EESC benadrukt belang duurzame ontwikkeling Europese kustgebieden (en)

Figures and graphics available in PDF and WORD PROCESSED

CES/10/8

21 January 20

10

EESC calls for special focus on coastal regions

Sustainable development needs to be the principle ruling Europe an coastal policy. The variety of Europe's coastline is its asset but may also be a threat for its development. This is the main message of the opinion by the EESC's Sustainable Development Observatory

Figures and graphics available in PDF and WORD PROCESSED adopted at the January plenary session.

The EESC emphasised that the European Union's 136 000 kilometres of coastline represent a considerable asset, given its variety. Its concentration of transport infrastructure, industries and tourist accommodation, its rich biodiversity and the wide range of specific local identities found there are of a high value and attract a great number of tourists every year. But the very diversity of these regions can threaten their attractiveness, due to factors such as demographics, land scarcity, agriculture, economic development and tourism.

"It is only by adopting policies based on the concept of sustainable development in the economic, social and environmental fields that a bright future for European coastal regions can be ensured. If we think that 40% of Europe's population lives close to the sea and that all the forecasts point to a big increase in population and economic activity in coastal areas in the years ahead, then we must feel a special concern about the sustainability of development in these regions," said the President of the Sustainable Development Observatory Stéphane Buffetaut (Group I, Employers, France).

The EESC's own-initiative opinion covers such issues as environmental protection, transport, coastal economic activities in difficulty, tourism and climate change. In its main recommendations, it stresses the need to set up a European network and a European label for coastal areas and supports the trans-European transport network programme by emphasising the importance of projects such as the motorways of the sea and the rail route of the Ionian/Adriatic intermodal corridor. In addition, it highlights the need to effectively target action by the European Social Fund, the European Regional Development Fund and the European Fisheries Guidance Fund to benefit coastal regions which are facing particular difficulties and thus facilitate their transition to new economic activities. Finally, the EESC is in favour of setting up a European scientific and technical committee with responsibility for forecasting and preparing possible strategies to meet the challenge of rising sea levels.

" It is extremely important to adopt measures to raise awareness of the marine environment and preserve it for the well-being of present and future generations. Coastal areas are a source of economic prosperity but they also offer a high level of quality of life and social well-being. We have to be careful not to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs," concluded Mr Buffetaut .

For more information please consul t https://toad.eesc.europa.eu/AgendaDocuments.aspx?pmi=c3vZ7VUXHdM%3d

Or send an e-mail to nat@eesc.europa.eu