Coastal protection

The Habitats Directive defines coastal sand dunes of the North Sea as a natural habitats type of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation.

European Spatial Development Perspective
Towards Balanced and Sustainable Development of the Territory of the EU.

The directive establishes a framework for Community action in the field of water policy. Its purpose is to "establish a framework for the protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and groundwater". It refers to some extent to flood protection.

This recommendation concerns the implementation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management in Europe. Integrated Coastal Zone Management takes into account coastal erosion and flooding which are amplified by climate change.

Directive on the assessment and management of flood risks. This directive establishes a framework for the assessment and management of flood risks. Its purpose is the "reduction of the adverse consequences for human health, the environment, cultural heritage and economic activity associated with floods in the Community" (Art. 1). This Directive gives the countries the flexibility on how to achieve their goals.

The Directive establishes a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy. It aims to protect the marine and coastal environment.

The directive establishes a framework for the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment. For coastal work to combat erosion and maritime works which can affect the coast (e.g. dykes, sea defence works...), Member States can decide if there should be an assessment for the project. in accordance with Articles 5 to 10.

The regulation refers to the European system of national and regional accounts in the European Union. It refers to coastal flood defence projects.

This directive amends Directive 2011/92/EU on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment. As coastal zones are sensitive geographical areas, projects must be considered with particular attention.

The Directive amends Directive 2008/56/EC as regards the indicative lists of elements to be taken into account for the preparation of marine strategies. In this directive, coastals defence and flood protection projects are listed as uses affecting the marine environment.

This decision lays down criteria and methodological standards on good environmental status of marine waters and specifications and standardised methods for monitoring and assessment. Regarding coastal waters, it refers to Directive 2000/60/EC.

Ordinance on public flood protection systems. It applies to the Neuwerk coastal flood defence works.

Hamburg Water Act. It defines a specific legal framework on flood defence.

Hamburg Climate Protection Act. According to § 5 on the adaptation to the consequences of climate change, the Senate must take into account those consequences including through measures of preventive flood protection.

Law for the Protection of the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea (National Park Law - NPG). It aims the protection of coastal zones (coastal protection and coastal flood defence).

State Law on Environmental Impact Assessment. This act applies to dykes, safety dams and barrages (coastal protection structures).

State ordinance on the establishment of the State Office for Coastal Protection, National Park and Marine Protection

State Development Plan Schleswig-Holstein 2010. Defines the strategy of Schleswig-Holstein regarding integrated coastal zones management, coastal protection and coastal flood defence.

State Nature Conservation Act. This Act aims the protection of sea beaches, coastal dunes and beach ridges.

State Ordinance on the Responsibility of the Water and Coastal Protection Authorities.

State Water Act. § 102 refers to the coastal protection authorities and the Section 6 (Teil 6) applies to coastal and flood protection.

Law on the National Park "Lower Saxony Wadden Sea". The act aims to protect the coastal ecosystems.

Lower Saxony Dyke Act.

Ordinance on competences in the field of dyke law

Ordinance on competences in the field of dyke law

Lower Saxony Water Act. The act covers flood defence (§109, Sechster Abschnitt) and coastal protection (Dritter Abschnitt, Fünfter Abschnitt)

Lower Saxony Implementation Act to the Federal Nature Conservation Act.

Ordinance on competencies in the field of water law. The State Office for Water Management, Coastal and Nature Conservation controls the discharge into coastal waters and ensures the assessment of flood risks.

Lower Saxony State Spatial Planning Program.

Lower Saxony Regional Planning Act. The spatial planning of the coasts uses the principle of integrated coastal zone management which aims, among other, coastal protection.

Ordinance on the State Spatial Planning Program Lower Saxony. Point 1.3 covers the integrated development of the coast, islands and the sea. The principle for integrated coastal zone management is applied regarding the spatial planning in the coastal zone. Several measures aim coastal protection and coastal flood defence.

Lower Saxony Law on Environmental Impact Assessment (NUVPG).

Lower Saxony Act to Promote Climate Protection and
Mitigate the Consequences of Climate Change. § 6 on the Strategy for Adaptation to the Consequences of Climate Change mentions that this strategy must contain a description of the effects of climate change on Lower saxony including the coasts and flood protection.

Ordinance on private flood protection systems.

Law on the Hamburg Wadden Sea National Park. It aims the preservation of the coasts and prohibitions mentioned in §5 don't apply to coastal flood defence works.

Law on Environmental Impact Assessment in Hamburg. The law applies to the following projects: the expansion of flood protection systems or dams that influence the flood runoff if flood protection systems or dams are built or removed or if existing flood protection systems or dams are significantly redesigned (Annex 1: 1.13, 1.13.1, 1.13.2). It also applies to coastal protection structures to combat erosion and marine engineering work that is likely to bring changes in the coast (Annex 1: 1.14)

Sets out the duties of States Parties in identifying potential sites and their role in protecting and preserving them. The Convention stipulates the obligation of States Parties to report regularly to the World Heritage Committee on the state of conservation of their World Heritage properties. Article 11 identifies floods, changes in water level and tidal waves as threats for the World Heritage Sites.

Lays down a comprehensive regime of laws and orders in the world's oceans and seas establishing rules governing all uses of the oceans and their resources. It enshrines the notion that all problems of ocean space are closely interrelated and need to be addressed as a whole. It aims the protection of the marine environment and of coastlines.

"The Espoo (EIA) Convention sets out the obligations of Parties to assess the environmental impact of certain activities at an early stage of planning. It also lays down the general obligation of States to notify and consult each other on all major projects under consideration that are likely to have a significant adverse environmental impact across boundaries".

"The ultimate objective of this Convention and any related legal instruments that the Conference of the Parties may adopt is to achieve, in accordance with the relevant provisions of
the Convention, stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Such a level should be achieved within a time-frame sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to
ensure that food production is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner". This Convention draws a specific attention to countries with low-lying coastal areas and areas liable to floods.