Policy Brief 4: Integrating marine biodiversity and ecosystem protection in sector policy implementation: How to do better

This policy brief has been developed in the context of the EU-funded CrossGov project that aims at enhancing knowledge on how coherence and cross-compliance of marine-related policies of the European Union (EU) affect the ability to realize the European Green Deal (EGD) and Sustainable Blue Economy. It builds on the outcome of research activities carried out in its Work Package (WP) 3 entitled Case studies of cross-compliance. WP3 has focused on: (1) challenges and mechanisms for strengthening the integration between framework directives: the Water Framework Directive (WFD), the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive – with policy implications are presented in CrossGov Policy Brief N° . 3; and (2) how EU biodiversity and healthy marine ecosystem policy requirements are taken into account in (agriculture, fisheries and renewable energy) sector policies implementation - which is the focus of the present policy brief. Research on the integration of ecosystem health and biodiversity into sector policies has addressed three questions: Do policy instruments [delivery mechanisms] set for the implementation of sectoral policies adequately internalize key-requirements of EU policies (e.g. MSFD, WFD, MSPD) established to deliver healthy marine ecosystems? Do policy instruments set for the implementation of sectoral policies adequately internalize the three EGD objectives of focus in CrossGov? What can be learned from impediments and best practices to facilitate the internalization of the key EGD objectives into sectoral policies? It builds on extensive research carried out in 8 case studies covering different implementation scales and policy integration challenges as illustrated in the map presented below.