Intesa Sanpaolo and SDA Bocconi School of Management have introduced the Blue Economy Monitor, an initiative aimed at analyzing the marine economy and its development trends. The program was launched in Milan, with a focus on two initial studies covering Blue Natural Capital and Sustainable Mobility.
The Blue Economy Monitor seeks to raise awareness about opportunities for sustainable growth and employment within the marine sector, emphasizing Italy’s potential to play a leading role internationally. According to Intesa Sanpaolo, effective collaboration between institutions, businesses, universities, and the research community is necessary to foster innovation and prepare future generations for changes in this field.
The first study examines Blue Natural Capital—the sum of marine and coastal resources that offer ecological, social, and economic benefits. The report notes that globally these assets are valued at over USD 24 trillion, with annual economic flows expected to reach up to USD 3 trillion by 2030. In Italy alone, the marine economy contributed EUR 64.6 billion in gross value added in 2022 and supported more than one million jobs. Italy ranks among the top five EU member states for its contribution to this sector.
Emerging areas such as marine renewable energy (notably offshore wind), blue biotechnology, digital solutions for ecosystem management, and sustainable infrastructure present significant growth prospects. Marine Protected Areas demonstrate that conservation efforts can yield economic returns greater than their costs by encouraging sustainable tourism and job creation. The study calls for an integrated approach involving long-term planning, stable regulation, and innovative financing mechanisms like blue bonds.
The second study addresses sustainable mobility within maritime transport—a critical sector both nationally and globally—focusing on decarbonization efforts. Recommendations include strengthening green procurement policies in public tenders; creating green corridors on routes such as Naples–Palermo or Livorno–Olbia; developing port infrastructure for alternative fuels; supporting carbon capture technologies onboard vessels; enhancing energy efficiency; and allocating revenues from the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) toward these initiatives. From 2026 onward, ETS revenues could generate between EUR 333 million and EUR 419 million annually for Italy.
Elisa Zambito Marsala of Intesa Sanpaolo stated: “Among the emerging trends, the blue economy and seabeds offer extraordinary growth potential for our country. Supporting research in this field means enhancing competitiveness and Italian distinctiveness, while building virtuous ecosystems where institutions, businesses and universities work together to prepare future generations for global challenges and constant transformation.”
Stefano Caselli of SDA Bocconi commented: “The blue economy expands the concept of the marine economy by integrating environmental and social sustainability principles. It focuses on the responsible use of ocean resources to foster economic growth, improve livelihoods and create jobs while safeguarding the health of marine ecosystems. We are grateful to Intesa Sanpaolo for partnering with us to address such a vital issue for the economy and the environment.”
The Blue Economy Monitor forms part of a broader effort involving partners such as Université PSL in Paris, SRM – Centro Studi e Ricerche, One Ocean Foundation, alongside industry leaders.
Intesa Sanpaolo continues its commitment to education by supporting initiatives that promote knowledge about the Blue Economy among students through educational programs designed to develop multidisciplinary skills.
At the end of September 2025,Intesa Sanpaolo reported €421 billion in loans outstanding with customer financial assets exceeding €1.4 trillion. The bank is recognized as Italy’s largest banking group with significant international operations.Intesa Sanpaolo is also noted as a European leader in wealth management with emphasis on digitalization and fintech innovation.Its Gallerie d’Italia museum network hosts cultural projects linked to its artistic heritage.
