LIFE and coastal management

Coastal zones are a key source of raw materials and ecosystems services, sustaining the transport, trade, tourism and leisure sectors while at the same time supporting important natural habitats. A high proportion of EU citizens live by the coast and the well being of these habitats is thus vital to local economies and local health. As a result, it is essential to make use of long-term management tools, such as Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM). The LIFE programme has played an important role in the development of ICZM through a Demonstration Programme (1996 to 1999) and is continuing to fund a wide range of coastal projects.
This LIFE focus publication highlights those projects that have developed best practices on such issues as dealing with coastal erosion, encouraging sustainable tourism, developing technology to tackle oil spills and integrating urban and rural communities with coastal habitats. Such LIFE projects and many others have demonstrated how policy has fed into practice for the benefit of Europe's coastal regions.