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"Financing Natura 2000 & Biodiversity" Status and Perspective (in context of next EU multiannual financial framework) Micheal O'Briain, DG ENV European Commission Nature Directors Meeting Denmark, 22 May 2012 Outline Financing Biodiversity in the next MFF: main principles Opportunities for biodiversity and Natura 2000 financing in the main EU instruments Specific issues related to financing Natura 2000 Financing biodiversity and Natura 2000: state of play and perspectives Key questions Biodiversity and the 2014-2020 MFF Main principles for biodiversity financing outlined in ‘A budget for Europe 2020’ in June 2011, reflecting the main objectives of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020: Mainstream biodiversity throughout the EU budget Maximise synergies with climate finance External action programmes: Implementation: clearly established benchmarks, monitoring and reporting rules; tracking procedure for biodiversity-related expenses Strategy for financing Natura 2000 “At EU level, a strengthened integrated approach using the various EU sectoral funds, ensuring their consistency with the priorities of Natura 2000 action frameworks, together with an enhanced LIFE Biodiversity strand, will provide a strong basis for the new Natura 2000 financing strategy“ 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 agrienvironment-climate, 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 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”. 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 socioeconomic benefits from Natura 2000 management Consider other forms of funding for Natura 2000, including innovative financing State 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 Article 8 foresees EU co-financing 100% unknown Deadline passed 75% Deadline not passed SAC designated 50% 25% 0% DK LU SE UK DE NL GR ES IT PT FR FI IE AT BE SK HU 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 Format for PAFs A. Introductory overview of Natura 2000 network for territory B. Status of the habitats and species C. Legal and administrative provisions for protection and management of Natura 2000 D. Current experience with use of EU financial instruments E. Current estimate of financial needs for management of Natura 2000 for territory F. Strategic conservation priorities for Natura 2000 for 20142020 G. Description of key measures to achieve priorities H. Monitoring, evaluation and updating Typology of measures prepared for the 2007 guide (annex to the format). Document provided to the Hab Com/Nature Directors – initial overview 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. Key contribution to meeting other EU environmental objectives and targets set by the Water Framework Directive and the Marine Strategy Framework Directives; Synergies and co-benefits with climate change adaptation through working with nature Natura 2000 is the core element of the future green infrastructure. PAFs and LIFE Integrated Projects (IPs) • PAFs valuable tool for future LIFE IPs • Concept of IP originally developed for NAT2000 as a natural complement to PAFs • LIFE strategic support to PAFs development and kick off their implementation • possibility to finance regional/national programmes (PAFs) already under last call -10 proposals/ BE, ES, FI, IT, LA, SL, UK • LIFE IP key tool to help deliver PAFs and test approaches to strengthen integration State of play and perspectives Council and European Parliament debating COM proposals; SWD (2012) 61 final: Elements of the Common Strategic Framework adopted in March – Biodiversity, Natura 2000 and PAFs recognised Final Common Strategic Framework and Partnership Contracts – need to ensure recognition of Biodiversity, Natura 2000 financing and PAFs MS to specify their financing needs for Biodiversity and Natura 2000 under relevant programmes Better tracking of expenditure PAFs as foundation for integrated projects DG ENV studies on benefits of Natura 2000: CIRCABC "Financing Natura” New contract: Improving uptake of funds for Natura 2000 Key questions for discussion How will MS contribute to ensure that biodiversity and Natura 2000 financing opportunities presented in COM proposals are retained in Council negotiations? Having full regard to Europe 2020 agenda, how can MS contribute to ensure that the benefits of investing in biodiversity and Natura 2000 are fully optimised? How will MS ensure complementarity and consistency between PAFs and relevant programmes ? How can Member States use PAFs as foundation for LIFE integrated projects for management of Natura 2000 covering areas of their territory?