North Sea Commission Strategy - Contributing to the Europe 2020 - North Sea Region 2020
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North Sea Region 2020
North Sea Commission Strategy
– Contributing to the Europe 2020
Illustration photos: www.colourbox.no
www.northsea.org
Foreword
This strategy document is intended to demonstrate how the North Sea
Region will work to implement the Europe 2020 Strategy.
This document is only the first step on the path, now the work has to start to
implement the strategy; the process from words to action. I am confident that
we will succeed in that task.
The strategy has been elaborated through a bottom-up process, involving
NSC members and other regional authorities in the North Sea Region, but
also stakeholders from NGO’s, industries and academia. We have also
received advice from our friends in Brussels, both from DG’s and regional
offices. I would like to thank all who have contributed to make this document.
A special thanks to all our internal work groups who have shown that we can
if we want.
I’m proud to present the North Sea Region 2020 Strategy, a document made
to meet the challenges and exploit the opportunities our region is
facing, and how we together will address them.
North Sea Commission
Niels Bohrs Vej 30
Ole B Sørensen
9220 Aalborg Ø, Denmark President
Phone: +45 41 62 08 71/+45 25 59 35 33 North Sea Commission
nsc@northsea.org / www.northsea.org
North Sea Commission in brief:
The North Sea Commission (NSC) was founded in 1989 to facilitate
and enhance partnerships between regions which manage the chal-
lenges and opportunities presented by the North Sea. Furthermore,
Illustration photo: www.colourbox.no
to promote the North Sea Basin as a major economic entity within
Europe, by encouraging joint development initiatives and political
lobbying at European Union level.
NSC is one of the 6 Geographical Commissions of The Conference
of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe (CPMR). CPMR was
created in 1973 and brings together close to 160 Regions from
28 States of the European Union and the Council of Europe.
Representing over 200 million people, the CPMR promotes
a balanced development across European territory.
Graphic design: The CPMR decided to organise itself into geographical commissions
VisuellKontakt /Elisabeth Rokstad
www.visuellkontakt.no in order to make it easier to articulate the particular circumstances
Printing office:
of each of the major sea basins. Each geographical commission has
Vester Kopi its own organisational structure, so that it can promote its specific
aal@vesterkopi.dk identity and cooperate on subjects of common interest, while
August 2013/250 contributing to the cohesion and unity of the Conference.
Executive Summary
Introduction
In June 2009 the North Sea Commis-
sion (NSC) decided to explore the
feasibility of developing a strategy
for the North Sea Region (NSR)
supporting the implementation of EU
2020. Extensive consultations among
the NSC members and stakeholders
were carried out in 2010 and 2011.
The final NSR 2020 strategy paper
was adopted on 31 October 2011,
and the paper will now be submitted
to the Danish EU Presidency, repre-
sentatives of national governments,
EU institutions and to relevant stake-
holder groups.
The NSR has the potential to act as
an engine for growth in Europe and
as a centre of excellence for wider
Illustration photo: www.colourbox.no
EU issues. There is furthermore
a need and a potential for developing
existing cooperation efforts, improv-
ing policy efficiency and value for
public money.
The strategy will: Ensure a better governed region Purpose and Objectives
Help the NSR to remain and through cross sectorial coordination
improve the performance as a compe and multi-level governance. The main aim of this paper is to
titive, attractive and sustainable area provide arguments for and demon-
of Europe – supporting the imple- Provide a potential pilot for strate the added value and benefits
mentation of Europe 2020 Strategy different kind of macro-regional of having a strategy for the NSR by
strategy than the EU strategies for identifying challenges, opportunities
More efficiently address common, the Baltic and Danube. and priority strategic areas, as well as
transnational challenges and exploit suggesting concrete measures to be
opportunities related to sustainable The strategy must focus on those issue implemented.
economic growth, climate, energy, areas where public sector intervention
accessibility and management of the and collaborative action at the macro-
maritime space. regional scale would add value.
Table 1, Challenges and Opportunities
Challenges Opportunities
• Mobility (costs, lack of access, focus on road) • Transport & trade links (short sea shipping, ports, transport
and energy network)
• Energy (safety, environment, investments)
• Energy resources (renewable energy)
• Environment (pollution of ecosystem)
• Environmental assets (natural resources, unique ecosystems,
• Risks and safety (flooding, exhaustion of natural
planning and protection)
resources, marine safety)
• Culture and human resources (education, exchange, mobility)
• Socio-economic (demography, urban migration,
declining sectors) • Innovation/economic development (innovation, knowledge
sharing, green growth)
• Marine resources sustainable managed
I
Strategic Areas Implementation or have an impact on the macro-
region (or a significant part of it).
From the challenges, five priority In order to implement the strategy, Actions should in general promote
strategic areas that address the major it will be necessary to develop an sustainable development and cover
challenges and opportunities were action plan with specific actions several regions and countries, be
identified. Each comprises focus and identification of funding needs, coherent and mutually supportive,
areas and distinct fields of action. sources and bodies responsible for creating a win-win solution; and be
Promotion of Innovation, Excellence the implementation. The action plan realistic (technically feasible and
and Sustainability will function as should also address the issue of the with credible funding).
a horizontal priority running through priorities and their ranking, some of
all identified areas. The priority areas the issues may be more pertinent than
are closely connected and interde- others. The plan should be a rolling
pendent: e.g., the development of the plan where actions are replaced as
Illustration: www.colourbox.no
tourism industry is connected and they are completed. The action plan
depends on, e.g., developments under should include actions/projects which
accessibility. demonstrate direct and visible
benefits for the people in the region,
Table II, Response: Priority Strategic Areas
No Priority Focus Area
1 Managing Maritime Space • Maritime spatial planning
• Exploitation of marine resources
• North Sea Stakeholder Forum
2 Increasing Accessibility and Clean Transport • Promote development of multimodal corridors
• Optimise performance of multimodal logistics chains
• Clean transport
• Clean shipping
3 Tackling Climate Change • Climate change adaptation
• Low-carbon technologies and energy efficient/green
technologies
• Renewable energy and North Sea energy grid
4 Attractive and Sustainable Communities • Competitiveness of sectors and enterprises
(tourism and maritime)
• Demography
• Development of skills and employability
5 Promoting Innovation, Excellence and Sustainability (a horizontal priority)
Table III, Requirements for Implementation, Cooperation and Coordination
Action Plan Principles Cooperation Coordination
• Develop a rolling • Funding from existing EU • Improve current • At policy level (Europe
action plan (including Interreg) and cooperation 2020 Strategy etc.)
