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Cumulative Effects Assessments to support marine plan development 2024

Abstract

This report presents an assessment of Cumulative Effects Assessment (CEA) methodologies and approaches as a means of supporting marine planning in the UK. The implementation of meaningful CEA (or Cumulative Impact Assessment) remains challenging due to a range of conceptual and scientific uncertainties, and evolving policy topics. The key to progress is to adopt a consistent, coherent, and scientifically robust approach to CEA, but one which can continue to be refined as data and analytical methods improve.

This study investigates the suitability of existing CEA methods relative to the requirement to adopt a standardised approach to CEA in support of marine plan development. The most positive finding was identifying CEA methods that provide meaningful outputs where there is sufficiently robust data and information underpinning the assessment. Secondly, there are robust risk assessment approaches that can provide greater confidence in impact assessments where there are shortfalls in data. The study stops short of recommending a single, preferred CEA methodology, due to the need to better define the requirement driving each CEA to ensure the most appropriate method is applied.

The report concludes with a set of recommendations for carrying out CEAs at a marine plan-level, as well as highlighting potential work to be done in this area for the future. To bring the aim of the project to fruition, a key recommendation is that a common plan-level CEA framework is adopted, for which a ‘toolbox’ of methods can be identified and periodically updated, with methods selected according to the context and needs of a specific CEA.

The report is accompanied by Annex 1, an Excel workbook providing a list and details of reviewed Cumulative Effects Assessments.

These resources may not be fully accessible for all users. If you need copies in a different or more accessible format, please contact Communications@jncc.gov.uk.

Resource type Publication

Topic category Environment

Reference date 2024·07·01

Citation
Willsteed, E.A., Collin, S. & Koehler, L. 2024. Cumulative effects assessments to support marine plan development. JNCC Report 768 (Project Report), JNCC, Peterborough, ISSN 0963-8091.

Lineage
This report presents the findings of the literature review and the assessment of CEAs and includes recommendations for progressing the adoption of a consistent and coherent approach to assessing cumulative effects to support marine planning in UK waters.

Responsible organisation
Communications, JNCC publisher

Limitations on public access No limitations

Use constraints Available under the Open Government Licence 3.0

Metadata date 2024·07·24

Metadata point of contact
Communications, JNCC

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