Evaluation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) in ...

Evaluation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) in Europe – Final Report
Implementation Costs: €2.500.000.
Related actions: 6.1, 8
8.2 Harmonise monitoring and assessment methodologies
and indicators
To make data and results comparable on a regional or European
level, methodologies have to become standardised. Data
trends have to be analysed and validated, relevant parameters
have to be identified as indicators for developments of interest,
and threshold values may be defined for these indicators to
give hints for action. It is strongly recommended to continue the
valuable work of the indicator working groups in order to
support these activities within ICZM.
A thorough discussion of the parameters of the stocktake and
potential additional parameters should be started. The national
reports submitted by the countries following the recommendations
have clearly shown that economic and social parameters
were underrepresented. All three principles of sustainability
have to be considered in a balanced way, and parameters have
to be found that can be compared across all sectors.
Similar to physical or chemical thresholds and standards in
other directives (Bathing Water Directive, etc.) the EU should
strive for a framework of economic and social standards within
which coastal management can act. Working groups should be
set up by the Commission to develop such economic and social
standards similar to ecological ones and relevant for different
levels. A pre-cautionary approach should be applied and
respected when setting thresholds and recommending actions.
The EU should fund and call for a two-and-a-half year coordination
action which initially sets up and then operates working
groups for the development of economic and social standards
in coastal management.
Implementation Costs: €1.500.000.
Related actions: 6.1, 6.2, 8, 9.2
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8.3 Improve data collection and exchange
Across Europe, there are large differences regarding the
quality, availability and access to data describing the status of
the different coastal strips. While some areas are investigated
in all details and data is publicly available in good quality and
density, knowledge on other areas is poor as data is not
available or not accessible for third parties. The Commission
should make a considerable effort to improve this situation by
directing funds towards critical areas and stimulate better
exchange of data on regional and EU levels.
In this respect, stakeholders may very much benefit from the
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