|
|
| (5 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown) |
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| − | Stakeholder participation and, therefore, public participation is an important principle of Integrated Coastal Management. In order to understand the importance of public participation in the coastal region, it is first necessary to appreciate that the European Union has established that coastal management is a European issue that is shared by the member states and that problems cannot be solved by a single member state. Our coasts have a common natural heritage; transfers of pollutants and sediments, tourist flows and maritime safety. Furthermore, European policy has a great influence on the development of the coast, in particular in the areas of fisheries, regional policy and agriculture. Finally, there is recognition that there is a need for knowledge and experience exchange in the field of coastal management, especially in areas where there is high political and public demand for the sustainable development and conservation of the coastal zone.
| + | #REDIRECT [[Stakeholders]] |
| − | | |
| − | The European Commission, based upon socio-economic costs and benefits of ICM, have stated that one of the most essential features of ICM is “stakeholder consultation and commitment”. Nonetheless, although the public is, more or less, generally accepted to be a stakeholder or an actor in ICM, it is not possible to determine the level of public participation. This is most likely to differ in each Member state.
| |
| − | | |
| − | There are many benefits to public participation in environmental decision making; all of these benefits also apply to the coastal region since many are principles and provisions for effective democracy. The general benefits of public participation in environmental issues are: educating the public and making them aware of environmental issues, using the knowledge and experience of stakeholders to improve plans and policies, more public understanding and supporting, more openness (transparency in decision-making), less disagreements, delays and misunderstandings and the implementation of sustainable development. If it is carried out at a higher level, public participation leads to decisions that are better for the environment because the public contributes with expertise and knowledge. This corresponds with the aim of the Århus Convention – “to further accountability of and transparency in decision making and to strengthen public support for decisions on the environment.”
| |
| − | | |
| − | One major principle and feature of public participation is the principle of subsidiarity. Simply said this is a theory that decisions should be taken at the lowest possible level, this means as closely as possible to the citizen. If one thinks about it, it is not possible to let decisions be made by anyone “lower” than the public and therefore the highest level of public participation would correspond to full implementation of the principle of subsidiarity.
| |
