Evaluating the governance of sustainable development: The quality and legitimacy of the blue economy

This chapter analyses multi-stakeholder perspectives on the governance and sustainability of different blue economy initiatives from both developed and developing countries. The study was conducted in 2020 using an anonymous online survey following an analytical method based on principles, criteria and indicators. Respondents rated the quality of these initiatives on a Likert scale (1-5) based on 11 indicators. The results show that the Sustainable Ocean Initiative received the highest score, while Marine permaculture scored the lowest. blue economy initiatives were considered inclusive by respondents; however, resources and capacity were deemed insufficient. Respondents from the Global South (developing countries) rated the initiatives higher than those from the Global North (developed countries) perhaps because developing countries are the prime beneficiaries of these programmes and receive more funding and assistance. These findings support policy and decision-makers formulating policies based on stakeholders’ opinions and focussing on low-scoring initiatives. The blue economy is a growing sector with high potential for sustainable development; however, various factors, notably the COVID-19 pandemic, are obstructing its advancement. Therefore, effective communication, collaborative efforts and substantial and sustainable finance are vital for ensuring the sustainability of the blue economy in both the Global North and the Global South