European CommissionDG Environment

Astrid Schomaker

Head of Unit

Marine Environment and Water Industry

Integrated Coastal Management and Maritime Spatial Planning

Outline

• Coastal challenges

• MSP/ ICM: What is it about?

• EU policy framework

• Proposal for a framework Directive on MSP/ICM

• Aims of the proposal

• Main obligations

• Benefits

• State of Play

• The proposal and SUSCOD

• ICM in practice (Ourcoast)

Coastal Challenges

Coastal regions among the most populated and productive

This leads to specific problems

Coastal areas are extremely vulnerable to climate change impacts.

MSP/ICM: what is it about?

Maritime Spatial Planning focuses on mapping existing and potentialhuman activities for the purpose of preparing maritime spatial plans inmarine waters.

Instrument: Maritime Spatial Plan

Integrated Coastal Management aims for coordinated application of policyprocesses affecting the coastal zone, addressing land-sea interactions ofcoastal activities in a coordinated way with a view to ensuring theirsustainable development.

Instrument: Integrated Coastal Management Strategies

Maritime Spatial Planning

© WWF

Integrated Coastal (Zone) Management

© JRC

EU policy frameworkIntegrated Maritime Policy-Marine Directive

IMP / Blue Growth

environmental

(MSFD)

Tools (MSP/ICM, Marine Knowledge)

socialeconomic

Proposal for a Framework Directive on MSP/ICM (COM(2013) 133)

• MSP / ICM can boost maritime growthby facilitating the spatial developmentof Blue Growth sectors andaccelerating maritime investments.

• The cross-border nature of themaritime economy requirescooperation and coordination betweenMember States.

• Enhanced environmental protectionfactored in from the outset includingspace for nature

Why a joint initiative ?

MSP and ICM

• Both address the use of coastal and maritime space and management of human activities

• Both are support tools for a more integrated decision making process, coordinating potentially competing sector policies

• Both tools are multi-sector oriented

• Rely on similar key principles

• Applied jointly they will improve sea-land interface planning/management

Aims of the proposal

Establish a framework for maritime spatial planning andintegrated coastal management that promotes:

the sustainable growth of maritime and coastaleconomies and

the sustainable use of marine and coastal resources

But:

• Respect subsidiarity and MS competence for town and country planning

• Minimise need for MS with MSP/ICZM policies in place to change practices

What will Member States have to do?

Develop and implement maritime spatial plans and coastalmanagement strategies.

Mutually coordinate or integrate plans and strategies toensure land-sea connectivity.

Cooperate with MS and third countries to ensure coherentapproaches across sea-basins.

Consult stakeholders.

Benefits of MSP/ICM proposal

• Economic: Reduced costs and increased certainty for private investments.

• Environmental: Reduced pressures on environment and improved biodiversity conservation and resilience to climate change.

• Social: Improved engagement of population and stakeholders and improved political cooperation climate.

• Provides predictability, stability, transparency through EU wide implementation of MSP/ICM

• Allows flexibility to apply existing MSP/ICM approaches

• Ensures trans-boundary cooperation

• Safeguards proportionality and subsidiarity

State of Play

• The Commission tabled its proposal in March 2013

• The file is currently being discussed in Council and European Parliament (co-decision)

• If Council and Parliament manage a 'first reading agreement' early 2014 (before elections), publication in 2014 is stillpossible

• If not, the file needs further discussion once the new Parliament is in place

The proposal and

• Commission proposal sets the 'procedural frame' for ICM strategies

• MS reponsible for the substantial content of ICM strategies

• Discussions in the ICM expert group meetings show a high need for practical guidance and tools to elaborate strategies

The SUSCOD ICZM assistant is such a tool for local authorities and practitioners to develop strategies

ICM in practice

• Exchange of experiences and best practices=> database of about 350 cases

• Key themes include:

• Adaptation to coastal risks and climate change

• Planning and land management instruments

• Institutional coordination mechanisms

• Information and communication

http://ec.europa.eu/ourcoast

• The SUSCOD ICZM assistant has been integratedin OURCOAST

Littoral 2012 - 27 November 2012

Thank you for your attention

More background information at:

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/iczm/home.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/policy

Contact

Astrid.Schomaker@ec.europa.eu

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