Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the UK

Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) aims to establish sustainable levels of economic and social activity in our coastal areas while protecting the coastal environment for the benefit of all. It brings together all those involved in the development, management and use of the coast by integrating their interests and responsibilities.  It seeks to ‘join up’ the different policies that have an effect on the coast and produce better decisions, which are informed, supported and implemented by different stakeholders.  

On 30 May 2002, European Member States adopted a Recommendation on implementing ICZM in Europe. They were asked to undertake a national stocktake of legislation, institutions and stakeholders involved in the management of the coastal zone and, based on this, develop national strategies to deliver ICZM.  The principles in this proposal are already part of the UK's approach to coastal policy and the Government welcomed the Recommendation as providing fresh impetus to delivering effective coastal management in Europe.  The findings of this Stocktake can be found here

Member States were asked to report back to the Commission on their experience in implementing the Recommendation.  In 2003 Defra and the devolved administrations joined together to commission the ICZM stocktaking for the UK.  The Stocktake presented a mixed picture of the current level of integrated coastal management in the UK. There were good examples at the local level where voluntary integrated action to resolve conflicts had been successful.  The Stocktake also demonstrated that coastal fora/partnerships (for example on estuaries) were an effective way of moving ICZM forward at a local level.

The Government is committed to adopting an integrated approach to coastal zone management in general, and the principles of ICZM will be embedded throughout the relevant legislation in the Marine Bill.

Successful ICZM may involve adopting the following principles: (after Defra 2002)

• A long term view
• A broad holistic approach
• Adaptive management
• Working with natural processes
• Support and involvement of all relevant administrative bodies
• Use of a combination of instruments
• Participatory planning
• Reflecting local characteristics