public sources,
• Data gathering and • Better coordination • Introduce priority area
analysis • Using existing funds in avoiding isolated and coordinators to
a better way including uncoordinated actions strengthen links (BSR and
• Includes the timeline
PPP etc. Danube strategies)
• Governance mechanisms
• Monitoring provisions
• No new legislation should focus cross sec-
• Targets for strategy toral coordination and
• No new structures
and priorities multilevel governance
• NSR stakeholder forums
II
North Sea Region 2020 and
Europe 2020 Strategy
This strategy intends to provide a
framework for policy integration and
coherent development of the NSR.
The strategy sets out to promote the
performance in selected target areas
and to tackle priorities for the develop
ment of the NSR. It aims to remove
internal market bottlenecks and im-
prove the business environment. It sets
Illustration photo: www.colourbox.no
out priority actions in order to achieve
Europe 2020 Strategy objectives and
each of the priorities supports several
of the Europe 2020 Strategy flagships
as illustrated in Table IV.
Table IV, Contribution of NSR 2020 to Europe 2020 Strategy Flagships
Priorities of NSR 1. Managing 2. Increasing 3. Tackling 4. Attractive and 5. Promoting
2020 Maritime Space Accessibility and Climate Change Sustainable Innovation,
Clean Transport Communities Excellence and
Sustainability
Europe 2020 Strategy
Flagships
Innovation Union
Youth on the Move
A digital agenda for
Europe
Resource efficient
Europe
An industrial policy of
the globalisation era
An agenda for new
skills and jobs
European Platform
against poverty
Illustration photos: www.colourbox.no
III
Table of Contents
1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2 Purpose and Objective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
3 Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
4 Challenges and Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
5 Response: Priority Strategic Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
5.1 Managing Maritime Space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
5.2 Increasing Accessibility and Clean Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
5.3 Tackling Climate Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
5.4 Attractive and Sustainable Communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
5.5 Promoting Innovation, Excellence and Sustainability
- a horizontal priority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
6 Requirements for Implementation,
Cooperation and Coordination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
7 Conclusions and the Way Ahead for the NSR 2020 . . . . . . . . . 20
Abbrivations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Illustration photo: www.colourbox.no
1 Introduction
The North Sea Region (NSR) includes which to live, work, visit and invest. June 2009. Extensive consultation
a number of strong economies and is The ambition of the North Sea Region carried out amongst the NSC mem-
one of the most successful regions in 2020 is for the NSR to remain and bers in 2010, as well as the work
Europe. The NSR has the potential to further develop as an attractive and of the thematic groups of the NSC,
act as an engine for growth in Europe international area for citizens, busi- resulted in a number of inputs, which
as well as share best practices devel- nesses and organisations. This would have been used to prepare this pa-
oped in the NSR, acting as a centre entail a better governed region with per 1. In addition, a number of exter-
of excellence for the wider EU issues improved cooperation and coordina- nal institutions and actors have been
such as climate change. Large oppor- tion at all levels. Better, faster and consulted during 2010 and 2011 2
tunities exist in the NSR which have cleaner transport taking the environ- and have provided inputs.
to be unlocked, and it is therefore ment, the ecosystems and the energy
important to acknowledge that not needs into account would, for example, As part of the discussion on macro-
only less advantaged regions need to be key factors. Opportunities exist to regions in the EU, the Committee of
catch up; also successful regions jointly improve the quality of living the Regions (CoR) provided an opin-
need to continue to succeed. and economic development in a sustain ion on the development of a strategy
Although the NSR is a successful able manner with due consideration to for the North Sea Region 3. The CoR
region, the region is also struggling the consequences of climate change. supports the development of regional
with a number of issues and is, for strategies in general and the NSR
example, still not doing enough to In order to address the Europe 2020 in specific, as a new and innovative
meet all of the Europe 2020 Strategy Strategy challenges in the NSR, the form of EU interregional cooperation
targets. Although large regional vari- NSR 2020 will set out the strategy which can contribute to consistency
ations exist, some estimates say that for how the NSR will meet the objec- in actions in specific areas. The opin-
the NSR as a whole is only on course tives of the Europe 2020 Strategy and ion identified a number of challenges,
to achieve a 9 per cent increase in thereby contribute to smart, green opportunities and areas for action
energy efficiency. and inclusive growth for Europe. which have been reviewed when
The North Sea Commission (NSC) preparing this strategy. The European
By 2020, all citizens of the North Sea and its members have been develop- Commission (EC) has also been con-
Region should have an even more ing the ideas for the NSR 2020 since sulted on the prospects of developing
attractive and prosperous region in the Executive meeting in Haarlem in a macro-regional strategy.
1
This paper is based on existing analysis and
inputs from the thematic groups of the NSC.
No new or dedicated analysis has been made in
connection with development of this strategy.
2
Stakeholder conferences in Newcastle March 2010
and Middelburg 2011, Joint Annual Conferences
of Interreg IVB North Sea Region Programme and
NSC in June 2010 and 2011.
3
Committee of the Regions, Opinion on A Strategy
for the North Sea-Channels Area (CdR 99/2010),
5-6 October 2010.
1
2 Purpose and Objective
There is a need to develop the leading to development of sustainable The main aim of this document
existing cooperation efforts, ideas growth, improvement of competitive- is to provide arguments for and
and needs in the NSR. While many ness and promotion of innovation. demonstrate the added value and
regional cooperation projects are benefits of having a strategy for
individually excellent, they tend to It should, however, be emphasised the NSR by identifying challenges,
arise in isolation rather than as that the rational for the NSR 2020 opportunities and priority strategic
important parts of a wider regional is different from the EU strategies areas, as well as suggesting concrete
plan. To address this, the NSC has for the Baltic Sea and Danube measures to be implemented. By way
set out to prepare the NSR 2020. regions. Whereas the EU strategies of example, the strategy also points
A common strategy for the NSR for these regions are primarily moti- to existing cooperation which can
can assist in facilitating such an vated out of a need to improve socio- inspire future actions and activities.
approach. It follows the inspiration economic cohesion, competitiveness The objective of the strategy is to
from the EU Strategy for the Baltic and environmental performance, the focus on those issues which cross
Sea Region (BSR) and the Danube NSR 2020 is designed to ensure that borders and where there is added
Region, now being implemented, the North Sea Region competitive- value to working collaboratively.
underlining an integrated approach to ness remains and that the region The strategy focuses on those areas
sustainable development. The Baltic further develops as a sustainable of market failure where public sector
Sea Region experience demonstrates and attractive region and engine for intervention at the macro-regional
that a strategic approach and priori- growth in Europe. The NSR 2020 scale would bring about acceler-
tized actions can offer a framework could therefore also be perceived ated advancement and improvement
for bringing together fragmented as a potential pilot for a different which otherwise would not be possi-
actions across levels and sectors. kind of macro-regional strategy in ble or would happen at a significantly
Regions can become new platforms Europe – as such, adding value to slower pace, for example in the crea-
for policy innovation in Europe, existing strategies. tion of a North Sea Energy Grid.
3 Scope
The NSR is a functional area defined aiming to reduce energy consump-
by the North Sea. The NSR is more tion, increase the use of renewable
than the North Sea Basin, which energies, modernise the transport
physically links the region together, sector by making it more environ-
and it is important that a strategy mentally friendly and more efficient,
engages and benefits all the commu- and to promote ‘green’ tourism.
nities of the region. Geographically, It will furthermore aim to remove
Illustration: www.colourbox.no
it concerns the North Sea regions internal market bottlenecks and
of Denmark, Sweden, Germany, the improve the business environment.
Netherlands, Belgium,UK, France This strategy provides a framework
and Norway 4.The geographical for policy integration and coherent
scope within each state could vary development of the North Sea
based upon the issue being tackled Region. The five priority areas have
(e.g., coastal defences would be an been developed with the view to
issue for coastal regions, whereas support the achievement of Europe
hinterland transport connections 2020 Strategy objectives. A further
could go quite far inland).The strat- detailed action plan will be devel-
egy remains open to other partners oped in order to specify the concrete
in the region 5. Since the North Sea actions which should be promoted.
is connected to adjacent bodies of
water, it should be coherent with per-
spectives in these relevant areas.
Illustration: www.colourbox.no
4
The geographical scope could be primarily based
on countries which border the North Sea.
The NSR 2020 sets out priorities 5
The CoR concludes that not all areas have to be
for the development of the NSR, covered, but that it is important to include the areas
supporting sustainable growth and which the region shares.
2
4 Challenges and Opportunities
This strategy proposal follows an There is a common cultural heritage of the EU and has traditionally had
intensive period of identification of in the NSR and a long history of good GDP (Gross Domestic Product)
needs and possible cooperation areas intensive economic (trade and tourism) development. However, the overall
in the NSR, as described above. and human exchange. The NSR economic performance of the NSR has
The main message to date has been countries are stable democracies declined during recent years compared
that existing resources can be better and can overall be characterised as to other OECD (Organisation for Eco-
used for common strategic objec- research intensive knowledge econo- nomic Cooperation and Development)
tives and that a strategy must deliver mies through high levels of innova- countries. Despite the long period
concrete improvement for the region tion and Research and Development of economic growth (until the 2008
and its people. It is furthermore (R&D) activities. financial crisis), most of the countries
paramount that this strategy receives have faced falling productivity rates in
the commitment of the NSR member As a result of its economic position the last 10-15 years. In particular with-
states, the EU, and is based on the and high skill levels, the NSR has in the service sector, but also within
strong involvement of regional and historically had good levels of manufacturing has this development
local authorities as well as a wide employment. The North Sea region been significant. The NSR, therefore,
spectrum of stakeholders. is one of the most prosperous parts faces an overall challenge in terms
Table 1
Key economic indicators in NSR, EU and OECD 6
NSR 8 EU 27 OECD 30
GDP Development (2009) - 3.9 - 4.3 - 3.5
GDP Development (2010) 2.31 1.80 2.93
Labour productivity (2009) - 1.61 - 0.7 0.2
of the regeneration of the rate of opportunities. In other parts of the underdeveloped and overcoming
productivity in order to be able to NSR, the problem is one of lower- this offers real opportunities for the
maintain its position as a competitive paid jobs, such as in the tourism sec- continued strength of the NSR. There
player on the global market. tor, rather than a lack of employment, is an immense development potential
contributing to sluggish development. as well as a potential for developing
There are wide disparities within the solutions which can be transferred to
NSR and the strong economy of the A number of challenges have been the rest of the EU. Making the most
region is to a large extent driven by indentified as outlined in Table 1. of these opportunities also requires
the south, which is closer to the core To address all these challenges increased cooperation, joint plan-
of the EU. The more densely populated with sustainable solutions, there is ning and investment, and developing
areas in the south of the NSR have a need for cooperation between the crucial links. Focus on innovation
high levels of economic activity and national, regional and local authori- as a cross-cutting issue in all busi-
good levels of accessibility compared ties, the business sector and universi- ness sectors as well as in the public
to the north, which has some of the most ties and other knowledge producing service is a prerequisite. The region
sparsely populated areas of the EU/ institutions. These challenges are is characterised by the opportunities
Europe, lower levels of economic acti best addressed together, identifying listed in Table 2.
vity and more limited accessibility. priorities, agreeing and implementing
Large parts of the NSR depend on actions. For example, developers and
sectors such as agriculture and fish- conservationists must find innovative
ery with shrinking labour markets, solutions, resolving together the most
or on declining traditional industrial difficult issues for the benefit of the
sectors. As a result, the northern area whole region.
