Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the European Union: Prospects for a common strategy

After the experience of the 1996-1999 Demonstration Programme on Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), the European Commission has prepared a Communication to the Council and the European Parliament in which provides the justification for the implementation of ICZM in Europe. The communication recalls that the demonstration programme and the subsequent consultation phase have called for actions that could be taken at European level to implement ICZM, but have proved also that the variety of approaches to ICZM in the EU and the subsidiarity principle do not suggest a centralized strategy. Rather, ICZM could be better implemented in Europe through individual national strategies based on a common vision. Therefore, the European Commission proposes a recommendation from the European Parliament and the Council inviting the Member States to undertake stocktaking of national ICZM frameworks, adopt national strategies, and report to the Commission on the experience in implementing the recommendation. Political agreement has now been reached by Council on a common position on the proposed recommendation, which is expected to be adopted by the Parliament at the second reading.