The European Union will make more than 40 new commitments to protect our oceans in the framework of the Our Ocean Conference, which will be held in Athens through Wednesday. These commitments add up to around 3.5 billion euros, the highest contribution made by the bloc since the beginning of the conference ten years ago.
Speaking to Kathimerini before arriving at the conference, which started on Monday, European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevicius notes the great progress achieved thanks to EU policies , while also underscoring the ongoing deficit in scientific research.
He then notes that Greece should “carefully assess” whether hydrocarbon extraction is “compatible” with EU and national decarbonisation targets.
Over the last two decades, EU policies have focused heavily on the marine environment. In your opinion, what are the biggest achievements and what are the areas where a different approach is needed?
The EU has one of the most advanced frameworks for protecting the marine environment. Our member states have developed comprehensive and coordinated maritime strategies, as required by EU law, to protect our seas and ensure their sustainable use. This requires us to carefully balance our activities at sea and on land so that they do not harm marine life and habitats through an ecosystem-based approach – what we call good environmental standing to this. Thanks to this, today we know much more about our seas and oceans than we did before. We have set boundaries to respect the boundaries of the sea. For example, we have agreed the level of underwater noise that certain areas of the sea can have, we have limits for the amount of marine litter on our beaches; we have limits on how much seabed can be lost or damaged. We also have limits on how many fish can be caught, or the levels of pollutants allowed in our marine waters.
The European Green Deal, in particular the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the zero pollution action plan, added to the trend, setting ambitious targets to establish marine protected areas by 2030 for at least 30% of our oceans. It also led to legal proposals for the restoration of nature, including the marine environment. We have proposed an action plan to protect and restore marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries. We have set targets to reduce litter and plastic waste at sea by 50% by 2030 and microplastics released into the environment by 30%. In the last two decades, the European Union has invested heavily in maritime knowledge and developed open and open access data infrastructures and maritime services. The uses are endless. Despite the great advances brought about by these achievements, we can still make significant improvements in the way we collect and evaluate maritime knowledge – something that is essential if we are to adapt to change. climate, to have a thriving blue economy, including sustainable fisheries, and coastal enhancement. stability across Europe. There are important gaps in data and information that we need to cover: on our knowledge of biological species, on the impact of human activity on the marine environment, on the deep sea and more. We must continue to invest in research to fill these gaps.
Internationally, the EU and its member states have played an important role in securing agreement for the High Seas Convention. This Convention will enable the establishment of marine protected areas in the high seas at a global level, protecting the ocean from human pressures significantly contributing to the mitigation of climate change, protecting biodiversity and achieve the goal of protecting at least 30% of the planet. by 2030.
“Greek authorities should carefully assess whether activities such as oil and gas exploration are in line with EU and national decarbonisation objectives.
The Greek government announced a few days ago the first of 20 “Greek” commitments, which will be announced at the Our Ocean Conference. What key EU commitments will be announced?
The EU also announces at least 40 commitments: from sustainable fishing to marine protection, climate, the blue economy, marine pollution, maritime security and research. It is a true demonstration of the EU’s strong engagement in international ocean governance. And these are not just verbal promises: we are backing them with €3.5 billion. This represents the largest amount ever announced by the EU since the Our Ocean conferences began in 2014.
The temperature of the Mediterranean Sea broke a new record last year. Some scientists believe that the record will be broken again this summer. How can the Mediterranean countries deal with the impact on the marine environment? Can there be effective policies, when international waters are excluded by law?
As contracting parties to the Barcelona Convention and its protocols, the countries around the Mediterranean basin cooperate and guarantee the effective protection of the Mediterranean Sea and the coastal area. As climate change is one of the main pressures in the region, the work under the Barcelona Convention includes many actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change. For example, in the context of the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Framework, as well as in the larger context of the convention’s Medium-Term Strategy to strengthen the resilience of Mediterranean marine ecosystems. Recently, the convention’s COP23 (December 2023) saw a renewed commitment to climate action by the BC with the establishment of a Regional Action Center on Climate Change hosted by Turkey. This center will act as a hub to support and strengthen climate change related activities/programs under the BC. In addition, the contracting parties at COP23 supported a special report on Climate and Environmental Risks produced by the Mediterranean Experts on Climate and Environmental Change (MedECC).
One of the Greek commitments relates to the creation of two national marine parks, one in the Aegean and one in the Ionian Sea. At the same time, Greece is proceeding with hydrocarbon extraction drilling in the Ionian Sea and southwest of Crete. Are these two compatible? Does the EU care?
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are vital for conserving marine biodiversity, protecting habitats, managing fisheries, conducting research, building climate resilience, promoting sustainable practices and providing economic benefits to local communities. By protecting marine ecosystems, MPAs support the long-term health and well-being of the ocean and our society. I therefore welcome the commitments of the Greek authorities to create two national marine parks. I hope they will be part of Greece’s contribution to the EU-wide Natura 2000 network and to achieving EU and world targets to protect 30% of the EU’s seas, a third of which are strictly protected .
In relation to hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation, activities such as seismic surveys can disturb many marine species, especially through high pressure noise. Under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive, to ensure a high level of protection of the marine environment, especially species and habitats, environmental impact assessment and screening procedures for projects in the marine environment should take into account the technology being used ‘ use, such as seismic surveys. In addition, all species of cetaceans and four species of sea turtles are strictly protected under the Habitats Directive. It is expected that the Greek authorities will establish a strict protection system for these species in their entire natural range, prohibiting all forms of capture or deliberate killing of their specimens and their disturbance alone business, as well as degradation or destruction of breeding sites or resting places. Any significant disturbance to protected species in Natura 2000 sites should also be avoided. To assist member states in implementing these provisions, including the impact of hydrocarbon exploration, the Commission has adopted an updated guidance document on the strict protection of animal species under the directive and a guidance document on management Natura 2000 sites. In addition, national authorities must consider the impact of seismic surveys on the marine environment in their marine strategies under the Marine Strategic Framework Directive (MSFD), especially for disturbance to the bottom of the marine, including hazardous materials, marine litter, and energy sources such as underwater light and sound.
Finally, I would like to emphasize that, in relation to the EU’s climate objectives, the Greek authorities should carefully assess whether activities such as oil and gas exploration are in line with EU and national decarbonisation objectives. The focus of the Commission’s energy policies is to prioritize energy efficiency, renewable energy and gas decarbonisation, recognizing that energy supply must be secure and affordable for consumers and businesses.
There has been a public debate in Greece over the past two years about over-tourism and over-building and their effects, especially on the islands. What do you think about the matter? Who do you think it should be addressed to?
The Commission is in favor of development and tourism, as it creates jobs and boosts the local economy. However, the aim should be to promote these activities at the same time as complying with the principles of environmental protection and sustainable development. Although there is no specific EU legislation regarding respect for the environment in the tourism sector, the relevant EU legislation and policies should be respected. For example, the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive (1) applies to issues of plans or programs that may lead to the creation of specific projects, but the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive (2) is relevant when specific projects are be raised. In addition, when planning projects within (or potentially affecting) areas included in the Natura 2000 network of protected areas, requirements must be met Habitat Management (3). Finally, the Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution together with its protocols are also relevant for activities in marine and coastal areas.
