20 to 30%
of global greenhouse gas emissions absorbed by the oceans since the 1980s
8 million tonnes
of plactics discharged to the oceans every year
by 2050
there will be more plastics than fish in the oceans by weight, if we don't act!
Who is eligible
- Businesses
- Municipalities
- National authorities
- Partners in Europe and around the world
What is eligible
The “Blue SOS” targets the following areas:
- Sustainable coastal development and protection
- Sustainable seafood production
- Green shipping
- Blue biotechnology
Financing options
- Long-term loans and other types of financing for governments and local authorities as well as the private sector.
- Technical assistance to help the promoters prepare and implement their sustainable ocean projects.
Who is eligible
The initiative targets public and private sector projects that fight plastic waste in rivers, seas and on land.
What is eligible
The initiative targets projects on rivers and coastal cities in these fields:
- Collection, treatment, recycling and disposal of plastics and other waste.
- Improved waste management to reduce plastics and other waste in ports and harbours.
- Innovative projects that keep plastics out of the oceans or develop reusable or biodegradable plastics.
- Expanding and improving wastewater collection and treatment to keep plastics out of rivers and oceans.
- Urban stormwater management systems that prevent waste and plastics from entering waterways during rains and floods.
Financing options
- Long-term loans and other types of financing for governments and local authorities as well as the private sector.
- Technical assistance to help the promoters prepare and implement their sustainable ocean projects.
The EIB, together with the German development bank KfW group and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), has committed to provide up to EUR 2 billion in investment over the period 2018-2023. The Clean Oceans Initiative supports public and private sector in implementing sustainable projects that reduce or avoid plastics and other waste and clean up waste and wastewater before it reaches the ocean. As of October 2019, the initiative has already met more than a third of its investment target.
Our partners:
