Transcript Slide 1
"Funding for Natura 2000 and the EU Budget" Stefan Leiner, DG ENV European Commission SURF Nature Closing Conference Cardiff, Wales, 27 September 2012 A budget for Europe 2020: The Commission’s proposals for the 2014-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework 29 June Package – COM(2011) 500 http://ec.europa.eu/budget/reform/index_en.htm A budget for Europe 2020 • Smart Growth • • • • Common Strategic Framework for Research and Innovation Increased investment in education and youth Connecting Europe, inc digital infrastructure Support for SMEs • Sustainable Growth • Greener and fairer Common Agricultural Policy • Mainstreaming of environment and climate action objectives • Inclusive growth • Solidarity through cohesion policy • Strong commitment to development goals • Overall amount of Commission proposal for EU 28: • EUR 1033 billion which equals 1.08% of the of expected EU gross national income (GNI) A budget for Europe 2020 – Part II Policy fiches • Environment policy contributes to smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and the transformation of the EU into a knowledge-based resource efficient economy. • Mainstreaming climate and environment in all MFF instruments • • • Cohesion, agriculture, maritime, fisheries, research & innovation and external action Low carbon-climate resilient society - 20% budget Biodiversity and ecosystems (with climate) to be funded under development cooperation to 25% of global public goods programme • Specific mainstreaming of biodiversity throughout the budget – maximise synergies with ecosystem-based climate mitigation and adaptation • Links between Natura Priority Action Frameworks and Member State programmes under the MFF • Specific LIFE instrument and its role to leverage money from other instruments for integrated projects that address Natura implementation or Water Framework Directive implementation Strategy in COM Staff Working Paper on Financing Natura 2000 Better strategic planning for financing Natura 2000 by MS and Commission Improved definition of Natura 2000 management requirements for targeted action Strengthening awareness about socio-economic benefits from Natura 2000 management Consider other forms of funding for Natura 2000, including innovative financing Crucial phase of implementation of Natura 2000 Most SPAs and SCIs in place 6 years to designate SCIs as SACs and establish conservation measures - SAC deadline now increasingly overdue Many Natura 2000 sites in poor condition – need active restoration, target 1 of EU 2020 strategy a challenge Article 8 foresees EU co-financing Investing in Natura 2000 – costs and benefits Costs: In 2010 - overall estimates of financial needs (€5.8 billion/yr); Benefits: Ecosystem services from network of Natura 2000 sites worth between €200 to 300 billion/yr; Natura 2000 stores approx. 9.6 billion tonnes of carbon (equiv. 35 billion tonnes of CO2) valued at between €607 billion and €1,130 billion; Estimated between 1.2 to 2.2 billion visitor days/yr to Natura 2000 recreational benefits of € 5 - € 9 billion per annum. Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund Clearer targeting on Europe 2020 objectives; Particular importance in less developed regions; Opportunities also in more developed regions; Cross-border territorial co-operation between MS; Priorities include protection and restoration of biodiversity, investments in green infrastructures and the Natura 2000 network; Co-benefits for climate change mitigation and adaptation from biodiversity-related investments; Opportunities also under the European Social Fund. Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Greening 1st pillar – 30% mandatory measures; EAFRD under 2nd pillar: • Priorities include biodiversity, Natura 2000 and High Nature Value farming • Member States will have to integrate Natura 2000 areas within their RDPs • Biodiversity financed through agri-environmentclimate, forest-environment, organic farming, non productive investments, basic services in rural area, and the Leader approach • higher intensity of aids for commitments undertaken by groups of farmers to target local biodiversity needs/support Green Infrastructure European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Stronger focus on ecosystem based management of fisheries; Reducing overfishing and overcapacity and reducing direct impacts specific measures aiming at protecting and restoring marine biodiversity and ecosystems • Support management, restoration and monitoring of Natura 2000; Explicit recognition of link to prioritised action frameworks; • other actions to protect and enhance marine biodiversity and ecosystems more generally, e.g. restoration of coastal and marine habitats in support of sustainable fish stocks Promoting involvement of fishermen and other key stakeholders LIFE Regulation LIFE Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (proposed budget of €3.2 billion); "Biodiversity" strand: • development of best practices to halt biodiversity loss and restore ecosystem services; • focus on supporting Natura 2000 sites, especially via integrated projects consistent with Prioritised Action Frameworks; Concrete objectives: to bring 15% of Natura 2000 sites into adequate management, 3% ecosystems restoration and 25% of habitats and species targeted by LIFE projects improved status; To lever other EU and domestic funds through promotion of a more programmatic approach particularly via “integrated projects”. Role of Prioritised Action Frameworks (PAFs) PAFs are planning tools to strengthen integration Strategic focus on the most important priorities Describe Natura 2000 activities to be financed Provide an integrated overview of how to achieve them having regard to funding instruments Aim to assist MS with partnership contracts and OPs for the funds covered by the CSF MS still need to specify their financing needs for Natura 2000 under the relevant plans or programmes. Aim to ensure complementarity and consistency of financing of Natura 2000 under programmes with PAF Typology of measures prepared for the 2007 guide (annex to the format). Document provided to the Hab Com/Nature Directors – initial overview What happens next? • Sectoral proposals (CAP, Cohesion etc.) being negotiated • Role of European Council – November 2012 decision on overall financial envelope • Decide sectoral proposals • New framework and rules in place by January 2014 • Obstacles to heightened profile for biodiversity • Size of the overall budget will influence the content of the sectoral proposals • Member State reluctance/priorities (e.g. greening of the CAP) • Detailed programming at Member State level – importance to ensure consistency with PAFs