A Collaborative Effort “By Mediterraneans, For the Mediterranean”
As part of the ongoing revision of the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development (MSSD) for the 2026–2035 period, UNEP/MAP and Plan Bleu emphasize the importance of integrating economic instruments and green finance into the region’s future environmental and socio-economic policies.
Given the high level of heterogeneity among Mediterranean countries, a flexible and context-specific approach is required. To address this challenge, in 2024 Plan Bleu launched an editorial project with an open call for scientific contributions on the role of green finance.
Thirteen articles were selected, discussed at a regional workshop in 2025, and then compiled into an edited volume that serves as a practical and in-depth reference for policymakers and stakeholders in the region. The project adopts a participatory approach — “by the Mediterranean, for the Mediterranean” — offering diverse perspectives and concrete solutions to sustainability challenges.
It is in this context that the new report “Environmentally Friendly Economic and Financial Instruments: A Pathway to Sustainability in the Mediterranean“ was developed by Plan Bleu under the UNEP/MAP – Barcelona Convention framework.
Led by Plan Bleu Director Robin Degron and economist Constantin Tsakas, the report reflects a collaborative and inclusive methodology that engaged more than 20 experts and authors from across the region, including the southern and eastern shores of the Mediterranean.
This is the first report of its kind in the Mediterranean region, providing an in-depth analysis of green finance and ecological economic tools that are essential for tackling the growing environmental and socio-economic challenges facing the Mediterranean basin. The report establishes direct links between fiscal policies, financial instruments, and tangible results in key sectors such as energy, water, and biodiversity.
This plurality of voices ensures that the recommendations are adapted to the diverse economic, social, and environmental contexts of the region.
Key themes of the report include the adoption of green economy tools, environmental taxation, marine biodiversity, sustainable water projects, green bonds, carbon pricing, and a Mediterranean taxonomy for sustainable activities.
The report also serves as a collective call to action, urging governments, institutions, investors, civil society, and citizens to join forces in turning environmental ambitions into concrete outcomes.
With this publication, Plan Bleu reaffirms its commitment — alongside partners and stakeholders across the Mediterranean — to building a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable region, ready to face the environmental and socio-economic challenges of the 21st century.