229
© The Author(s) 2016
M. Gilek et al. (eds.), Environmental Governance of the Baltic Sea,
MARE Publication Series 10, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-27006-7_10
Chapter 10
Seeking Pathways Towards Improved
Environmental Governance of the Baltic Sea
Michael Gilek and Mikael Karlsson
Abstract Governing marine environments is a highly complex and challenging
enterprise. This applies particularly to the heavily exploited Baltic Sea for which
despite extensive governance arrangements and a substantial scientifi c knowledge
base, it is unlikely that the policy objective of ‘good environmental status’ is
reached. Based on a review of governance arrangements linked to fi ve large-scale
environmental issues (eutrophication, overfi shing, invasive alien species, chemical
pollution and oil spills from shipping), this chapter aims to identify pathways and
concrete ideas for institutional reform that may improve goal fulfi lment. The results
show that governance challenges differ substantially between environmental issues,
implying a need for case-specifi c management reforms. For example, coping with
extreme uncertainty is a key challenge in the chemical pollution case, whereas it
seems more pertinent in the eutrophication case to address the complexity of nutrient pollution sources by adapting objectives and measures amongst sectoral policies
to be in line with environmental ones. Furthermore, cross-case comparisons reveal
a set of common vital functions (i.e. coordination, integration, interdisciplinarity,
precaution, deliberation, communication and adaptability) that are needed in order
to facilitate effective and effi cient environmental governance in the long term. To
promote these functions in Baltic Sea environmental governance, the chapter suggests pathways and institutional reforms aimed at improving multilevel and multisectoral integration, science-policy interactions and stakeholder participation. To
further develop these ideas, it is proposed amongst other things that priority is given
to setting up an international ‘Baltic Sea Policy Review Mechanism’, formed by
cross-body and cross-stakeholder participation.
Keywords Ecosystem approach to management • Marine policy • Environmental
policy integration • Science-policy interactions • Stakeholder participation
M. Gilek (*) • M. Karlsson
School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies ,
Södertörn University , 14189 Huddinge , Sweden
e-mail: michael.gilek@sh.se; mikael.karlsson@2050.se
© The Author(s) 2016
M. Gilek et al. (eds.), Environmental Governance of the Baltic Sea,
MARE Publication Series 10, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-27006-7_10
Chapter 10
Seeking Pathways Towards Improved
Environmental Governance of the Baltic Sea
Michael Gilek and Mikael Karlsson
Abstract Governing marine environments is a highly complex and challenging
enterprise. This applies particularly to the heavily exploited Baltic Sea for which
despite extensive governance arrangements and a substantial scientifi c knowledge
base, it is unlikely that the policy objective of ‘good environmental status’ is
reached. Based on a review of governance arrangements linked to fi ve large-scale
environmental issues (eutrophication, overfi shing, invasive alien species, chemical
pollution and oil spills from shipping), this chapter aims to identify pathways and
concrete ideas for institutional reform that may improve goal fulfi lment. The results
show that governance challenges differ substantially between environmental issues,
implying a need for case-specifi c management reforms. For example, coping with
extreme uncertainty is a key challenge in the chemical pollution case, whereas it
seems more pertinent in the eutrophication case to address the complexity of nutrient pollution sources by adapting objectives and measures amongst sectoral policies
to be in line with environmental ones. Furthermore, cross-case comparisons reveal
a set of common vital functions (i.e. coordination, integration, interdisciplinarity,
precaution, deliberation, communication and adaptability) that are needed in order
to facilitate effective and effi cient environmental governance in the long term. To
promote these functions in Baltic Sea environmental governance, the chapter suggests pathways and institutional reforms aimed at improving multilevel and multisectoral integration, science-policy interactions and stakeholder participation. To
further develop these ideas, it is proposed amongst other things that priority is given
to setting up an international ‘Baltic Sea Policy Review Mechanism’, formed by
cross-body and cross-stakeholder participation.
Keywords Ecosystem approach to management • Marine policy • Environmental
policy integration • Science-policy interactions • Stakeholder participation
M. Gilek (*) • M. Karlsson
School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies ,
Södertörn University , 14189 Huddinge , Sweden
e-mail: michael.gilek@sh.se; mikael.karlsson@2050.se