In early 2021, the Erasmus+ knowledge flows partnership organised a session to discuss the future of marine spatial planning (MSP) at an international conference. We, a group of nine early career researchers, came together after the conference to continue the discussion: which topics should be considered in future MSP, what are the challenges, and which solutions are there to overcome these challenges? This communication shall raise awareness of the topics of climate change, ecological sustainability, blue justice, ecosystem services, and blue governance, which we identified as important for future MSP endeavours. We show the interconnectedness of the topics and argue that transdisciplinary education is required to contribute to a common understanding of MSP, which adopts an ecosystem-based approach, ensures equitable distribution of benefits, and secures ecologically sustainable development within an adaptive governance framework.
Questions this practice may help answer:
- Which topics should be considered in future MSP, what are the challenges, and which solutions exist to overcome these challenges?
- How to set the scene for Climate Change within MSP?
- How to tackle the uncertainties associated with ecological sustainability?
- How to ensure equity and Blue Justice with MSP?
Implementation Context:
This communication emerged from a session at the online conference MSP NATURE 2021. The session was organised by the Erasmus+ project “Knowledge Flows in Marine Spatial Planning—Sharing Innovation in Higher Education”.
Aspects / Objectives:
A group of nine early career researchers came together after the conference to continue the discussion: which topics should be considered in future MSP, what are the challenges, and which solutions exist to overcome these challenges? This communication raises awareness of the topics of climate change, ecological sustainability, blue justice, ecosystem services, and blue governance, which were identified as important for future MSP endeavours.
Method:
Transdisciplinary brainstorming.
Main Outputs / Results:
The paper highlights the interconnectedness of the topics and argue that transdisciplinary education is required to contribute to a common understanding of MSP, which adopts an ecosystem-based approach, ensures equitable distribution of benefits, and secures ecologically sustainable development within an adaptive governance framework.
Transferability:
The topics and issues addressed in this paper can find echo in all MSP processes, in Europe and further afield.
Responsible Entity:
Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW), 18119 Rostock, Germany.
Costs / Funding Source:
Erasmus+ project “Knowledge Flows in Marine Spatial Planning—Sharing Innovation in Higher Education” (grant number KA203-2019-011), which receives funding from the Erasmus+ program of the European Union.
Contact person:
Miriam von Thenen - miriam.thenen@io-warnemuende.de