The European Green Deal (EGD) proposes a transformative agenda that depends on the coherent design and implementation of environmental policies, including those related to the marine environment. Science-Policy-Society Interfaces (SPSIs) are central to this process, but show uneven performance and sometimes fragmented operation. This paper uses a methodology from the Horizon Europe CrossGov project to assess SPSIs in various policy and governance contexts, focusing on their role in promoting coherence in EU marine policies (Marine Strategy Framework Directive - MSFD, Water Framework Directive - WFD, Maritime Spatial Planning Directive - MSPD) and in delivering EGD objectives. The analysis finds SPSIs are often institutionalised and effective in supporting evidence-based policy-making, yet challenges persist: data integration gaps, inconsistent knowledge transfer, limited societal involvement, and strong sectoral compartmentalisation. Nevertheless, SPSIs show strong potential to support evidence uptake and adaptive governance, especially with collaborative, participatory approaches. Based on these findings, the paper presents recommended actions: cross-cutting measures to strengthen governance models, competence frameworks, and long-term funding, as well as targeted actions for WFD, MSFD, and MSPD. Together, these recommendations can enhance SPSIs' role in evidence-informed policy-making, improve policy coherence, and foster adaptive, legitimate ocean governance, supporting the ambitions of the European Green Deal.
Assessing the role and functioning of Science-Policy-Society Interfaces in EU Green Deal-related marine policies
Soffietti, Folco;
2026-01-01
Abstract
The European Green Deal (EGD) proposes a transformative agenda that depends on the coherent design and implementation of environmental policies, including those related to the marine environment. Science-Policy-Society Interfaces (SPSIs) are central to this process, but show uneven performance and sometimes fragmented operation. This paper uses a methodology from the Horizon Europe CrossGov project to assess SPSIs in various policy and governance contexts, focusing on their role in promoting coherence in EU marine policies (Marine Strategy Framework Directive - MSFD, Water Framework Directive - WFD, Maritime Spatial Planning Directive - MSPD) and in delivering EGD objectives. The analysis finds SPSIs are often institutionalised and effective in supporting evidence-based policy-making, yet challenges persist: data integration gaps, inconsistent knowledge transfer, limited societal involvement, and strong sectoral compartmentalisation. Nevertheless, SPSIs show strong potential to support evidence uptake and adaptive governance, especially with collaborative, participatory approaches. Based on these findings, the paper presents recommended actions: cross-cutting measures to strengthen governance models, competence frameworks, and long-term funding, as well as targeted actions for WFD, MSFD, and MSPD. Together, these recommendations can enhance SPSIs' role in evidence-informed policy-making, improve policy coherence, and foster adaptive, legitimate ocean governance, supporting the ambitions of the European Green Deal.
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