Berlin 2004
12th Annual Conference, Berlin, 14-16 October 2004
of the European Environment and Sustainable Development Advisory Councils EEAC
Towards a European Policy on the Marine Environment
Hosted by the German Advisory Council on the Environment (SRU) in co-operation with the German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE) and the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU).
Download the conference flyer with map
Background
The marine environment is under stress. Whilst some reduction in human pressure has been achieved over the last 25 years, a number of problems remain largely unsolved and additional human impacts have lead to an increase in the pressure. Fishing, agriculture, shipping and chemicals are the major source of the overuse of the marine environment as an ultimate sink. Raw material encroachments, mariculture, tourism and the dynamic growth of offshore use of wind energy may add further threats to the marine environment.
Even though the international marine conventions achieved consensus on the need for action and identified key targets, policy implementation at EU, national levels and regional levels need to be considerably improved.
European Union thematic strategy on the marine environment
The commitment of the EU to elaborate a thematic strategy on the marine environment by 2005 is a unique opportunity to address those challenges and to strengthen the policy profile of the marine protection agenda.
In 2004, the German Advisory Council on the Environment (SRU), which recently has published a special report on the Marine environment, the German Council of Sustainable Development and the German Advisory Council on Global Environmental Change (WBGU) are hosting the 12th annual conference of the network of European Environment and Sustainable Development Advisory Councils.
Objectives of the Conference
The Conference aims at contributing to the ongoing orientation debate on the thematic strategy on the marine environment. It offers first hand insight on the strategic reflections of the European Commission and the Marine Conventions covering the European seas. It allows for discussion, feed-back and exchange of ideas based on the rich advice given by EEAC members.
EEAC Working Group on Coastal Zones and Marine Environment
The EEAC Working Group on Coastal Zones and Marine Environment will submit the EEAC Statement on the thematic strategy on marine environment for endorsement.