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In the debate on ecological transition, public attention often gravitates toward technologies and investments. Far less frequently do we look at fiscal policy as a tool for sustainability. Yet, according to a study by Benedetta Coluccia and Pasquale Sasso for the Agrifood Tech & Innovation Observatory of Pegaso Digital University, part of the green shift could begin precisely there: in the rules that govern taxation.
The idea is as simple as it is disruptive.
What if taxes were not merely a mechanism to finance public spending, but a means to influence economic and social choices? This is the logic behind mission-oriented taxation, inspired by the theories of economist Mariana Mazzucato, who argues that states can use fiscal tools to pursue collective goals. Coluccia and Sasso bring this perspective into the field of the Blue Economy, showing that fiscal leverage can stimulate innovation and sustainable practices when framed as a development strategy rather than a budget constraint.
A revealing example: the hidden potential of oysters
To illustrate their vision, the researchers use an unexpected case: Italian oyster farming. A small sector in terms of volume, yet rich in meaning. Oysters are not just a premium food. Each specimen filters several liters of water per hour, cleans seabeds, reduces pollution and promotes marine biodiversity. Every oyster farm functions as a small, living ecological infrastructure.
Yet the Italian tax system does not recognize this value. Oysters are taxed with a 22% VAT rate—the same applied to luxury goods. In France, Portugal or the Netherlands, the rate varies between 6% and 10%. The gap matters: Italy produces around 300 tons per year, compared to over 90,000 in France. A potentially strategic supply chain for both the environment and coastal economies is left on the margins.
Although still limited in overall production, Italian oyster farming represents a niche excellence of Made in Italy. Production stands out for quality, traceability and gastronomic value, with one of the highest unit values globally, calculated by comparing average market price and output volume. This reflects the strong qualitative positioning of Italian oysters, raised in pristine waters with sustainable methods.
Despite this, the fiscal system acknowledges neither their environmental impact nor their economic and cultural value. According to the study, lowering VAT—already permitted by EU Directive 2022/542 for goods with environmental value—would not be a concession but an act of coherence. It would mean recognizing oysters’ contribution to water quality and ecosystem health, and turning taxation into a true industrial policy tool capable of rewarding those who generate public value.
Toward a “blue fiscal strategy”
The proposal by Coluccia and Sasso goes far beyond oysters. It outlines a new way of imagining taxation: a system that integrates economy and environment, rewarding virtuous behaviors and discouraging harmful ones. A blue fiscal policy capable of supporting ecological transition without shifting the burden onto citizens or the most vulnerable businesses.
Their work also calls for the creation of a National Observatory on Taxation and the Blue Economy to collect data, evaluate policy impacts and guide government decisions. Alongside this, they propose establishing the OysterTech – Blue Resilience Lab, an innovation hub dedicated to sustainable aquaculture technologies. Together, these tools could help Italy overcome fragmented environmental policies and build a more coherent governance model for sustainability.
Underlying the proposal is a clear belief: taxation can be a driver of competitiveness, not just a corrective mechanism. A tax system aligned with environmental goals can generate public value, stimulate research and investment, create skilled jobs and attract talent. In this sense, taxation becomes part of the nation’s industrial strategy.
From the sea, a model for sustainable growth
The case of oysters is not an isolated episode, but a symbol of a possible paradigm shift. With 8,000 km of coastline, some of Europe’s richest marine ecosystems and a strong tradition of high-quality production, Italy is well positioned to lead the continent’s blue transition. What is needed is a vision connecting taxation, innovation and territorial development.
In the post–Green Deal era, sustainability is no longer a cost item—it is an economic choice. Blue taxation is one of the keys to turning this idea into practice. Recognizing the fiscal value of ecosystem services means transforming sustainability into a competitive advantage rather than a burden.
As Coluccia and Sasso write, “taxation is not a constraint, but a lever for change.”
A lever capable of moving the country toward a smarter, fairer and more forward-looking growth model. Perhaps the future of Italy’s Blue Economy begins right here—with an oyster that stops being a luxury and becomes a symbol of regeneration.
For more insights on the future of Italian fisheries and the blue economy, follow ongoing coverage and analysis on Pesceinrete.
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