UNCW Launches Blue Economy Index

The University of North Carolina Wilmington announces the launch of the UNC Wilmington Blue Economy Index, an equity benchmark designed to track the performance of companies involved in supporting sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, the first of its kind to be associated with the Blue Economy.

The UNC Wilmington Blue Economy Index prioritizes the companies with the strongest environmental scores within their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) rankings, reflecting their commitment to sustainable practices. The Blue Economy, defined by the World Bank, is the “sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem.”

“The index further endorses UNCW and Wilmington as a globally recognized Blue Economy hub,” said UNCW Chancellor Aswani Volety. “In developing this index at UNCW, a key intention is to attract innovators, students and financiers to the Wilmington region to help solve the environmental challenges around the oceans and sustain the economic development in coastal towns.”

The UNC Wilmington Blue Economy Index emerged from a partnership with the UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Alliance for The Blue Economy, the UNCW Cameron School of Business, and FactSet. This collaboration brings together academics, science and business to create a unique product that brings awareness to a global concern about ocean preservation and economic development. The index was developed with support from the UNCW Office of Innovation and Commercialization.

“UNCW, North Carolina’s coastal university, has world-class expertise in areas related to this index. We believe in the power of education to show that the ocean is important as a food source, for discovery, for recreation, for human health – and has one of the leading GDPs if its ‘economy' was a stand-alone country,” said Heather McWhorter, UNCW CIE director. “We expect this globally important program will contribute significantly to student and community learning about the blue economy's impact around the world.”

Visit the UNC Wilmington Blue Economy Index website for additional information.

About UNC Wilmington: UNC Wilmington, the state’s coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching and mentoring with research and service. The university serves nearly 18,000 students and offers a full range undergraduate and graduate-level programs, as well as select doctoral programs that address state needs. Learn more at www.uncw.edu.