experiences high levels of outward
migration. In addition, urban econo- The North Sea Region has considera-
mies have benefited from the shift ble resources and possibilities for in-
towards higher-value knowledge novation and further development of 6
OECD Statsextracts: Economic outlook 89 June
based activities, both in the service human resources etc. The integration 11, labour productivity growth in the total economy.
and manufacturing sectors, bringing of, and network between the north 7
http://www.proinno-europe.eu/inno-metrics/
more, and better-paid, employment and south of the NSR are relatively page/innovation-union-scoreboard-2010
3
Table 2
Challenges Opportunities
• Mobility: The efficiency and costs of freight transport are • Transport and trade links: The comprehensive trade
hampered by congestion in and around the biggest ports in the in the NSR and the availability of large ports constitute
Hamburg – Le Havre range. At the same time most peripheral a significant potential for efficient and sustainable freight
parts of the North Sea Region suffer from poor accessibility transport by sea. Short sea shipping and motorways of the
due to low cargo volumes and long distances to the markets. sea can be developed and better connected with inland
It is a barrier to modal shift that sea-based intermodal trans- waterways in the region; Planning for a North Sea grid
port is perceived as complicated and less reliable than road – a comprehensive energy transport network – has been
transport. There is therefore a need to improve the framework set in motion to realise the full potential of renewable
conditions of maritime transport to make it more competitive forms of energy. Collaboration between NSR States, regions
compared to road transport. and private partners could foster the necessary progress
towards smart grids and the strengths of renewable energy
• Energy: As the extraction of oil and natural gas will continue
generation, making the area a pilot region for e-Mobility;
to be promoted in the North Sea, stringent common safety
standards and systems to counter and limit threats are required • Energy resources: Because of the geographical condi-
to reduce the risks as much as possible and to enable a swift tions, the North Sea Region has a great potential for
and effective response when needed. Given the rapid expansion renewable energy, the expansion of which is crucial to
of offshore wind farms, standards for their construction, safety, a successful climate policy and for future economic growth
noise and pollution must be agreed. A precondition for climate and jobs. Energy from wind, waves, tide, currents, hydro-
adapted utilisation of these energy resources will be an inter- power and biomass, needs to be further developed,
connected grid which can help switching to renewable sources researched and promoted. It is important for the region
and using these in an optimal manner. Large investments will be that the economic operators adapt to the environmental
required to reach this target. goals and that other stakeholders contribute to their
implementation.
• Environment: Economic development and the increasing
incursions of man have placed a great burden on the ecosystem • Environmental assets: The natural and territorial
and led to major environmental problems: the contamination characteristics of the North Sea and the coastal areas have
of sea and beaches (including plastic waste contamination), a huge potential. Prime among them are: a distinct and
increased pollution of waters with chemicals and heavy metals uniform ecosystem and the threats that beset it; climate
and from shipping and the extraction of natural gas and oil in and geology (use for renewable energies such as wind and
the sea. Other problems include eutrophication of the coasts, tidal energy). Issues such as exhaustion of natural resources
breeding failure of birds, impacts of climate change (1-2° C). like oil, gas and fish need to be tackled collectively in order
Further economic development will leave Nature 2000 sites in to prepare the basis for a future sustainable development.
estuaries and costal zones conflicting with the need to increase Planned in a stable, transparent and predictable manner,
capacity of the ports. the opportunity to provide a sustainable development will
increase. A joint spatial planning can make sure that the
• Risks: The rise in the sea level and the increased danger to
space available is used in the best possible manner.
coastal areas from flooding caused by climate change will have
an effect on the countries bordering the North Sea. Climate • Innovation/economic development: Innovation is a
change can also put a further burden on the marine ecosystem key feature of the region as the European Innovation score-
through warming, water acidification and the influx of new spe- board 2010 shows: all the EU countries of the NSR were
cies. Also exhaustion of natural resources like oil, gas and fish among the 10 best performing 7 countries of the EU 27.
pose an issue for the region and, e.g., over-fishing of many kinds With improved cooperation, this innovative feature of the
in many regions has left many stocks below the biological limit. North Sea can become a centre of excellence if combined
Competing activities in the region, for example, the massive in- to a larger extent, instead of regions investing separately in
crease in the number and size of offshore wind farms expected wave power and trials of other renewable energy sources.
over coming years means that wind turbines risk becoming a The future lies in knowledge sharing in order to lead on
real obstruction for shipping, fisheries and other users of the green industry and being the first to market new products.
sea.
• Cultural and human resources: Coastal regions
• Socio-economic: NSR faces challenges in terms of demography around the North Sea have been intimately connected
as well as securing that the region continues to be an attractive politically and culturally for two thousand years – through
place to live. The coastal regions in the North Sea area have migration flows, close trade relations and through shared
been impacted by the economic decline, especially in shipbuilding maritime traditions. The creative and cultural economy in
and fishing. On the other hand, as the economic climate changes many regions of the North Sea Region will assume increas-
key sectors such as maritime transport and offshore opera- ing importance for growth and employment in this area,
tions should again become more important which will lead to notably by cultural and academic exchange programmes
tougher international competition for highly skilled labour. and the link between culture and sustainable tourism across
the area. Cross-thematic research initiatives for the region
• Safety: Growth in offshore wind parks requires new focus on
could be launched, geared to gather knowledge about the
maritime safety and joint civil defence strategies to avoid risk
North Sea Region from all disciplines to underpin the
scenarios. Furthermore, the sea bed of the North Sea is still
innovation culture and the economic development.
littered with large amounts of munitions (estimated at 1 million
tonnes) from the time of the Second World War, which presents
a significant danger to shipping, the environment and people.
45 Response: Priority Strategic Areas 8
Five priority strategic areas address the major challenges and opportunities identified.
Each comprises focus areas and distinct fields of action. Promotion of Innovation, Excellence
and Sustainability will function as a horizontal priority running through all identified areas.
The priority areas are closely connected and interdependent: e.g., the development of the
tourism industry is connected and depends on, e.g., developments under accessibility.
These five priority areas are outlined in Figure 1.
