Shades of blue in financing: Transforming the ocean economy with blue bonds

Purpose To provide an overview of how blue bonds can have a transformative impact on the blue- and ocean-based economies. Design/methodology/approach This article provides an overview of what a blue bond is, the process for issuing a blue bond, the transformative effects blue bonds can have on ocean economies, and the areas ocean economies should focus on to attract investors and catalyze investment into their ocean economies. Findings This article concludes blue bonds present an opportunity to not only achieve strong financial returns but to also contribute to a meaningful environmental and social impact on ocean economies. As the public and private sectors develop initiatives to catalyze investment into ocean initiatives, it is likely the investment community will eagerly adopt blue bonds into the suite of sustainable finance products, driving greater investment into ocean economies and supporting the health of our oceans. Practical implications One of the key constraints for blue-bond growth is the lack of familiarity to this product among market participants. Unlike its other ESG-labeled counterparts, blue bonds are not regulated by a set of principles such as those prescribed by the International Capital Markets Association (ICMA). Clarifying the alignment of globally recognized standards such as the ICMA principles and its correlation to blue financing may help ocean industries to achieve greater recognition within the sustainable bond market framework and can make the market aware of important characteristics of ocean industries, including differing risks and opportunities. Originality/value Practical guidance from experienced lawyers in ESG bonds and blue economy initiatives.