The EU’s Sustainable Blue Economy: The Role of Artificial Reefs in Achieving the Climate Neutrality Goal

This article addresses the role that artificial reefs (ARs) can play in achieving the EU’s goal of climate neutrality for the year 2050. After the publication of the Green European Deal and the communication of the Sustainable Blue Economy, the EU has made a firm commitment to a digital and ecological transition, in which the seas and oceans should play a key role in terms of climate neutrality. The design, manufacture, transport and installation of ARs present many challenges such as the conflict of legal regimes in terms of the use of marine areas, the potential support from the EU for the protection and restoration of marine ecosystems through the installation of ARs, among others. All these issues should be analysed to assess the extent to which ARs can help in the achievement of climate neutrality.