Figure 1, Priority areas and their interconnections
1) Managing 2) Increasing 3) Tackling 4) Attractive
Maritime Space Accessibility Climate Change and Sustainable
and Clean Communities
Transport
- Maritime - Development - Climate change - Competiveness
spatial planning of multimodal adaptation of sectors and
- Exploitation corridors enterprises
- Renewable (maritime and
of marine - Facilitate modal energy and NS
resources shift from road culture/tourism)
energy grid
- North Sea to sea - Demographic
- Low-carbon
Maritime - Clean transport technologies change
Stakeholder - Clean shipping - Development
Forum of skills and
employability
5) Promoting Innovation, Excellence and Sustainability - a horizontal priority
5.1 Managing Maritime Space targets and is up against consider- form of restructuring and some fleets
able challenges: over-fishing of many have been cut by 50 %. On the matter
The North Sea is a very complex and kinds and in many regions, too high of discards, the industry is currently
open marine ecosystem, providing fishing capacities, and illegal and testing three different fishing nets
a nursery for fish and a migratory unregulated fishing which has so to try and eliminate discards from
and wintering area for many species far not been effectively curbed. The the nephrops 10 fisheries. The North
of birds. It is also one of the most CFP has not supported the delivery Sea Regional Advisory Council
heavily used seas, supporting fishing, of sustainable fishing and has been (NSRAC) has produced advice on the
shipping, trade, energy, sand mining, characterised by a system of short- discards in the whiting fisheries and
defence and recreation. Increasing time focus and imprecise policy has prepared and approved a resolu-
economic activity in the sea, such objectives. However, much has been tion on the elimination of discards
as growing shipping traffic and the done and achieved in the North Sea and Illegal, Unreported and Unregu-
development of offshore wind farms, to address many of the above men- lated fishing (IUU).
leads to increasing competition tioned challenges both by the fishing
between users of the sea. A key chal- industry and national administrations. Particular concerns exist regarding
lenge in the North Sea is the manage- For instance, real time closures of the impacts of offshore energy infra-
ment of conflicts between competing fishing areas, cod avoidance plans, structure, such as cables, pipelines,
and potentially conflicting activities technical measures (square mesh wind and CO2 (Carbon Capture and
like renewable energy, fishing and panels and increased fishing net mesh Storage - CCS) sites, on safe ship-
shipping, while securing a sustaina- size ), and long-term management ping and the ecosystem. Understand-
ble development for the environment plans for specific fish stocks 9. The ing the risks and improving safety in
and recreational activities. over capacity of the fishing fleets in the North Sea will become more and
the North Sea has greatly diminished more important given the increasing
It is widely recognised that the over the past decade, mainly due de- pressure on space. The danger of
Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) in commissioning. Many of the fishing nuclear power and the processing
the EU has so far fallen short of its fleets are already undertaking some of nuclear waste have been further
5Illustration photo: www.colourbox.no
accentuated as a result of the disaster in the North Sea. Being perhaps the tion in the reform of the CFP are the
in Fukushima (Japan). The role of most heavily used sea basin in the reduction/elimination of discards and
nuclear energy is currently debated at world, the North Sea is an ideal sea the engagement of wider stakeholders
European, national and regional level. basin for piloting such an informal in fisheries management. Partnership
There is increasingly concern with integrated maritime forum. working between scientists and other
regard to the safety of nuclear power. stakeholders should also be a priority
The North Sea Region is in particular Priority focus: to improve the quality of fisheries
at risk in relation to radioactive spills The need for Maritime Spatial scientific advice and combat data
into the sea. Planning and comprehensive resource deficiency.
management is therefore urgent due
Spatial planning needs to be extended to the intensive use of the North Sea, The North Sea Maritime Stake-
to integrated maritime planning, and in order to reduce the increasing holder Forum should be formed and
a holistic approach to the activities potential for conflicts between users organised by stakeholders themselves
and the impact of irreversible climate of the sea. Harmonised plans and pol- – as a partnership. Activities could
changes is necessary 11. At the moment, icies would lead to more effective use begin with cross-sectoral working
four countries in the NSR have a frame of space and the available resources. groups considering current and
work for Maritime Spatial Planning In order for the NSR to fully exploit future issues. Thus, the immediate
(MSP) or are developing one12. The EU the sea without affecting the fragile requirement is for a forum to address
Road Map 13 sets forward 10 principles ecosystem, while also preserving concerns, especially regarding the ex-
which should govern maritime spatial the economic and socio-economic pansion of economic and commercial
planning: using MSP according to ar- importance of fisheries to the region, activities in the North Sea. Such a
eas and type of activity, objectives to a coordinated approach is needed Forum could also provide a platform
guide MSP, transparency and stake- which will take cross-border issues to look at the impacts upon all sectors
holder participation, coordination into account and ensure effective- of implementing the Marine Strategy
within MS, legal effects in relation to ness of national and EU policies and Framework Directive, Marine Spatial
national MSP, cross-border coopera- reduce the cost of regulation. A close Planning, the bringing forward of
tion and consultation, monitoring and integration and coordination between proposals for Marine Protected Areas
evaluation and coherence between MSP and ICZM is also paramount as and the proposed reform of the CFP;
terrestrial and maritime spatial plan- costal zone “hinges” between terres- Fisheries; Oil & Gas; Renewable
ning and the relation with Integrated trial and maritime systems. Energy; Ports; Shipping; Environ-
coastal zone management (ICZM). mental NGOs; Regional & Local
If a truly Integrated Maritime Policy Exploitation of marine resources: Authorities (through the NSC);
including the EC Marine Strategy Fishing areas need to be studied and Scientists & other experts; Maritime
Framework Directive 14 is to be assessed to ascertain which form of Heritage; Training Institutes.
achieved, dialogue between all the management best suits the sea region,
users of the North Sea is needed. the kinds of fish caught and the type
In order to facilitate access to marine of fleet. There is a need to better
resources, a space or forum must be integrate the activities of the fish 8
The descriptions of the sectors and the focus areas
are preliminary and will require additional data
created to promote discourse between catching and processing sectors for collection, analysis and identification.
