Terms of Reference

Maritime Institute (MI) and Agency for Maritime and Coastal Services – Coastal division (MDK)

1. Vision

1.1 Vision of the Couplet

The relationship between the MI and MDK is established since 2001 in the form of consultancy and legal support for policy initiatives. The idea behind this Couplet is that “together we know more than alone”. MDK is a local government competent for Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), coastal defence, basic infrastructure in marina’s and hydrographical services. The MI is the maritime research division of the department International law at the Ghent University providing advice and different types of research for ICZM, Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), legal aspects of adaptation strategies for coastal zones, coastal zone legislation, International and European Environmental and Biodiversity Law etc.. A good collaboration between MDK and MI means that theory and practice can be linked, leading to mutual support around some dedicated topics (mainly law and policy regarding the sea).

1.2 Objectives

To build scientific knowledge on adaptation to climate change of coastal areas, in particular coastal defence.

Provide public, free and quick access to coastal legislation for governmental administrations and the public at large.

1.3 Deliverables

The MI will deliver scientific knowledge on environmental law related to climate change, coastal areas and especially coastal defence in which MDK has not the quality of expertise.

MDK will deliver access to information and future policy thinking.

2. Methodology and Implementation Approach

2.1 Implementation Plan

The implementation plan of IMCORE deliverables follows the general schedule of work package activities provided under the initial project proposal, allowing for alterations to the plan where conflicts or other constraints exist.

2.2 Communication

The project supervisors and researchers from the MI (Frank Maes, Cliquet An, Marian Willekens and Lin Van Poucke) and MDK (Miguel Berteloot and Tina Mertens) meet 5-6 times a year to discuss legal issues related to coastal defence and climate change adaptation. Research updates, questions and additional information is send through email weekly.

2.3 Milestones and Dependencies

Important milestones are the different IMCORE workshops which are organized together (related to identifying drivers and issues (WP 2.3) and setting-up scenarios (WP 3.3)), and which contribute to raising awareness of the risks associated with a changing climate and generate support for courses of action chosen in response.