230
10.1 Introduction
The aims of this book and the underlying research
1 have been to achieve a better and
more comprehensive understanding of the complex structures and processes associated with the governance of the Baltic Sea environment and, based on this, to
explore problems and opportunities when trying to cope with the identifi ed key
governance challenges (Gilek et al. 2015b ). We addressed these aims by characterising the problems and risks and by analysing the governance structures, processes
and key challenges associated with fi ve large-scale environmental problems and
risks in the Baltic Sea: eutrophication, overfi shing, invasive alien species, chemical
pollution and oil spills from shipping (Hassler 2016 ; Karlsson and Gilek 2016 ;
Karlsson et al. 2016 ; Sellke et al. 2016 ; Smolarz et al. 2016 ). Based on these case
studies, we subsequently explored the key fi ndings in a cross-case analysis of three
important dimensions of primary concern for environmental governance: multilevel
and multisectoral structures (Boström et al. 2016 ), assessment-management processes and interactions (Linke et al. 2016 ) and stakeholder participation and communication (Jönsson et al. 2016 ). In each of these eight studies, a number of ideas
were already identifi ed on how to potentially develop and improve Baltic Sea
governance.
In this fi nal chapter, we attempt to take the case and cross-case conclusions further and seek to identify broader pathways, as well as concrete institutional reforms
and strategies that we consider could improve environmental governance structures
and processes in the Baltic Sea region (BSR). Clearly, these are formidable tasks,
since marine environmental governance often is characterised by multiple and
potentially confl icting interests (e.g. fi sheries, shipping, recreation and conservation), combined with complex ecosystems and multifaceted governance structures
and interactions at local, national and international levels in both the public and
private spheres. As a consequence, integrated environmental governance of a
regional sea like the Baltic Sea has been considered a ‘wicked’ problem where
problem perceptions amongst stakeholders, sectors and countries usually are contested and management responses mostly less than ideal (cf. Gilek et al. 2015a ;
Jentoft and Chuenpagdee 2009 ). However, even though this insight initially led us
to adopt a quite ‘modest’ approach by elaborating ideas for long-term structural and
processual reforms based on refl exive thinking (Boström et al. 2016 ), we believe
that the severity and urgency of environmental problems and governance shortcomings in the Baltic Sea is a reason to also attempt to develop proposals for concrete
and more directly applicable reform measures. In trying to suggest concrete
improvements, we approach it humbly by inviting others to scrutinise and debate
our proposals. Hopefully, this will stimulate a constructive process resulting in
1 This edited volume presents the fi ndings of the research projects RISKGOV (Environmental Risk
Governance of the Baltic Sea) and COOP (Cooperating for Sustainable Marine Governance),
which were international interdisciplinary research projects focused on understanding practices
and challenges for environmental governance of the Baltic Sea. See, e.g. www.sh.se/riskgov
M. Gilek and M. Karlsson
10.1 Introduction
The aims of this book and the underlying research
1 have been to achieve a better and
more comprehensive understanding of the complex structures and processes associated with the governance of the Baltic Sea environment and, based on this, to
explore problems and opportunities when trying to cope with the identifi ed key
governance challenges (Gilek et al. 2015b ). We addressed these aims by characterising the problems and risks and by analysing the governance structures, processes
and key challenges associated with fi ve large-scale environmental problems and
risks in the Baltic Sea: eutrophication, overfi shing, invasive alien species, chemical
pollution and oil spills from shipping (Hassler 2016 ; Karlsson and Gilek 2016 ;
Karlsson et al. 2016 ; Sellke et al. 2016 ; Smolarz et al. 2016 ). Based on these case
studies, we subsequently explored the key fi ndings in a cross-case analysis of three
important dimensions of primary concern for environmental governance: multilevel
and multisectoral structures (Boström et al. 2016 ), assessment-management processes and interactions (Linke et al. 2016 ) and stakeholder participation and communication (Jönsson et al. 2016 ). In each of these eight studies, a number of ideas
were already identifi ed on how to potentially develop and improve Baltic Sea
governance.
In this fi nal chapter, we attempt to take the case and cross-case conclusions further and seek to identify broader pathways, as well as concrete institutional reforms
and strategies that we consider could improve environmental governance structures
and processes in the Baltic Sea region (BSR). Clearly, these are formidable tasks,
since marine environmental governance often is characterised by multiple and
potentially confl icting interests (e.g. fi sheries, shipping, recreation and conservation), combined with complex ecosystems and multifaceted governance structures
and interactions at local, national and international levels in both the public and
private spheres. As a consequence, integrated environmental governance of a
regional sea like the Baltic Sea has been considered a ‘wicked’ problem where
problem perceptions amongst stakeholders, sectors and countries usually are contested and management responses mostly less than ideal (cf. Gilek et al. 2015a ;
Jentoft and Chuenpagdee 2009 ). However, even though this insight initially led us
to adopt a quite ‘modest’ approach by elaborating ideas for long-term structural and
processual reforms based on refl exive thinking (Boström et al. 2016 ), we believe
that the severity and urgency of environmental problems and governance shortcomings in the Baltic Sea is a reason to also attempt to develop proposals for concrete
and more directly applicable reform measures. In trying to suggest concrete
improvements, we approach it humbly by inviting others to scrutinise and debate
our proposals. Hopefully, this will stimulate a constructive process resulting in
1 This edited volume presents the fi ndings of the research projects RISKGOV (Environmental Risk
Governance of the Baltic Sea) and COOP (Cooperating for Sustainable Marine Governance),
which were international interdisciplinary research projects focused on understanding practices
and challenges for environmental governance of the Baltic Sea. See, e.g. www.sh.se/riskgov
M. Gilek and M. Karlsson