all users of the North Sea, where the overall long term sustainability 9
Information on the mentioned measures can be
common interests can be developed of the fishing industry. The revision found on: www.nsrag.eu
and identified; and in turn used to of the CFP offers a real possibility to 10
Nephrops is a genus of lobsters comprising a
include MSP in the sustainable man- single extant species, Nephrops norvegicus.
influence and support governments 11
Maritime Spatial Planning in the EU - Achieve-
and other decision makers. Thus, the agement of the maritime resources in ments and Future Development. COM (2010) 771.
immediate requirement is for a forum the North Sea, particularly if respon- 17.12.2010.
to address each other’s concerns, sibility for its delivery is devolved 12
Ibid.
especially regarding the expansion of to the regional sea-basin level. Other 13
Ibid.
economic and commercial activities challenges to be taken into considera- 14
2008/56/EC,17.09.2008
6List 1
Important measures under the priority Management of Maritime Space
• Promote a coordinated approach which will take cross-border issues into account and ensure effectiveness of national
and EU policies15 and reduce the cost of regulation.
• Promote harmonised plans16 and policies, leading to more effective use of space and the available resources,
i.e. MSP and IZCM.
• Fishing areas need to be studied and assessed to ascertain which form of management best suits the sea
region, the kinds of fish caught and the type of fleet.
• Promote dialogue between all the users of the North Sea to facilitate integration of the full range of EU policies.
• Facilitate access to marine resources by creating a space or forum where common interests and conflicts can be
identified, which can then be used to influence and support governments and other decision makers.
• Ensure a proper balance of activities across the North Sea, without one sector dominating others, seeking
integration and compatibility of interests.
• Persuade NSR states to engage with each other to discuss problems extending across national economic zones.
For example, issues over management measures to be adopted.
• Pay due attention to the differences between the Common Fisheries Policy, which falls within the exclusive competence
of the Commission, where there is a common approach, and the varied implementation of other directives, which is the
responsibility of member states.
• Facilitate involvement of relevant third countries.
15
Roadmap for Maritime Spatial Planning: Achieving Common Principles in the EU. COM (2008) 791. 25.11.2008.
16
At the moment, four countries in the NSR have a framework for MSP or are developing one
Box 1
Examples of actions and cooperation projects in relation to Management of Maritime Space
• North Sea Regional Advisory Council. The aim of the NSRAC is to work towards integrated and sustainable
management of fisheries in the wider context of the sustainability of the marine environment. The NSRAC has so far
provided advice to the European Commission on a wide range of subjects including discards; Total Allowable Catches and
quotas; cod recovery, Maximum Sustainable Yield, Real Time Closures and technical measures. Its present work is focused
on developing Long-Term Management Plans for key species; Maritime Spatial Planning; and tackling deficiencies in available
scientific data17.
• Living North Sea (LNS) project will solve problems surrounding the management of fish species which rely on moving
between the North Sea and freshwater systems of partner countries. These species are under considerable threat, some
even in hazardous decline. Living North Sea brings together representatives from across the NSR countries, in a project
which will make long lasting changes to the way that migratory fish species, whose stocks are shared between
nations, are managed in the region. A permanent management group for migratory fish of these habitats should be
created by working collaboratively and integrated in future policies on the national and EU level18.
• Sustainable Coastal Development in Practice (SUSCOD) aims to make a step change in the application of
integrated coastal zone management (ICZM). Partners from five countries will develop an innovative Integrated Coastal
Zone Management (IZCM) ‘assistant’. SUSCOD brings together partners that want to change this through a well
coordinated transnational team approach. This practical web based tool will allow coastal development practitioners to
fully realise coastal potentials: economic, social and environmental19.
• Tidal River Development (TIDE) considers tidally influenced NSR estuaries with large sediment transportation which
are used as shipping channels to large harbours. TIDE will lead towards a more sustainable and effective use of large-scale
investments made in mitigation and compensation measures in NSR estuaries by applying, for the first time, a unified eco-
system approach to guide the process of integrated participatory management planning. Thus, TIDE will not only improve
the effectiveness of European, national and regional policy and provide instruments for regional development, but will
make an essential contribution towards a more sustainable and effective use of investment in North Sea estuaries20.
17
www.nsrac.org
18
Interreg IVB NSR: www.livingnorthsea.eu
19
Interreg IVB NSR: www.suscod.eu
20
Interreg IVB NSR: www.tide-project.eu
75.2 Increasing Accessibility
and Clean Transport
The countries around the North Sea
constitute a potential market of over
252 million consumers, and industry
and consumer demand creates large
flows of both imports and exports.
Due to road congestion in Europe and
the benefits of Short Sea Shipping
(SSS), as a sustainable part of the
logistics chain, a demand has
emerged for the extension of the
Illustration photo: www.colourbox.no
North Sea short sea network.
The North Sea is one of the busiest
maritime regions 21 in the world and
central to this activity is short sea
shipping including ferry lines. Short
sea shipping in the North Sea Region
totalled some 600 million tonnes in joint services and creating economies Although maritime transport is one
2006. Economic development in NSR of scale. Substantial progress has of the most environmentally friendly
and in the global economy is likely to been made during the last decade to modes of transport in terms of energy
further increase traffic. enhance the environmental perform- consumption per transported unit, the
ance of transport; however, the trans- increase in global volumes neverthe-
The North Sea Region has a unique port system is still not sustainable. less makes shipping a significant
position in terms of logistics in Eu- Transport has become more energy source of air pollution. Ships are the
rope, playing a key role as Europe’s efficient, but still depends on oil and largest single emission source for
largest transport hub and is at the oil products for 96 % of its energy nitrogen oxide, particulate matter
heart of this economic activity. In needs. It is clear that transport cannot and sulphur oxide emissions in the
this picture, the seaports and ferry develop along the same path if EU transport sector. Ports suffer from air
ports play a major role as logistics emission targets are to be achieved. pollution not only due to the arrival/
centres and passenger hubs. How- A reduction of at least 60 % of Green departure of ships, but also due to
ever, maritime transport suffers from House Gases (GHGs) by 2050 with emissions during their stays at berth.
time-consuming and complex admin- respect to 1990 22 is required from the Today, new regulations have been
istrative handling procedures where transport sector, which is a significant set into force. Besides the interna-
the data flows are too often paper and still growing source of GHGs. tional MARPOL (maritime pollution)
based. The majority of the small ports By 2030, the goal for transport will regulation of the IMO (International
have no electronic data transmission be to reduce GHG emissions to Maritime Organization), the EU has
in general. As a result, the interoper- around 20 % below the 2008 level. introduced the Directive on sulphur
ability between different ports and Urban transport is responsible for content of marine fuels 23.
different information systems used in about a quarter of CO2 emissions
the ports is not satisfactory, limiting from transport, and 69 % of road 21
260 000 ship movements per year (and estimated
the possibilities for integrating new accidents occur in cities. to grow by 14-31 % in the coming years).
