The European Commission (EC) recently announced its adoption of a significant policy framework, earmarking €1 billion towards the European Ocean Pact. This initiative is crafted to provide a cohesive structure for European Union (EU) policies with specific goals to protect marine environments and bolster the blue economy.
The European Ocean Pact is pioneering in its approach, establishing a unified policy terrain for EU member states. The Pact focuses on six overarching priorities:
- Protecting and restoring ocean health;
- Boosting the sustainable competitiveness of the blue economy;
- Supporting coastal, island communities, and outermost regions;
- Advancing ocean research, knowledge, skills, and innovation;
- Enhancing maritime security and defense; and
- Strengthening EU Ocean diplomacy and international governance.
The EU aims to introduce new strategies and revise existing policies within these priority areas. The Ocean Pact will be accompanied by the Ocean Act, targeted for introduction by 2027. Additionally, the commission plans to establish a “high-level Ocean Board” and launch an “EU Ocean Pact dashboard” to ensure transparency and continuous progress.
EC President Ursula von der Leyen stressed the Pact’s vital role for coastal communities facing climate change implications and risks from illegal fishing. She underscored the EU’s collaborative efforts with regions like the Mediterranean, Western Africa, and the Pacific in remedying these issues. Von der Leyen also highlighted commitment to environmental targets, aiming to cut plastic and nutrient pollution by half within five years and restore 20% of Europe’s marine ecosystems by 2030.
Reaction from environmental NGOs has been reserved, as they have warned that the non-binding nature of the framework does not deliver the urgent binding actions they deem essential. These organizations have welcomed the European Ocean Act and call for immediate implementation of existing obligations and legally binding targets.
For a detailed exploration of the Commission’s announcement, readers can view the full press release here.