The blue economy is increasingly becoming an ESG issue.
Climate adaptation, biodiversity protection, responsible use of natural capital and technology-enabled governance are all converging at sea. In this context, Livorno is emerging as a living ESG laboratory, where research and innovation directly support environmental resilience and sustainable decision-making.
On 18 December 2025, the CITEM – Center for Innovation in Marine Technologies presented the results of its 2025 research activities during a public event held at the Scoglio della Regina in Livorno. The initiative brought together research institutions, universities and public authorities to discuss how science can guide the sustainable management of marine and coastal systems.
Livorno has developed a concentrated research ecosystem focused on the environmental dimension of the blue economy. Rather than operating in silos, national research institutes and universities collaborate on shared challenges: climate risk, biodiversity loss, pollution, coastal erosion and sustainable maritime systems. Promoted by the Municipality of Livorno, CITEM integrates scientific expertise, advanced technologies and applied research to support evidence-based governance of marine ecosystems. The focus is not only on innovation, but on measurable environmental impact and long-term system resilience.
Collaboration as an ESG Enabler
A defining feature of the Livorno model is cross-institutional collaboration, a core governance principle in ESG frameworks. In 2025, research centers operating within CITEM worked jointly on projects addressing ecosystem protection, monitoring and adaptation.
Among the speakers at the event were Francesco Serafino (CNR-IBE), David Pellegrini (ISPRA), Paolo Sartor (CIBM), Rossella Mocari (LaMMA), Paolo Pagano (CNIT), Simone Libralato (OGS), Nicola Castellano (Logistics Systems Hub, University of Pisa), and Marcello Calisti (Institute of BioRobotics, Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies).
Research activities covered:
- Biodiversity protection and ecosystem restoration, including sustainable aquaculture and invasive species monitoring.
- Marine and coastal environmental monitoring, with a focus on pollution, plastics, habitats and water quality.
- Climate risk assessment and digital twins, supporting preventive action and adaptive coastal management.
- Sustainable logistics and maritime systems, integrating environmental considerations into transport and port operations.
In the Livorno ecosystem, technology is not an end in itself but a tool for environmental stewardship:
The Institute of BioRobotics of the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies is developing bio-inspired robotic systems that enable non-invasive monitoring of marine environments and improve safety in maritime operations.
The National Inter-University Consortium for Telecommunications (CNIT) contributes to digital navigation and smart logistics, enhancing transparency, traceability and efficiency in maritime supply chains — key elements of responsible governance.
At the same time, institutions such as ISPRA, LaMMA, OGS, CIBM and CNR-IBE are advancing integrated scientific approaches that combine field data, modelling and digital tools to understand ecosystem dynamics and support sustainable policy choices.
Environmental sustainability cannot be achieved without public awareness and shared responsibility. For this reason, CITEM is strengthening its engagement with citizens, schools and local communities, opening research activities to the public and promoting scientific literacy. Planned initiatives include public events and open days, such as ISPRA’s open day scheduled for 25 September 2026, reinforcing the link between research, society and environmental accountability.
Livorno’s experience shows how ESG principles can be operationalized in the blue economy: placing ecosystems at the center, using science to guide decisions, and fostering collaboration across institutions. It is a model where innovation supports resilience, and sustainability becomes a measurable, systemic outcome rather than a slogan.