22
This would correspond to emissions cuts of
around 70 % below 2008 levels.
23
COM(2011) 439 final, 15.07.2011
Illustration photo: www.colourbox.no
8Priority focus: as rail traffic management systems new technologies on fuels (i.e. Liquid
Promote development of mul- (ERTMS), intelligent transport Natural Gas 24 - LNG, hydrogen,
timodal transport corridors and systems for road, River Information shore side electricity) and vehicles
facilitate modal shift from road to Services (RIS), EU’s maritime infor- will be key to lowering transport
sea: The efficient movement of goods mation systems SafeSeaNet and Long emissions from all modes of trans-
and passengers depends upon well- Range Identification and tracking of port, including shipping.
functioning transport corridors and vessels would exploit the capacity
effective mechanisms for transfers of the transport system in a better Clean shipping: It is important
across transport modes, e.g., road way. Devices to track the location of that shipping becomes more sustain-
– rail – sea. The core network vessels and cargo would also improve able and environmentally friendly so
corridors of the new Trans-European transparency and reduce perceived that it remains a reliable and cost-
Transport Network (TEN-T) will barriers to use of maritime transport. effective mode of transport. Particular
provide an important platform for support, measures and incentives are
coordinated infrastructure develop- Clean transport: A mix of differ needed to take forward strategies such
ment in the NSR. Corridor concepts ent measures is required to make as Clean Shipping, the Zero Emissions
like Motorways of the Sea (MoS) and transport cleaner. Demand and mobil- Ship and Green Harbour. The North
short sea shipping can reduce conges- ity management and the optimisation Sea is a prime location for maritime
tion by transferring the transport of of multimodal logistic chains may pilot projects with global implications
goods from road to sea, improve the reduce people’s travel need, and to improve environmental and safety
accessibility of peripheral regions minimise distances and volumes for standards of maritime transport and
and stimulate regional competi- freight. The introduction of greener the promotion of Short Sea Shipping.
tiveness. The competitiveness of fuels will reduce GHG emissions. With its network of ports and com-
maritime transport is vital to ensure In urban transport, the use of smaller, mercial shipping, as well as public
transfer of cargo from road to sea. lighter and more specialised road agencies operating in national contexts,
A superior, simpler and fairer policy passenger vehicles would be a it is an ideal testing ground for solutions
mechanism could be to focus on solution. These could make a sub- which can be applied world-wide
the internalization of external costs stantial contribution in reducing the through collaboration with shipping
for road transport, aiming at greater carbon intensity of urban transport institutes such as the International
cost recovery of infrastructure costs while providing a test bed for new Maritime Organization. Efforts to reduce
through user charging mechanisms. technologies and an opportunity for sulphur levels in fuel, by application
In order to facilitate a modal shift early market deployment. Innovative of Annex VI of the IMO’s MARPOL
from road to sea, it is even more devices like integrated ticketing and Convention should be continued, but
important to allow for incentives to traffic information systems across the EU must make efforts to try and
minimize the financial risks for play- various forms of public transport, offset the increased costs incurred
ers in the sector, e.g., port authorities, i.e. buses, trains, vessels and planes, by these regulations for ship owners
ship owners, freight forwarders and would furthermore simplify combined operating in the Baltic Sea, English
other haulage companies. transport and contribute to increased Channel and North Sea, which have
occupancy rate. Innovation and re- been declared special Emission
Optimising performance of search on the effective deployment of Control Areas (ECAs) by the IMO.
multimodal logistic chains:
Supporting the continuous devel- 24
The percentage of the total capacity for passengers.
opment of the logistics sector as a
whole, particularly the technologies
underpinning distribution systems, is
critical to improving levels of acces-
sibility across the North Sea Region.
The cost savings achieved and
improved access to markets benefit
businesses across the region, whilst
local markets benefit from greater
choice and competition. Developing
more efficient and effective logisti-
cal processes, including intermodal
Illustration photos: www.colourbox.no
technologies, also offers benefits
in areas of transport congestion by
increasing the capacity of the existing
infrastructure. Innovations in Intel-
ligent Transport Systems (ITS), such
9List 2
Important measures under the priority Accessibility and Clean Transport
• Implement measures to counteract the uneven playing field between transport modes, currently disfavouring maritime transport.
In particular, implement the EU concept for “maritime space without borders” – further developed into the “Blue Belt” 25.
• Move towards a quick and full implementation of the “user pays” and “polluter pays” principles for all transport modes,
as advocated by the EU Transport White Paper.
• Ensure good access to the TEN-T core network for peripheral and maritime regions with weaker transport flows, fewer
route and service options and higher transport costs.
• The new TEN-T guidelines also need to put stronger focus on the cohesion objective of MoS – currently disfavouring
applications from peripheral regions.
• Allow for stronger incentives to minimize the financial risks involved in starting up new or improving existing sea-based services.
• A package of European measures needs to be introduced in the context of the Connecting Europe Facility, simplifying the
framework for public grants to Motorways of the Sea projects.
• The slot allocation rules for landing and takeoff at the international hub airports in Europe should ensure that existing
services to peripheral regional airports can be retained and further developed, and new routes encouraged to operate.
