4
could be governed. Our ultimate aim is to discuss pathways towards a more sustainable environmental governance of the Baltic Sea. Two general trends and associated
challenges relating to environmental governance are of particular interest to the
analysis.
First, linked to the complexity of human pressures and management responses
in the Baltic Sea region, signifi cant differences have evolved in the governance
frameworks of various environmental issues, over time and between problem areas.
The chapters of this book describe and analyse the evolution of this complex web
of Baltic Sea environmental governance structures, through comparative investigations of in-depth case studies of fi ve important problems and risks: eutrophication,
overfi shing , invasive alien species , chemical pollution and oil discharges.
Second, the Ecosystem Approach to Management (EAM) is today widely
acclaimed in science and policy circles worldwide as a means to integrate measures
in order to reach desired socioeconomic and environmental objectives, thereby
facilitating sustainable development of marine and coastal areas (e.g. Backer et al.
2010 ; CBD 1998 ; Curtin and Prellezo 2010 ). According to this holistic approach,
sustainable management of human activities and pressures should be based on
the specifi c sensitivity and complexity of the ecosystem in focus, as well as on
integration of cumulative pressures, e.g. over various sources of pollution and
resource extraction (Hammer 2015 ; McLeod and Leslie 2009 ). Central to the
concept is that management should be based on all forms of relevant knowledge and
experience (e.g. scientifi c, local, actor-based knowledge), as well as on stakeholder
participation , precaution and adaptability (cf. Hammer et al. 2011 ). However, since
EAM is a very broad concept, views on what it exactly implies and how it should be
implemented varies among and within different stakeholder groups, as well as
among various groups of experts and researchers contributing to science-based
advice. This multifaceted understanding and the framing and implementation of
EAM is described and analysed in several chapters of the book with respect to the
governance of particular environmental problems and risks, as well as in terms of
challenges for processes of science-policy interactions, stakeholder communication
and participation. In the concluding chapter, this discussion on problems and opportunities associated with achieving integration, across, for example, levels, sectors,
interests and knowledge claims, is expanded to also include an attempt to identify
broader pathways, as well as concrete institutional reforms and strategies that
potentially could strengthen EAM implementation and outcomes.
Despite (and to some extent as a consequence of) these trends, i.e. the development of complex governance arrangements and the adoption of EAM, a number of
key challenges remain as important obstacles for achieving sustainable governance
of the Baltic Sea (Gilek et al. 2011 ), as well as marine ecosystems elsewhere
(e.g. Gilek and Kern 2015 ). Of particular interest to the aims of this volume are
three challenges that relate to multilevel , knowledge - based and inclusive environmental governance of the Baltic Sea. The fi rst challenge concerns diffi culties to
establish adequate regional cross - sectoral collaboration among Baltic Sea policy
actors due to existing institutional structures and procedures, power relations, cultures and varying policy styles in the different countries of the region. The second
M. Gilek et al.
could be governed. Our ultimate aim is to discuss pathways towards a more sustainable environmental governance of the Baltic Sea. Two general trends and associated
challenges relating to environmental governance are of particular interest to the
analysis.
First, linked to the complexity of human pressures and management responses
in the Baltic Sea region, signifi cant differences have evolved in the governance
frameworks of various environmental issues, over time and between problem areas.
The chapters of this book describe and analyse the evolution of this complex web
of Baltic Sea environmental governance structures, through comparative investigations of in-depth case studies of fi ve important problems and risks: eutrophication,
overfi shing , invasive alien species , chemical pollution and oil discharges.
Second, the Ecosystem Approach to Management (EAM) is today widely
acclaimed in science and policy circles worldwide as a means to integrate measures
in order to reach desired socioeconomic and environmental objectives, thereby
facilitating sustainable development of marine and coastal areas (e.g. Backer et al.
2010 ; CBD 1998 ; Curtin and Prellezo 2010 ). According to this holistic approach,
sustainable management of human activities and pressures should be based on
the specifi c sensitivity and complexity of the ecosystem in focus, as well as on
integration of cumulative pressures, e.g. over various sources of pollution and
resource extraction (Hammer 2015 ; McLeod and Leslie 2009 ). Central to the
concept is that management should be based on all forms of relevant knowledge and
experience (e.g. scientifi c, local, actor-based knowledge), as well as on stakeholder
participation , precaution and adaptability (cf. Hammer et al. 2011 ). However, since
EAM is a very broad concept, views on what it exactly implies and how it should be
implemented varies among and within different stakeholder groups, as well as
among various groups of experts and researchers contributing to science-based
advice. This multifaceted understanding and the framing and implementation of
EAM is described and analysed in several chapters of the book with respect to the
governance of particular environmental problems and risks, as well as in terms of
challenges for processes of science-policy interactions, stakeholder communication
and participation. In the concluding chapter, this discussion on problems and opportunities associated with achieving integration, across, for example, levels, sectors,
interests and knowledge claims, is expanded to also include an attempt to identify
broader pathways, as well as concrete institutional reforms and strategies that
potentially could strengthen EAM implementation and outcomes.
Despite (and to some extent as a consequence of) these trends, i.e. the development of complex governance arrangements and the adoption of EAM, a number of
key challenges remain as important obstacles for achieving sustainable governance
of the Baltic Sea (Gilek et al. 2011 ), as well as marine ecosystems elsewhere
(e.g. Gilek and Kern 2015 ). Of particular interest to the aims of this volume are
three challenges that relate to multilevel , knowledge - based and inclusive environmental governance of the Baltic Sea. The fi rst challenge concerns diffi culties to
establish adequate regional cross - sectoral collaboration among Baltic Sea policy
actors due to existing institutional structures and procedures, power relations, cultures and varying policy styles in the different countries of the region. The second
M. Gilek et al.