The effective integration of biodiversity considerations into marine and maritime policies as well as into Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) is crucial for achieving the EU’s environmental and sustainability objectives. Despite policy advancements, challenges such as governance fragmentation, data accessibility issues, insufficient funding, and the absence of legally binding biodiversity objectives hinder progress. This report addressed barriers and enabling factors for policy coherence identified in the project, by presenting concrete policy solutions to enhance biodiversity mainstreaming in marine and maritime policies across the EU. The proposed solutions are structured into institutional, organizational, technical, and resource-related categories, addressing key governance and implementation challenges. They focus on strengthening institutional coordination, aligning relevant policies with biodiversity targets, increasing investment in data collection and decision-support tools, integrating climate-smart approaches into MSP, and developing financial mechanisms to support long-term biodiversity initiatives. Solutions address national, regional, and EU-level interventions, ensuring a multi-level approach to policy implementation. Co-developed with project partners and validated through regional dialogues and EU-level discussions, these recommendations aim to bridge the gap between policy commitments and practical implementation. The findings underscore the need for improved policy integration, cross-border cooperation through Regional Sea Conventions, and enhanced financial and data-driven decision-making mechanisms. By adopting these solutions, MSP can evolve into a proactive tool that balances economic and conservation objectives while strengthening ecosystem resilience in the face of climate change. This deliverable provides a structured roadmap for policymakers, planners, and stakeholders to take decisive steps in ensuring the EU’s maritime spaces are managed sustainably, aligning with long-term biodiversity conservation goals.
Pinarbasi et al. (Mon,) studied this question.