• Invest in the development of supplementary infrastructure measures such as Intelligent Transport Systems and innovations in
vehicles and green fuels technologies with a potential for optimising the capacity and decarbonising the transport system 26.
• Introduce particular support, measures and incentives to improve the environmental performance of shipping needed to
take forward strategies such as Clean Shipping, the Zero Emissions Ship and Green Harbour.
25
The “Blue Belt” in the seas around Europe shall simplify the formalities such as customs for ships travelling between EU ports. COM/2011/0144 final
26
http://www.stratmos.com and the launch of the revised TEN-T guidelines summer 2011 Box 2
Examples of actions and cooperation projects in relation to Accessibility and Clean Transport
• The Northern Maritime Corridor (NMC) project promoted a sea based transportation corridor stretching from
Northern Norway and North West Russia to the UK and European continent.The projects produced various sea transport
solutions like Short Sea Shipping development initiatives and concepts for transport of sea food and petroleum products.A compre
hensive network with Russia to promote the NMC as an alternative route to Russia. Furthermore, NMC phase II contributed
to the acceptance by the European Commission to extend the ‘motorways of the sea’ network into the Barents region 27.
• The StratMoS project has produced concrete tools to facilitate the implementation of the Motorways of the Sea
concept. Such tools make it easier for maritime transport actors to benefit from the MoS funding instruments, in turn
promoting a shift of freight from road to sea. The project has specifically drafted criteria for MoS applications in peripheral
areas as a way of promoting funding applications from such areas 28.
• ICT 29 mechanism to monitor the security status of the container to reduce handling time and costs through ports and
terminals, in particular Russian ports/terminals.The mechanism has been developed by the StratMoS project and is currently
tested on selected door to door routes. With this tool, the cargo owner may easily trace the whereabouts of the cargo at
any time, whereas the port on the receiving end in Russia is prenotified about the arrival of the shipment (what and when) 30.
• Dry ports – adding capacity to sea ports and facilitating more sustainable modes. Dry ports, understood as intermodal
terminals situated some 30-200 km into the hinterland, serve to improve performance of multimodal logistics chains by
adding capacity to sea ports and by facilitating the use of more sustainable modes like rail. Dryport is a project examin-
ing the development, design and effective operation of dry ports. A dry port in Fallköping, Sweden, was established by the
SustAccess project under the Interreg IIIB North Sea Programme 31 .
• Clean North Sea Shipping (CNSS) contributes to the large scale installation of “clean shipping” technology around
the North Sea e.g. by developing cost-effective implementation concepts (show-cases). These concepts are comprising
testing and installation of shore side electricity infrastructure in ports, as well as the uptake of Liquid Natural Gas (LNG)
as ships fuel. Furthermore CNSS wants to pave the way for an incentive and regulatory framework which causes an
increased use of environmentally friendly technologies and fuels in shipping 32.
27
Interreg IIIB North Sea Programme: www.northernmaritimecorridor.no
28
Interreg IVB NSR: www.stratmos.com
29
Information and communication technology
30
Interreg IVB NSR: www.stratmos.com
31
Interreg IVB NSR Programme: www.dryport.org/index.php?page=10 and www.sustaccess.org
32
Interreg IVB NSR: www.northsearegion.eu/ivb/projects/details/&tid=130&back=yes
105.3 Tackling Climate Change by the UNFCCC 33, there will be a remains high and a joint strategy could
need for coordination and develop- boost their development and competi-
One of the main challenges facing the ment of a common approach to tiveness. The EU Directive on renew-
North Sea Region is climate change, climate change in the NSR as a able energy sets ambitious targets
with the adaptation and mitigation shared common resource. Developing for all Member States, such that the
measures that this will require. the knowledge base through common EU will reach a 20 % share of energy
Increased precipitation and flooding research, sharing of data, cross- from renewable sources by 2020.
in the North (parts of the North Sea border studies etc. will be paramount These energies will play an essential
will be under sea level), coupled with to the development of a common and role in meeting the EU climate and
increased temperatures and aridity innovative approach to adaptation. energy targets. In its communication
in the South will cause significant Dealing with climate change also “Energy infrastructure priorities for
changes to both physical and human means investing in the development 2020 and beyond”, the European
geography in Europe. The severity of of a low-carbon economy promot- Commission acknowledges the
the impacts of climate change varies ing innovative ideas within energy energy production capacities in the
by region. Rising sea levels and the efficiency and green technologies. Northern Seas and proposes that an
increased danger to coastal areas One of the key issues will be to raise offshore grid in the northern seas
from flooding at times of extreme awareness of the issue among the with connection to Northern as well
weather conditions have a specific public and the business community as Central Europe is among the
and similar effect on the countries and explain the link between the priority corridors which will make
bordering the North Sea. Climate actions and climate change. Europe’s electricity grids fit for 2020.
change will add stress to fisheries, On this basis, nine North Sea coun-
agriculture and aquacultures sec- With these challenges also come tries (about 90 % of all EU offshore
tors as well as have severe effects opportunities, and the NSR can posi- wind development) chose a regional
on coasts and marine systems. tion itself to adapt to a new climate approach and signed a Memorandum
The coastal zones erosion rate will and build industries around this. of Understanding (MoU) 34 with the
increase and existing defences may Due to its geographical conditions, objective to coordinate offshore wind
provide insufficient protection. For the North Sea Region has a huge and infrastructure developments in
the North Sea, these are all very potential for renewable energy from the North Sea.
important issues which impact the wind, waves, tide, currents, hydro-
key economic section and therefore power and biomass. Taking advantage
need to be addressed and tackled with of a natural shift towards renewable
common strategies and approaches energy as fossil resources becoming
across policy areas. depleted, the NSR is ideal for large-
scale wind, wave and tidal energy 33
United Nations Framework Convention on
While all the countries in the NSR projects given its natural assets and Climate Change
have or are planning to adopt a technological expertise. The cost 34
The North Sea Countries’ Offshore Grid Initiative
national climate strategy as foreseen of renewable energy technologies - Memorandum of Understanding.
Illustration photo: www.colourbox.no
Illustration photo: www.colourbox.no
Illustration photo: www.colourbox.no
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