​UNEP-WCMC has undertaken an exciting analysis of how and why area-based management approaches can be used to support the delivery of Sustainable Development Goals. Using evidence from 25 case studies, the contributions of different types of approach towards specific Targets are identified. This work has been funded by the European Commission and undertaken in collaboration with UN Environment.

This work is comprised of four parts: a summary for policymakers, a technical report, conceptual guidelines, and a supplementary annex:

Summary for policymakers: Applying marine and coastal area-based management approaches to achieve multiple Sustainable Development Goal targets: A summary of key findings of research investigating the potential for marine and coastal area-based management approaches to deliver Sustainable Development Goals. This document summarises the technical report and the conceptual guidance on how to apply area-based management tools for Sustainable Development Goal delivery.

Technical report and supplementary annex: The contributions of marine and coastal area-based management approaches to Sustainable Development Goals and targets: This report is published as part of the Integrated Management and Governance Strategies for Delivery of Ocean-Related Sustainable Development Goals Project. It has been produced in collaboration with UN Environment, the European Commission, with contributions from independent practitioners of area based management approaches. The document looks at how the use of area-based management approaches can contribute towards the achievement of ocean-related Sustainable Development Goals. The report provides practical evidence from twenty-five case studies of approach application from around the world, and provides guidance points on the use of area-based management approaches to contribute towards the delivery of Sustainable Development Goals and Targets.

Conceptual guidelines for the application of Marine Spatial Planning and Integrated Coastal Zone Management approaches to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal Targets 14.1 and 14.2: This document is part of a series of documents which aims to evaluate the applications of area-based management approaches for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. This work has been funded by the European Commission and produced by the UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre, supported by UN Environment, with contributions from independent practitioners and government experts. This report identifies ways in which practitioners and decision-makers can apply Marine Spatial Planning and Integrated Coastal Zone Management approaches to support the delivery of Sustainable Development Goals 14.1 relating to the reduction of marine pollution and 14.2 relating to sustainable management and protection of marine and coastal ecosystems, using evidence from real world application of approaches.