Year

Existing commitments

2004

Pilot the most advanced EcoQO’s in the North Sea and work to develop the remaining EcoQO’s (NSC)
Implement an ecosystem approach to management, guided by a conceptual framework, including the development of a coherent and integrated set of ecological quality objectives (NSC)
Publication of the Government’s ‘UK State of the Seas’ Report.
The Review of Marine Nature Conservation is due to submit its conclusions and recommendations (including the findings of the Irish Sea Project).

2005

Report on implementation of the Birds Directive
EU Marine Strategy to be finalised (6^th EAP)

2006

Report on implementation of the Habitats Directive
Production of an overarching vision for the future of the UK’s coastline (EU ICZM) and a strategy for Scotland’s coasts
15% reduction in current oil inputs from produced water (OSPAR)

2008

Ban on use of TBT in anti-fouling paints comes into force (IMO)

2010

Combat eutrophication to achieve and maintain a healthy marine environment in which eutrophication does not occur (OSPAR)
Encourage the use of renewable energy sources with a view to meeting the indicative target of 12% of total energy use (6^th EAP)
Halt biodiversity decline (6^th EAP)
Designate marine protected areas (MPAs) in a network of well-managed sites safeguarding threatened and declining species, habitats and ecosystems. (NSC)
Commitment to meet 18% of Scottish electricity generation from renewable energy sources. (SE)
20% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions below 1990 levels (UK Climate Change Programme)
Meet individual ceilings for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and ammonia (Gothenburg Protocol)
Meet water quality targets (WFD)

2015

Protect, enhance and restore all bodies of surface water to achieve good ecological and chemical status and all heavily modified water bodies to achieve good ecological potential and good chemical status. (WFD)
Restore depleted fish stocks to maximum sustainable yields where possible (WSSD)
Ban on single hulled tankers comes into force (IMO)

2020

Continuously reduce discharges, emissions and losses of hazardous substances to near background values for natural substances and close to zero for man-made synthetics. (OSPAR)
Progressively and substantially reduce discharges, emissions and losses of radioactive substances caused by human activities so that concentrations in the marine environment are near background values for naturally occurring substances and close to zero for artificial substances. (OSPAR)
Commitment to meet 40% of Scottish electricity generation from renewable energy sources. (SE)