Establishing a dedicated coordination framework for marine biodiversity#
Description#
General description
Effective marine biodiversity conservation needs a coordinated approach across jurisdictions and sectors. However, fragmented governance structures and the absence of dedicated coordination frameworks often hinder the implementation of comprehensive biodiversity policies (European Commission, 2020; IPBES, 2019). To address this, the proposed solution advocates for the establishment of a dedicated coordination framework—or the strengthening of existing structures—focused specifically on marine biodiversity.
This framework would facilitate regular inter-jurisdictional meetings and policy sessions, fostering collaboration among stakeholders and ensuring that biodiversity priorities are consistently integrated into decision-making processes (Ehler & Douvere, 2009; UNEP, 2021). By enhancing coordination, the framework would streamline efforts, reduce duplication, and align actions with national and international biodiversity goals, such as those outlined in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (CBD, 2022). This approach promotes a more cohesive and effective strategy for marine biodiversity conservation.
Main purpose To improve coordination and policy coherence for marine biodiversity conservation, the following actions are recommended:
Establish a dedicated coordination framework or strengthen existing structures to focus exclusively on marine biodiversity.
Facilitate regular inter-jurisdictional meetings and policy sessions to align efforts across relevant authorities.
Enhance cross-sectoral collaboration and data sharing to support informed decision-making.
Barriers addressed:
- Fragmented governance structures:
Lack of a centralized body to coordinate biodiversity-related initiatives.
Duplication of efforts and inconsistent policy implementation.
Limited communication between local, regional, and national authorities.
- Insufficient stakeholder engagement:
Weak engagement with key stakeholders, including local communities and industry representatives.
Lack of structured forums for dialogue and collaboration.
- Policy incoherence:
Divergent policies and conflicting priorities across jurisdictions.
Limited integration of biodiversity considerations into broader maritime planning frameworks.
Policy relevance: This solution directly supports the EUBS2030, which calls for enhanced governance and coordination to achieve biodiversity targets, including the protection of 30% of European seas. By establishing a dedicated framework, this policy solution promotes better alignment with the biodiversity policies, including the MSFD and the MSP Directive. It also contributes to the ecosystem-based approach outlined in EU directives, ensuring that biodiversity considerations are embedded within national and regional maritime planning processes. Implementation
Developing the coordination framework: A dedicated coordination framework should be established through legislative or policy amendments, ensuring clear mandates, roles, and responsibilities for relevant authorities. This framework should facilitate inter-jurisdictional coordination and provide a platform for stakeholder engagement. Regular inter-jurisdictional meetings and policy sessions: Coordination efforts should include periodic meetings involving national, regional, and local authorities to align objectives, review progress, and address emerging challenges in marine biodiversity conservation.
Cross-sectoral collaboration and data sharing: Encouraging collaboration among environmental agencies, fisheries, tourism, and maritime sectors is crucial for integrated management. Establishing shared databases and decision-support tools can enhance data-driven policymaking.
Impact and effort: Impact: High The proposed solution has the potential to significantly enhance marine biodiversity conservation by improving policy coherence, fostering stakeholder engagement, and ensuring efficient resource allocation. Enhanced coordination will lead to better alignment of national and regional priorities, contributing to broader sustainability goals. Required effort: Moderate Implementing this solution requires moderate effort, involving policy adjustments, stakeholder consultations, and capacity-building initiatives. While establishing new structures may take time, leveraging existing frameworks can reduce implementation complexity and accelerate progress toward achieving biodiversity targets. Establish a coordination framework for marine biodiversity: good practices Cross-sector policy alignment: The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region includes a dedicated policy area for spatial planning, which supports the integration of biodiversity considerations into MSP and sectoral policies. The EU Biodiversity Platform offers implementation roadmaps and guidance to align national policies with regional biodiversity objectives, promoting knowledge-sharing and capacity building across countries. Inter-ministerial coordination mechanisms: Regional Sea examples, such as the Baltic Sea HELCOM-VASAB MSP and BioDiv working groups demonstrate how regional bodies can facilitate cooperation across jurisdictions to align biodiversity policies with MSP processes. At national level, France and Italy facilitate cooperation between ministries by aligning marine conservation strategies with economic policies. The Barcelona Convention facilitates cross-border coordination between EU and non-EU countries on marine biodiversity, ensuring integrated policymaking at the Mediterranean level. Germany’s inter-agency working groups on MSP and biodiversity provide a model for structured, ongoing collaboration between national ministries and regional stakeholders. Collaboration between EU institutions: Regular dialogue and coordination between the European Commission’s DGs (such as DG Environment and DG MARE) create opportunities for enhanced policy coherence, linking biodiversity conservation targets to maritime policies The Greater North Sea Basin Initiative (GNSBI): This initiative brings together stakeholders from multiple North Sea countries to collaborate on MSP, biodiversity conservation, and addressing shared environmental challenges OSPAR Commission’s coordination efforts: The OSPAR network fosters international cooperation for the conservation of the North-East Atlantic through regional assessments, joint monitoring programs, and policy formulation to address transboundary environmental challenges. Barcelona Convention’s institutional coordination framework: The convention’s compliance mechanisms and reporting systems provide valuable insights into how inter-jurisdictional cooperation can be structured to promote biodiversity conservation across multiple national boundaries. Stakeholder engagement platforms: The Barcelona Convention has established a working group to support an ecosystem-based approach in MSP, fostering collaboration between different authorities and ensuring biodiversity integration across the Mediterranean region.