What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to create a framework that systematically assesses how Maritime Spatial Plans support the European Green Deal objectives.

March 12, 2026Open Access

Disentangle the skein: a nomenclature framework to assess the contribution of Maritime Spatial Plans to the European Green Deal

MBMartina BocciConsortium for Coordination of Research activities Concerning the Venice Lagoon System ACAlexandre CornetCentre d'Études et d'Expertise sur les Risques, l'Environnement, la Mobilité et l'Aménagement VAVesa ArkiCouncil of State

Key Points

The aim is to create a framework that systematically assesses how Maritime Spatial Plans support the European Green Deal objectives.
Developed an EGD–MSP nomenclature framework.
Clustered EGD ambitions into seven main topics and sub-topics.
Conducted desk analysis of MSP plans and related documents across seven EU countries.
Conducted targeted interviews and a workshop for feedback and insights.
Utilized a semi-quantitative synthesis to compare EGD elements in MSP.
Climate change mitigation is widely addressed, mainly through offshore renewable energy.
Climate change adaptation is present but often indirect.
Biodiversity protection is common, whereas restoration efforts are limited.
Objectives related to blue circular economy and zero pollution appear more often than concrete measures.
Emerging approaches to a fair transition include improved participation and transparency, though challenges remain.

Abstract

The European Green Deal (EGD) sets an ambitious, cross-sectoral agenda with direct implications for the sea. Yet methods to systematically assess how national Maritime Spatial Plans contribute to EGD objectives remain scarce. The article proposes an EGD–MSP nomenclature that translates the EGD's complexity into a practical, adaptable framework for practical application in Maritime Spatial Planning. The framework clusters EGD ambitions into seven topics—climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation, sustainable seafood production, biodiversity and ecosystem protection and restoration, blue circular economy, zero pollution, and fair and just transition—and organises them hierarchically into sub-topics and operational elements. The nomenclature was tested across seven EU countries (Bulgaria, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Spain) using desk analysis of MSP plans and related documents, targeted interviews, and a workshop to examine aspects common to the participating countries. A semi-quantitative synthesis (YES/PARTIALLY/NO) enabled consistent comparison of how EGD elements appear in MSP visions, objectives, and measures. Results show that climate change mitigation is widely and explicitly addressed—primarily via offshore renewable energy—while adaptation is present but often indirect. Biodiversity protection is common, whereas restoration remains limited. Blue circular economy and zero-pollution objectives are referenced more often in objectives than in concrete measures. Approaches to a fair and just transition are emerging, with participation and transparency improving, yet institutional, financial and technical knowledge capacities remain uneven. The nomenclature balances harmonisation and interpretative flexibility, enabling robust cross-national comparisons without imposing uniformity. Beyond analysis, it provides a practical scaffold for implementation, monitoring, and iterative plan revision, and can be extended into an indicator-based system to track MSP contributions to the EGD over time.

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