Mergulhando na economia azul: indicadores para um futuro azul, inteligente e sustentável no estado do Ceará

Abstract

This doctoral thesis aims to develop and apply the Blue Economy Development Index (IDEA) as an analytical tool to assess the level of sustainable development of the blue economy in Ceará state, Brazil. The study is grounded in the understanding that the blue economy is a multidimensional phenomenon whose dynamics cannot be adequately captured through purely economic indicators, requiring the integration of social, environmental, and governance dimensions. Accordingly, the research proposes a multicriteria framework capable of articulating these dimensions in a structured, transparent, and replicable manner. Methodologically, the thesis combines a theoretical review of the blue economy, agency theory, and common-pool resources theory, with a bibliometric analysis of the international scientific literature on blue economy indices, and the application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The AHP is employed to define the hierarchical structure of criteria, sub-criteria, and structural weights of the index, based on expert judgments drawn from different segments of the blue economy. The state of Ceará is adopted as a case study, focusing on four strategic sectors: fisheries and aquaculture, renewable energy, coastal tourism, and ports. The IDEA is constructed through two complementary perspectives: the structural dimension reflects the normative importance assigned to sectors and sustainability pillars, while the empirical dimension incorporates normalized indicators that capture the observed performance of the analyzed sectors. The results highlight the central role of fisheries and aquaculture and renewable energy within Ceará’s blue economy, while also revealing significant gaps between strategic relevance and empirical performance, particularly in the environmental and governance dimensions. The resulting global index underscores persistent structural challenges that constrain the full realization of the blue economy’s potential in the state. The thesis concludes that the IDEA constitutes a robust decision-support tool for public policymaking, territorial planning, and the assessment of sustainable blue economy development, with strong potential for adaptation and application in other territories.