Within the CONMAR project, a new article has been published examining German policy on sea-dumped munitions between 2000 and 2021. For nearly 80 years, munitions in the sea were cleared primarily on a case-by-case basis, such as in specific hazard situations or local projects, with no systematic clearance strategy. Limited funds, unclear responsibilities, gaps in scientific information, and a lack of technical capacities meant the issue was rarely addressed politically for a long time.
The shift began when a new coalition of environmental actors, authorities, industry, and science formed. These groups initiated scientific work that provided new insights into risks and available technologies. At the same time, they implemented a communication strategy highlighting that dumped munitions pose risks to humans and the environment that needed to be addressed and could be managed through existing technical expertise and clearance capabilities. This gradually led policy towards systematic clearing of munitions dump sites.
These findings offer starting points for how clearance measures in Germany can be implemented sustainably and with broad social acceptance in the long term, and how similar processes can be initiated and supported in other countries with sea-dumped munitions.
Pechmann, A., & Hinkel, J. (2026). Self-interest within the Advocacy Coalition Framework: how material beliefs affect change in German munitions policy. Policy & Politics (published online ahead of print 2026). Retrieved Mar 31, 2026, from https://doi.org/10.1332/03055736Y2026D000000086
