Abstract
Ecosystems all over the world are under increasing pressure from human uses. The UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 (UN SDG 14) seeks to ensure sustainability below water by 2020; however, the ongoing biodiversity loss and habitat deterioration challenge the achievement of this goal. Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) is a developing practice with a similar objective to the UN SDG 14, albeit research shows that most MSP cases prioritize economic objectives above environmental objectives. This paper presents an assessment of how MSP can contribute to achieving the UN SDG 14. Results are presented in three steps. First, a representative definition of MSP is presented. Secondly, activities that can be addressed through MSP are laid out. Lastly, results are used to assess how MSP can contribute to the achievement of the UN SDG 14 targets and indicators. This assessment shows great potential for MSP to play a role in the achievement of the UN SDG 14.
Highlights
The increasing level of interest in the marine space has put severe and diverse pressures on marine ecosystems
It is clear from this study that the practice of marine spatial planning (MSP) can play an important role in ensuring sustainability for life below water and achieving SDG 14
It became clear that while MSP is an ideal tool for some SDG 14 targets, others cannot be properly addressed through MSP and require alternative management approaches
Summary
The increasing level of interest in the marine space has put severe and diverse pressures on marine ecosystems For this reason, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 (UN SDG 14), Life Below Water, was formulated with the objective to “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development” (UN, 2015). . .) promote the sustainable growth of MSP Contribution to SDG 14 maritime economies, the sustainable development of marine areas and the sustainable use of marine resources” (European Commission, 2014) For this reason, the purposes of MSP largely mirror the ones of the UN SDG 14. MSP should be able to contribute to the achievement of the SDG 14 (Ntona and Morgera, 2018; Frazão Santos et al, 2020; Calado et al, 2021)
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