EC Issues Report on Europe's Integrated Maritime Policy
October 16, 2009 // Published as a news service by IHS
On Oct. 15, the European Commission (EC) issued a progress report outlining the achievements of the Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP) over the past two years in the European Union (EU).
The EC also tabled proposals and issued documents on two major IMP issues - the international dimension of Europe's maritime policy plus the integration of maritime surveillance across sectors and countries.
Taken together, the EC said these three documents provide compelling evidence of how the IMP can unlock the economic potential of Europe's vast maritime and coastal areas, while making its seas safer and more secure through streamlined new governance and by exploiting synergies across the full range of sea-related policies.
At the same time, the EC answered the following frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the IMP and its progress report.
What does the IMP progress report include?
The progress report sets out the achievements of the Integrated Maritime Policy since its creation in 2007.
The report also outlines the next phase of the IMP, which should feature more structured stakeholder involvement, strong integration of the IMP into other EU policies and EU institutions, and, most importantly, coordinated responses to the challenges arising from climate change and the current economic crisis.
This report was requested by the European Council of Dec. 14, 2007.
What are the origins of the IMP? How has it evolved?
The IMP was defined by the EC in 2007 through the so-called "blue paper" and the accompanying action plan, following an extensive year-long consultation with stakeholders and the general public.
The response was overwhelming and confirmed the necessity for an Integrated Maritime Policy for the EU. Stakeholders agreed that EU policies affecting seas and coasts must be coordinated in order to yield the best results and avoid conflicts.
Since then, the IMP has grown into a stable and dynamic framework for a wide range of policy actions and dialogues. It allows the EC, EU member states and regions to turn today's economic and environmental challenges into tomorrow's opportunities through better knowledge, planning and surveillance.
It functions as a hub and a catalyst for all EU sea-related policies; it enhances synergies and stimulates joint initiatives that may not have happened otherwise. Its unique governance structure, with a steering group of 10 commissioners and its inter-services working group, is being emulated by national, regional and local authorities, resulting in more effective measures and increased involvement of citizens and economic actors.
Through its open and transparent structure and commitment to continuous stakeholder involvement, the EC said the IMP can provide answers to today's most pressing maritime issues, such as climate change mitigation and adaptation, sustainable energy supply, and the global economic crisis that began in 2008 and that is affecting the maritime industries in a serious way.
What are the main achievements of the IMP so far?
The action plan from 2007 set out a particularly ambitious work program. It included new working methods, cross-cutting tools and a wide range of specific actions that aimed to benefit the maritime economy, protect the marine environment, strengthen marine and maritime research and innovation, foster economic development in coastal and outermost regions, address international maritime affairs, and raise the visibility of Europe's maritime dimension.
According to the EC, all these areas have seen good progress and all actions announced are on track, as documented in the present report. Out of 65 actions in the action plan, 56 have been completed or launched, some with only minor delays. That leaves only nine actions for which no documents have been adopted yet. In addition, the EC has launched a number of maritime activities not originally included in the action plan.
The report provided information and references for a total of 62 items related to the Integrated Maritime Policy, ranging from awareness-raising measures to legislative acts. The actions are divided into the following areas:
- Maritime governance (8 items)
- Activities in relation to specific sea basins (8 items)
- Tools for integrated policy-making (3 items)
- Maximizing the sustainable use of the oceans and seas (29 items)
- Building a knowledge and innovation base for maritime policy (2 items)
- Delivering the highest quality of life in coastal regions (5 items)
- Promoting Europe's leadership in international maritime affairs (3 items)
- Raising the visibility of maritime Europe (4 items).
What will happen during the next phase of the IMP?
In the second phase, the EC and EU member states are focusing on implementing the policies, strategies and instruments that arose from the blue paper and its action plan. The report set out the following six priority areas for the future, which are detailed below:
- Integrated maritime governance
- Cross-cutting tools
- Sustainability
- Economic growth
- Sea basin strategies
- International dimension
Integrated Maritime Governance
Enhancing integrated maritime governance is a priority, one that requires continued internal coordination and working closely with EU member states, regions and a wide array of stakeholders.
In light of dynamic changes towards more integration, not just in Europe, but also, for example, in the U.S., there is ample scope to encourage common learning and joint definition of best practices. This could be carried out through a dialogue with EU member states, as well as in other contexts, such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
Cross-cutting Tools
The cross-sectoral instruments of the IMP will be further developed on the basis of the results obtained in the pilot phase. At the time these instruments were first conceived, the economy was growing and industry was facing resource shortages. Since the situation now is different, more attention needs to be given to how the EU can relaunch economic growth.
Maritime spatial planning already provides better predictability for long-term investment projects. This can be complemented by measures to rationalize planning of new projects, such as the introduction of a single impact assessment to large-scale cross-border projects in sea basins.
The EC adopted a communication on an integrated approach to maritime surveillance on Oct. 15; for details, see MEMO/09/454.
Sustainability
The Marine Strategy Framework Directive is the vital environmental component of the EU's maritime policy, and is designed to achieve the full economic potential of EU oceans and seas in harmony with the marine environment.
The strategy's aim is to more effectively protect the marine environment across Europe - the resource base upon which marine-related economic and social activities depend. Each member state - in cooperation with its maritime neighbors, including non-EU countries - is required to develop strategies for its marine waters. These strategies must contain a detailed assessment of the state of the environment, a definition of "good environmental status" at the regional level and the establishment of clear environmental targets and monitoring programs of cost-effective measures.
Defining boundaries of sustainability will help all maritime activities to develop with greater regard for their cumulative impacts on the environment.
Economic Growth
The European Community needs to support sustainable economic growth for maritime activities through further exploration of the possibilities linked to marine resources, including deep-sea ocean technologies, emerging markets and industrial innovation, as well as through the cross-sectoral "cluster" approach to maritime economic activities. Economic growth can also be stimulated through encouraging eco-tourism and tourism linked to the conservation of natural and/or cultural maritime heritage.
Reinvigorating economic activity must be coupled with new quality standards in terms of sustainability. This could entail, for example, a scheme to replace older ships, leading to more efficient and less polluting maritime transport, while providing impetus for European shipbuilding.
Another new opportunity for improved coordination is the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. The coordination mechanism of the Integrated Maritime Policy will make it easier to align priorities and actions in the field of fisheries with development in maritime regions, with the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and with employment issues.
Sea Basin Strategies
The sea basin approach should be enhanced to address the specific maritime challenges and priorities in Europe's sea basins, which differ in their geophysical, political and socio-economic composition. Future initiatives should be defined in synergy with other policies, such as territorial cohesion and funding instruments.
The EC has already adopted regional integrated approaches for the Arctic (see IP/08/1750 and MEMO/08/726), the Baltic Sea region (see IP/09/893) and the Mediterranean (see IP/09/1305 and MEMO/09/387).
International Dimension
In view of the global nature of many maritime issues, the European maritime agenda should be promoted actively through relevant international forums, such as the the U.N. Convention for the Law of the Sea and the International Maritime Organization. The EC also adopted a communication on this issue on Oct. 15; for details, see MEMO/09/453.
Where can I find more information?
For more information, see the EC's web page on Maritime Policy Actions.
Source: European Commission (EC).