Strategic issues - European union

The European Commission has published a report on the progress of Member States addressing water scarcity and droughts. The Commission has launched a public consultation exploring the alternatives options for future EU action on maritime spatial planning and integrated coastal zone management. The coastal Member States have been recommended to set up comprehensive strategies ensuring sustainable coastal development along their shores, in an approach, Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM). The Commission has requested the Member States complying with Directive 2008/56, the Marine Strategy Directive. The Directive requires Member States to develop coordinated strategies protecting and restoring Europe's marine ecosystems and to ensure the ecological sustainability of activities linked to the marine environment.