An international comparison of sustainable coastal zone management policies

Abstract

Management of coastal resources includes a combination of sectoral and environmental policies. To implement a successful sustainable policy in any coastal region and for the country as a whole a high degree of integration between development and environment policies is an essential prerequisite. OECD governments at all levels, including at the international level, recognise the need for integration, but improvements in sustainable coastal resource management, i.e. maintaining the quality and quantity of the services flowing from coastal resources, have been limited. This paper examines, on the basis of certain criteria, the performance of OECD countries in coastal zone management and suggests measures to improve intergration with the aim of promoting sustainable management of coastal resources.