Assessing the progress in depolluting the Mediterranean Sea

• The first Horizon 2020 Initiative review mechanism was set up in the ENP-South region.
• Assessment based on a set of coherent indicators developed together with the partner countries.
• Regular production of reliable data and reporting needs to be improved.
• Reliable environmental information systems are essential to support informed decision-making.
• Assessment identified the issues that deserve more attention in the next phase of H2020.

The depollution of the Mediterranean Sea by 2020 is the overarching goal of Horizon 2020 Initiative (H2020). The first phase (2007–2013) tackled the main land-based pollution sources; municipal waste, urban wastewater and industrial emissions. As part of the H2020 roadmap implementation, the ENPI-SEIS project focused on the first H2020 review mechanism that included a) establishing a process for regular environmental reporting in the European Neighbourhood Policy South countries, and b) generating the knowledge necessary to assess the progress in depolluting the Mediterranean Sea. This paper reviews the process in line with the “Shared Environmental Information System” principles and its three pillars (content, cooperation, infrastructure). The main outcomes of the thematic assessment, based on a set of regional H2020 indicators, are also presented. This assessment highlights the major drivers and their implications on marine protection. It also identifies areas that require further attention in the next phase of H2020 (2014–2020).