PROBLUE multi-donor trust fund program within the аIJʿª½±, has produced this Marine Spatial Planning for a Resilient and Inclusive Blue Economy Toolkit comprising a series of guidance notes and factsheets related to the different MSP phases, and the data and tools to inform these efforts. This toolkit closes these knowledge gaps and highlights the аIJʿª½±¡¯s opportunity to deliver financial and technical support to governments and the private sector. This is essential if countries are to take advantage of investment opportunities to improve food security and livelihoods and strengthen community resilience to natural and economic shocks.
The ¡°Marine Spatial Planning for a Resilient and Inclusive Blue Economy¡± guidance note takes advantage of the аIJʿª½±¡¯s strength in financing, technical assistance, convening across sectors and mobilizing the private sector to guide to аIJʿª½± staff and clients to design, implement and monitor marine spatial plans. The note is in two volumes:
outlines the MSP process: identifying entry points, making the case, establishing enabling conditions, formulating a plan and implementing it.
focuses on cross-cutting issues to ensure the marine spatial plan is inclusive, uses the best tools and data throughout the process, and supports delivering climate change and biodiversity targets. The cross-cutting volume also provides guidance on monitoring and evaluating progress throughout the different stages in MSP.
highlights the benefits of empowering women and other marginalized groups in MSP. It makes six key recommendations for doing this: analyze stakeholders¡¯ needs and interests; practice culturally sensitive and context-appropriate consultations and decision-making; use existing cooperatives and organizations to engage stakeholders; disaggregate data; consult stakeholders early for non-negotiable thresholds; and allocate an abundance of time and resources for consultations. (Also available in , )
guides the integration of climate risks and opportunities in the design, planning, and implementation of marine spatial plans. MSP can support clients to meet their national and international climate targets and enable the аIJʿª½± Group to implement its Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP). The Fact Sheet also highlights climate change considerations across marine sectors to reduce uncertainty for private sector investors, and recommendations for integrating climate change throughout the MSP process. (Also available in , )
