Corporate sustainability in the offshore wind sector: regulatory innovation for the implementation of the blue economy in Brazil from the perspective of experts

Abstract

The offshore wind energy sector is one of the strategic segments for the implementation of the Blue Economy in Brazil. Due to information asymmetry throughout its production chain, the absence of regulation in the national Legal Framework, and the coexistence of norms and bodies without clear scope and attributions, the segment recommends an innovative regulatory design capable of fostering economic development and stimulating corporate sustainability. In this scenario, this article aims to empirically validate a Due Diligence Framework in corporate sustainability, inspired by the pillars of the European Directive (EU) 2024/1760, directed at brazilian offshore wind projects. The methodology adopted an approach based on Design Thinking, encompassing stages of empathy, definition, ideation, prototyping, and validation through an Expert Panel, structured under the Quintuple Helix of Innovation model, using the Likert Scale to measure the feasibility and desirability of the proposed measures. The results indicate a high degree of consensus regarding the viability of the Framework and conclude that the incorporation of international sustainability standards as a reference for environmental licensing and/or certifications for the Brazilian offshore wind sector is a regulatory innovation tool that contributes to the implementation of the Blue Economy.