As the Mediterranean faces increasing ecological pressures and socio-economic imbalances, the question of the effectiveness of economic and financial instruments in the sustainable transition becomes central.
Following the publication of its Edited Volume I on Environmentally Harmful Subsidies (EHS), Plan Bleu has released the summary of Edited Volume II: “Economic and Financial Tools Respectful of the Environment: A Pathway to Sustainability in the Mediterranean”, a first step toward the full report scheduled for release in October 2025.
This summary outlines a collective effort by more than 20 Mediterranean experts, gathering thirteen thirteen contributions from an open call for papers. It highlights the importance of economic tools and green finance in addressing the region’s environmental and social challenges. This is the first comprehensive exercise of this scale dedicated to these issues for the Mediterranean.
The topics covered include, among others, the effectiveness of carbon pricing instruments, financing marine biodiversity restoration, innovation driven by energy taxation, and the impacts of climate change on local finances. Financial tools for sustainable water management, the effects of green bonds on air pollution, and the social dimensions of the transition — with a particular emphasis on adapting to local realities — are also explored.
Offering a clear and structured synthesis, this document introduces concrete action pathways tailored to the diverse Mediterranean contexts. It serves as a milestone to inform ongoing strategic reflections, particularly within the framework of the revision of the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development (2026–2035).
This publication aligns with the momentum of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) and contributes to the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF),which will be held in Monaco on June 7 and 8, 2025.
