Status: No comprehensive Danish ICZM National Strategy, following the EU ICZM Recommendation has yet been formulated. Some initial steps were taken until 2003, when it was decided to have a major structural reform of the Danish municipal system. A number of initiatives were developed to promote ICZM. These included surveys of coastal management practices, establishment of a network including national authorities engaged in the marine environment, enabling legislation regarding new summer cottage areas in coastal areas. The reform will be implemented in 2007. Danish participation in a number of Interreg projects concerning integrated management and spatial planning in the coastal zone at land and at sea, and implementation of ICZM elements in the Wadden Sea conservation area.
The Danish government perceives the Danish planning system in general to be adequate to manage the challenges to secure a proper balance between conservation and development of the coastal zone. Weaknesses and gaps are dealt with currently by adjusting existing laws, regulations and practices as well as implementing EU Directives and policies.
In 2003, the Danish government decided to implement a major reform of the regional and local government structure. Upon this decision, the Ministry of Environment decided that it would be more appropriate to postpone a debate on a possible national strategy on ICZM to after 2007 when the reform is implemented.
The Report submitted clearly demonstrates little progress on ICZM has been made in Denmark since 2003 and that it will take time before ICZM will come on the Danish political agenda.
Reporting Institution
Miljøministeriet/ Ministry of Environment
Landsplankontoret/Spatial Planning Department
Skov og Naturstyrelsen/ Danish Forest and Nature Agency
This is the leading organization and unit for ICZM in Denmark at the national level, responsible for integrated management and sustainable development in coastal and marine areas, including the EEZ.