Center for Coastal & Marine Studies
Publication of the European Commission's report on the implementation of the Maritime Spatial Planning directive
4 May, 2022
The European Commission has published a report on the implementation of the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive, which sets the obligation for the 22 coastal Member States to establish maritime spatial plans by 31 March 2021 at the latest. While the majority of the coastal Member States now have a maritime spatial plan in place, eight countries did not make sufficient progress. The report furthermore concludes that Maritime Spatial Planning is an effective and strategic tool to coordinate the different activities at sea and prevent conflicts over the use of maritime space. The EU remains global leader in this area.
The report recalls the objectives of the Directive and describes the support that the Commission has provided to Member States in implementing the Directive, notably through the European MSP Platform (https://maritime-spatial-planning.ec.europa.eu), a dedicated Member States’ expert group, and support to cross-border cooperation on MSP in all European sea basins through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) and other EU funds.
The transposition obligations of the Directive are twofold: (1) its transposition into national law and designation of competent authorities by 18 September 2016; (2) the establishment of maritime spatial plans at the latest by 31 March 2021.
Carbon stocks and sequestration in terrestrial and marine ecosystems: a lever for nature restoration?
A scoping analysis by the EEA and Wageningen University & Research is the first attempt to classify the different European Nature Information Network (EUNIS) habitat types of terrestrial and marine ecosystems according to their carbon stocks and carbon sequestration capacities. The study aims to create a baseline for further analysis, linking habitat types with carbon storage and sequestration capacities to support nature restoration and conservation, as well as climate mitigation policies. The data and findings presented are based on a literature review, expert knowledge and interpretation of existing studies from inside and, in some cases, outside the 27 EU Member States (EU-27).
Climate change mitigation and nature restoration are two sides of the same coin when it comes to achieving two main objectives of the European Green Deal; climate neutrality and increasing the EU’s natural capital. Well-functioning habitats can take up and store large amounts of carbon, reducing atmospheric CO2 levels and greenhouse gas emissions from land use practices. To use nature’s full potential, we need to know (1) the carbon storage and sequestration potential of European habitats in their present condition and how much carbon can be used to meet EU emissions policy targets; and (2) the measures available to increase carbon storage in habitats, and the synergies and trade-offs between these measures and ecosystem function. The EEA briefing addresses these questions.
New study on MSP Tools and Guidance
CCMS took part and contributed to Bulgaria`s case study in the recently published European Commission`s study on tools and guidance documents for MSP Practitioners and other interested parties in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of MSP. CCMS expert participated also in the review meeting organised to validate the findings with external experts.
Toolbox for monitoring, evaluation and revision of MSP, February 2022
The objective of the study is to provide guidance to administrators in monitoring, evaluating and revising their maritime spatial plans, in particular in the context of the implementation of the Directive 2014/89/EU on Maritime Spatial Planning (or MSP Directive). To this end, the project provides a “guide” and a “toolbox”. The guide aims to enable EU Member States administrations to assess progress in the implementation of the EU MSP Directive. Key issues are identified that Member States could consider when establishing and executing their maritime spatial plans including, but not limited to, the requirement formulated in Directive 2014/89/EU and the intricate relations between Directive 2014/89/EU and other EU Directives. The toolbox is a comprehensive set of methods and tools that national administrations can draw upon when monitoring, evaluating and/or revising their maritime spatial plans.
SAVE THE DATE: 26 April WWF and S&D webinar on offshore renewable energy
WWF, together with MEP César Luena, European Commission and Chris Davies, invite you to RSVP for this webinar on 26 April 2022, 9:30am - 11:00am CEST.
Offshore renewable energy constitutes an essential part of the EU’s energy transition towards a resilient and fully decarbonised economy, and is indispensable in achieving a climate neutral Europe. However, offshore renewable energy must also be seen through the lens of other activities, particularly safeguarding biodiversity, which is already under pressure from other activities and whose loss contributes to the climate crisis.
We stand at a critical juncture, where policymakers determine the best way forward for harmonious offshore renewable growth and biodiversity recovery. Offshore renewable energy development will only achieve its objective of supporting the EU’s transition towards truly sustainable societies if it offers solutions for the climate crisis that are fully compatible and contribute to a healthy sea, well-being of coastal communities, forward-looking maritime spatial planning, ocean resilience and a just energy transition.
