3.6 Cross-Compliance in integrative planning

This Deliverable D3.6 presents the results of CrossGov’s Task 3.2, which investigates the coherence among planning systems established under three EU Directives: the Water Framework Directive (WFD), the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), and the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive (MSPD). The analysis is based on four case studies located in the Finnish Archipelago, the North Adriatic Sea, the French Mediterranean Sea, and the Oslo Fjord. The study Page 2 of 111 explores whether planning processes under these directives operate in cross-compliance to support the European Green Deal (EGD) objectives on zero pollution and marine biodiversity. Two analytical frameworks guided the research: the Policy Coherence Framework and the Science-PolicySociety Interface assessment framework. Findings highlight mechanisms and practices used by national and local authorities to enhance policy coherence, particularly horizontal coherence across the three planning systems. The case studies also identify areas of incoherence and suggestions or transferable lessons, especially where operational solutions already exist area also offered. These insights may be relevant to other EU contexts aiming to strengthen integrated marine and water governance in support of EGD goals