Ecosystem approach

The ecosystem approach is a holistic use and management planning method. Its key principle is that people are an integral part of nature and affect its functions.

• 1992: The Convention on Biological Diversity highlighted the ecosystem approach.

• 1998: Finland committed to compliance with the Malawi Principles, which describe aspects related to the ecosystem approach in maritime spatial planning and land use planning.

• 2002: The action plan of the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg included the promotion of the comprehensive implementation and development of the ecosystem approach.

• 2003: A declaration issued by the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM) and the OSPAR Commission for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic supported the application of the ecosystem approach to marine decision-making, so that the impacts of human activities on the marine environment can be managed sustainably.

• 2007: The HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan adopted the application of the ecosystem approach as the premise for all human activities and specifically mentioned it in the context of maritime spatial planning and fishing.

• 2008: The Marine Strategy Framework Directive imposes an obligation to use the ecosystem approach to achieve a good status of the marine environment.

• 2014: The requirement for the Member States to apply the ecosystem approach in the preparation of maritime spatial plans is included in the EU Maritime Spatial Planning Directive.

• 2015: The UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development identified the ecosystem approach as a means of sustainable use of the sea and maritime natural resources. 

• 2016: The HELCOM-VASAB maritime spatial planning working group identified nine principles for the application of the ecosystem approach in maritime spatial planning. These principles are recommended to be applied to maritime spatial planning in Finland with regard to the Baltic Sea.

• 2016–2017: The Baltic Scope project examined the application of the ecosystem approach in international cooperation in the Baltic Sea region.

• 2018–2019: The Pan Baltic Scope project continued the application of the ecosystem approach in cooperation with the Baltic Sea countries in national operating environments.

• 2020: A report on the application of the ecosystem approach in the preparation of maritime spatial plans was drawn up as part of the Finnish maritime spatial planning process. The work examined the application methods and implementation of the ecosystem approach, as well as the need for the approach, in the Finnish context.

When applying the ecosystem approach, maritime spatial planning is based on goals related to the status of the marine environment. Such goals determine growth limits for operations in marine areas, as well as ensuring the sustainability of maritime activities. Planning is implemented at the appropriate level, step by step, ensuring that the ecosystem is taken into account throughout the process.

To mitigate environmental impacts, the interaction between the various sectors and the environment is assessed, as well as the interaction between sectors. This requires a comprehensive understanding of the functioning of the socio-ecological system and its application at all stages of the planning process. To serve this purpose, the best possible knowledge base that is available is used in the assessment, concerning both the marine environment and the pressures to which the marine environment is exposed. Stakeholder involvement is important in terms of collecting a sufficient knowledge base, ensuring transparency, communicating uncertainties and mitigating conflicts between sectors. Determining the value of the ecosystem services secured through planning makes it easier to justify the solutions.