Integration of biodiversity into EU Funding

Transcription

1 Integration of biodiversity into EU Funding Brussels 05 June 2013 Peter Torkler, WWF Presentation based on: /ENEA%20BiodivFINAL% pdf Working Group On Biodiversity in Operational Programmes

2 Content Investing in biodiversity, why it pays off and costs Main sources and examples for successful funding for biodiversity Improving funding post 2013 Opportunities arising from the Common Provisions Regulation and Partnership Agreement Specific provisions of the ERDF The role of prioritized action frameworks Opportunities Conclusions

3 Mandate Purpose: to help interpret Cohesion Policy regulations help the development of Partnership Agreements and OPs to best feature Biodiversity Position Paper: (March 2013) Framework paper presenting an overview of main policy tools, legislative acts and CSF funding sources Identifying possibilities and provide recommendations on how to integrate biodiversity and Natura 2000 in OPs and PAs Provide examples of eligible actions Target audience: MA & EA representatives involved in programming Focus: Cohesion Policy and beyond (!) ~ ESI funds

4 Investing in biodiversity, why it pays off Food, water, soil, clean air is the fundament of our wellbeing Benefits arising from Natura 2000 in Europe can reach bn annually Natura covers significant areas in many regions A single protected area can create 3-5 jobs

5 Costs Implementing Natura 2000 in Europe costs are estimated at 5.8 bn yearly 2-3% of the EU budget are needed to cover the needs! Europes Biodiversity Strategy backed by European Parliament ask to ensure the adequate financing of the Natura 2000 sites

6 Main EU funding sources and their gaps ERDF growth and jobs, infrastructure and business support is main focus, investment in and the value of ecosystems and natural capital is not well considered EAFRD very restricted beneficiaries and land types, Natura payments very low, Measures often not conservation targeted LIFE low budget, high co-financing EMFF very low budget, spending not environmentally oriented => Only 10-20% of Natura 2000 are covered

7 Green Infrastructure Ecological restoration of Comana Wetland, Giurgiu, Romania Ecological restoration of habitats and the reinforcement of species population; monitoring, Infrastructure for Natura 2000 sites protection, promotion; 1.8 Mio, OP Environment, convergence Strong funding, political support, engagement of a wide range of stakeholders

8 Natura 2000 Management Management of the Natura 2000 site Mondsee and Attersee, Upper Austria Establish a N2K site management - Support the nature conservation department Engage local inhabitants, , OP competitiveness A vision how to link N2K with local development Strong actors that can mobilise local communities Good communication to gain support

9 Improving funding post 2013 /mainstreaming Opportunities arising from the Common Provisions Regulation A more coordinated approach to 5 relevant EU funds: ESF, ERDF, CF, EAFRD and EMFF A clear thematic objective on environment and resource efficiency A demand for integration of environment across all sectors (Art. 8 CPR) and clear references to consider environment in all programmes (Art 87.3.i) = Partnership Agreements can offer a chance to increase biodiversity funding by planning all sources in a complementary and coordinated way

10 Opportunities & reality: ESI funds in PAs and OPs Opportunities (direct, indirect) (EU-level) ERDF & CF: management infrastructure, ecosystems, climate adaptation ESF: institutional capacity EAFRD: agri-environment, Natura 2000 payments, management plans EMFF: extensive fisheries, restoration of marine biodiversity (+ LIFE: integrated projects ) Reality (Member States level) Partnership Agreements (PA) and Operational Programmes (OP)? Look for more in the position paper!

11 Improving funding post 2013 / Partnership Agreements A strong requirement to apply and document involvement of environmental partners Opportunity to refer to the national biodiversity needs and the role of different funds to address them Ensure intervention logic covers all funds to deliver to thematic objective 6 or link up with Green Infrastructure, urban environment, climate and biodiversity Include PAF as the strategic element to coordinate biodiversity funding across all the funds in PA

12 Improving funding post 2013/ ERDF direct and indirect opportunities Specific provisions of the ERDF regulation An investment priority on biodiversity Strong climate focus and opportunities for synergies with biodiversity (e.g. peatland) Possible synergies with climate adaptation, ecosystem based risk management, ICT application; urban integration for biodiversity management, green businesses = How to secure that the investment priority on biodiversity is part of regional or sectoral programmes? = How to make sure biodiversity related investments are well integrated in other tehmatic objectives?

13 Improving funding post 2013 / PAF The role of Prioritized Action Frameworks Allows for a strategic planning of investment needs Is crucial to define the contribution from all different funding sources Helps to integrate nature activities in the funds specific programmes = Verification of consistency between Operational Programmes and PAF can help to ensure better Natura financing, but 19 MS prepared PAF; difficulties to show clear funding needs or specify funds that should provide funding for priorities

14 Improving funding post 2013 / PAF The role of Prioritized Action Frameworks Allows for a strategic planning of investment needs Is crucial to define the contribution from all different funding sources Helps to integrate nature activities in the funds specific programmes = Verification of consistency between Operational Programmes and PAF can help to ensure better Natura financing, but 19 MS prepared PAF; difficulties to show clear funding needs or specify funds that should provide funding for priorities

15 Opportunities and reality: ESI funds in PAs and OPs Look for hooks EC position paper, EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy etc. Integrate: Don t concentrate on just one fund! Make best use of your national PAF

16 Conclusions and next steps Working group feedback useful and used: Checklist for programming discussions Background document for PAFs Easy information to inform stakeholders Input to EC related work (e.g. Smart Guide) Timing partly too late Relevance varies extremely between less and more developed countries Future: scope and commitment to continue with new mebmers!

17 Thank you very much! Need more orientation to turn the legal opportunities into Operational Programmes that ensure financing for biodiversity? => Read: