THEMATIC PRESENTATIONS PROGRAM

OPPORTUNITIES IN MOZAMBIQUE BLUE ECONOMY

SPEAKER: Fernando Momade

Public Administration Officer in Mozambique, with 20+ years of experience. PhD student at NOVA FCT (Lisbon), researching sustainable and participatory alternatives to strengthen the economic and cultural resilience of coastal communities, facing the blue economy in Mozambique.

PRESENTATION SUMMARY:

The blue economy is vital for the sustainable development of Mozambique, given the diversity and richness of its marine and coastal resources. The presentation will focus on the strategic opportunities that exist in fisheries and aquaculture; in renewable energy and marine extractive industry; in transport and infrastructure; in natural capital, environment and circular economy; in coastal and marine tourism; in governance and capacity building, and in the role of the Blue Economy Development Fund. The Blue Economy Development Strategy of Mozambique reinforces the urgency of using these resources responsibly, promoting employment, inclusive growth and ecological resilience.

DISRUPTION AND INEVITABILITIES IN THE BLUE ECONOMY

SPEAKER: Alvaro Sardinha

Consultant specialized in blue economy and sustainable and regenerative development. Master's degree in law and economics of the sea, is the founder of C2EA and coordinator of the postgraduate course on leadership in sustainable blue economy, regularly collaborating on projects with international visibility.

PRESENTATION SUMMARY:

The blue economy offers huge challenges and endless opportunities, in a time characterized by uncertainty. There are, however, certain inevitabilities that are transversal to all geographies – some trends are so powerful, that we can almost assume them as inevitable facts. On the other hand, the blue economy is currently subject to disruptive changes, which can compromise the best ideas and make business plans unfeasible. The meteoric evolution of biotechnology, ecological accounting, food production, manufacturing processes and global logistics, will change the rules of the economy as we know it.

ECOLOGICAL ACCOUNTING IN THE SEA SATELLITE ACCOUNT

SPEAKER: Guilherme de Lidon Guerra

Master's degree in international development and public policies from Universidade Nova de Lisboa. Research area focused on the design of integrated policies for the sea.

PRESENTATION SUMMARY:

We all benefit from the air we breathe, the water we drink and the unique landscape of our coastline, but do we place a value on all these services provided by marine ecosystems? How to interconnect ecosystems and economic activities? From these questions will emerge a conversation about the bridge between economy and ecosystems, ecological accounting. Mapping, measuring and valuing marine natural capital is the first step towards protecting it and a necessary challenge to create a basis for the design of effective public policies, drivers of sustainable development. Using the UN global guidelines as a reference, we will analyze the importance of this component in the future portuguese ocean satellite account.

SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION IN AQUACULTURE

SPEAKER: Elisabete Matos

Assistant Professor at Egas Moniz School of Health & Science. PhD in Aquaculture and Bachelor's Degree in Marine Biology. Innovation Director at Grupo Soja de Portugal (2014 to 2020) and Coordinator of the B2E Collaborative Laboratory (2020 to 2023).

PRESENTATION SUMMARY:

Aquaculture is strategic for facing the challenges of food security and preservation of marine resources. The development of innovative practices and technologies that reconcile productivity, animal welfare and environmental sustainability is urgent and is directly part of the blue economy's agenda, by valuing the responsible use of aquatic resources as a driver of economic growth, employment and innovation, without compromising the health of the ocean. We will address the use of new technologies, the circular economy and integrated multitrophic aquaculture, essential for the Sustainable Development Goals, especially those related to life below water (SDG 14), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) and innovation (SDG 9).

SUSTAINABILITY AND ESG STRATEGY FOR THE BLUE ECONOMY

SPEAKER: Tânia Oliveira

Partner at Systemic, she has worked with corporate sustainability for over 20 years, as a consultant and mentor for teams and projects in the area of ​​sustainability and communication for sustainability. She was Head of Member Relations at BCSD Portugal between 2015 and 2020.

PRESENTATION SUMMARY:

Sustainability is a fundamental strategic factor for the development of a blue economy in Portugal, which ensures the protection of marine and coastal ecosystems, while driving economic growth. Collaboration between public and private organizations, combined with effective public policies, is essential for the success of this transition. The steps for developing sustainability and ESG strategies will be explored, as well as examples of how the blue economy, combined with the preservation of the ocean and marine ecosystems, can be more resilient, innovative and inclusive.

BLUE CARBON AND ECOLOGICAL ADDITIONALITY

SPEAKER: Nuno Gaspar de Oliveira

Ecologist and professor of natural economy. Founder of NBI, specialist in Nature Positive strategies for companies and municipalities and methodologies for assessing and valuing biodiversity and ecosystem services, including carbon and Nature.

PRESENTATION SUMMARY:

Faced with the twin crises of climate and biodiversity, it is urgent to integrate Nature into economic logic. Blue carbon, associated with marine and coastal ecosystems, can be one of the most promising levers — as long as it ensures ecological additionality and generates real value for natural capital. This intervention explores how nature positive strategies and methodologies for valuing biodiversity and ecosystem services — including blue — can translate ecological functions into impact, trust and new regenerative markets.

FLOATING OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY IN PORTUGAL

SPEAKER: Tiago Morais

Bachelor and Master in Electrical and Computer Engineering. He has over 19 years of experience in the management and development of offshore renewable energy projects, with work published in strategic documents and high-impact scientific journals.

PRESENTATION SUMMARY:

Floating offshore wind energy is an emerging sector of the blue economy and one of the structuring themes of current energy policy. With vast offshore wind potential, Portugal intends to boost its vast maritime area for the production of renewable energy, attract investment and foster the development of the industry. By 2030, 2 GW is expected to be installed through capacity auctions. The first auction for offshore wind projects is under preparation. IberBlue Wind, a joint venture specializing in floating offshore wind farms, aims to contribute to positioning Portugal at the forefront of the energy transition.