Tensions between the carbon, employment and value added generated by marine sectors: Triple bottom line analysis using a novel input–output table for the UK

Abstract

AbstractEffective coordination of activities within marine areas is crucial for achieving economic, social and environmental goals. However, the socio‐economic and environmental objectives of the marine economy often come into conflict. Consequently, marine policies need to confront and manage these conflicts. In this paper, we provide empirical insights into conflicts between the marine economy and the marine environment, based on the triple bottom line (TBL) foundations, by constructing a highly detailed marine input–output model for the United Kingdom. The model has 20 marine focussed sectors, including 8 fishing fleet segments. We apply the model to an empirical analysis of potential conflicts between greenhouse emissions, employment and gross value added (GVA) in marine‐focussed industries. Based on this empirical work, we identify various clusters of marine sectors with different connections between environmental and socio‐economic objectives and propose different policy approaches to them. Research findings indicate that certain industries have the capacity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously generating employment opportunities. Conversely, there are specific sectors that may not offer the same potential for expansion without causing significant environmental harm or providing minimal economic benefits in terms of employment or GVA. By examining these clusters, marine planners can better understand how their marine policies affect communities and the environment on a larger scale and prioritise their efforts accordingly.