A Blue Finance Career Pathway combines financial roles with ocean conservation and sustainable marine resource management, offering opportunities in areas like sustainable fisheries investment and coastal development for students interested in merging financial expertise with environmental stewardship.
Resources
Curriculum
Videos
Presentation
Portugal’s Blue Economy
Careers
Entry-Level Jobs
Analyst, Impact/Sustainable Investing
Analyst, Impact/Sustainable Investing
Entry-Level
Tasks / Responsibilities
Climate risk analysis, sustainable investing.
Work closely with research analysts, portfolio managers, and other members of the investment division across asset classes, including equities, fixed income, and alternative assets.
Develop Blue/sustainable investing expertise as a climate change subject matter expert, covering both external market trends and internal practices.
Conduct research to identify potential investments and opportunities, and emerging trends within the blue economy that align with the company's sustainability goals and financial objectives.
Monitor financial risks associated with blue economy projects, including market volatility, policy changes, and environmental risks.
Collaborate on the development and maintenance of financial models to evaluate investment options and monitor portfolio performance.
Stay up-to-date with market dynamics and regulatory changes that affect investments in sustainable or blue economy sectors.
Work Experience
No prior experience necessary for entry-level positions.
Certificates, Internships or coursework in related fields can be helpful.
Education
Bachelor's degree in Sustainability, Business, Finance, Economics, Maths, Environmental Finance, or a related field (or equivalent experience or qualification) is essential.
$55,000 - $95,000 annually (varies by region and company).
Job Projections
As the blue economy continues to grow and impact investing becomes more mainstream, demand for professionals in this field is expected to rise. The global market for Impact Investing was valued at USD 102.4 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 292.8 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 19.1% from 2024 to 2030.
$40,000--$70,000 annually (varies by region and company).
Job Projections
This economy has been growing globally and is contributing approximately $1.5 trillion per year globally and providing over 30 million jobs, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. It is expected to grow to $3 trillion by 2030. The U.S. also has a robust blue economy that "contributed a total of $476 billion in economic impact in 2022, making up nearly 2% of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP)," said the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). "It generated $777 billion in sales, and supported 2.4 million jobs in 2022." Approximately 127 million people or 40% of the U.S. population live in coastal communities. The blue economy relies on three main areas: ocean contribution to economies, environmental sustainability and growth opportunities for all economies. (Link)
$80,000-140,000 annually (varies by region and company).
Job Projections
The Blue Economy has been growing globally and is contributing approximately $1.5 trillion per year globally and providing over 30 million jobs, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. It is expected to grow to $3 trillion by 2030. The U.S. also has a robust blue economy that "contributed a total of $476 billion in economic impact in 2022, making up nearly 2% of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP)," said the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). "It generated $777 billion in sales, and supported 2.4 million jobs in 2022." Approximately 127 million people or 40% of the U.S. population live in coastal communities. The blue economy relies on three main areas: ocean contribution to economies, environmental sustainability and growth opportunities for all economies. (Link)
Contribute to impactful research that explores the implementation of sustainable finance strategies
Research
Manage research budget and raise funding
Supervise research students
Contribute to existing research projects and help create new ones on Sustainable Finance
Collaborate with faculty, researchers, and students to develop research methodologies
Assist with academic papers, research reports, and policy briefs on sustainable finance topics for publication in peer-reviewed journals and dissemination in academic and industry forums.
Work Experience
3-5 years work experience
Education
Master's degree or PhD in Finance, Sustainable Finance, Environmental Economics, Econometrics, or related field.
$100,000 - $140,000 annually (varies by region and company).
Job Projections
The Blue Economy has been growing globally and is contributing approximately $1.5 trillion per year globally and providing over 30 million jobs, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. It is expected to grow to $3 trillion by 2030. The U.S. also has a robust blue economy that "contributed a total of $476 billion in economic impact in 2022, making up nearly 2% of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP)," said the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). "It generated $777 billion in sales, and supported 2.4 million jobs in 2022." Approximately 127 million people or 40% of the U.S. population live in coastal communities. The blue economy relies on three main areas: ocean contribution to economies, environmental sustainability and growth opportunities for all economies. (Link)
Identify, evaluate, and make investment decisions in high-potential blue economy startups
Attend key industry events and develop a strong network to discover new ventures and stay ahead of market trends.
Lead the due diligence process for potential investments, evaluating business models, financial performance, team capabilities, market potential, and environmental impact.
Perform risk assessments and provide recommendations on whether to invest, focusing on financial sustainability, scalability, and alignment with impact goals.
Manage a portfolio of blue economy startups
Work Experience
10+ years work experience
Education
Master's Degree or Ph.D in Engineering, Computer Science, Marine Technology or a related technical field.
$150,000 - $350,000 annually (varies by region and company).
Job Projections
The Blue Economy has been growing globally and is contributing approximately $1.5 trillion per year globally and providing over 30 million jobs, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. It is expected to grow to $3 trillion by 2030. The U.S. also has a robust blue economy that "contributed a total of $476 billion in economic impact in 2022, making up nearly 2% of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP)," said the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). "It generated $777 billion in sales, and supported 2.4 million jobs in 2022." Approximately 127 million people or 40% of the U.S. population live in coastal communities. The blue economy relies on three main areas: ocean contribution to economies, environmental sustainability and growth opportunities for all economies. (Link)
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