‘Regional Policy contributing to Sustainable Growth in Europe 2020’

1. ‘Regional Policy contributing to Sustainable Growth in Europe 2020’ COCOF technical seminar Brussels 23 March 2011 Mikel LANDABASO European Commission Directorate-General for Regional Policy

2. Why now? • Integrate major EU policy initiatives (e.g. Climate & Energy package, Energy performance of Buildings Directive…) • Contribute to ‘Europe 2020’ & its pillar on Sustainable Growth (SG) • Build on conclusions of the ‘Strategic report 2010’ of Regional Policy (RP) • Respond to the economic crisis by turning it into SG opportunities

3. Objectives • Align RP with ‘Europe 2020’, particularly the “Resource Efficiency flagship” • Enhance impact of 2007-2013 RP on the SG of regions • Help regions to prepare post-2013 policy priorities

4. Enhancing RP delivery of SG in EU regions Invest more Invest better Low-Carbon Economy Ecosystem services Eco-innovation Mainstream SD principles in project cycle Climate resilience & resource efficiency Better Governance

5. 1. Invest More

6. 1.1 Low-carbon economy • Further investments in energy efficiency (building sector) & renewables; • Use new possibilities for innovative financial instruments (like JESSICA instrument) • Decarbonisation of transport: invest in clean urban transport t

7. 1.1 Low-carbon economy Synergy with ‘The Covenant of Mayors’: example of the Province of Barcelona • Sustainable energy plan in 105 municipalities for 4.5 million people (energy efficiency in public building, solar roofs, heating and cooling) • Assistance and coordination to prepare action plans, technical and financial support • Synergy between EU initiatives (20/20/20 energy package, EUROPE 2020, good governance) • http://www.eumayors.eu/home_en.htm

8. 1.2 Ecosystem services & biodiversity • Invest in protection of ecosystems & biodiversity as source of economic development • Use RP funding for investments in natural risk prevention • Invest in “Green infrastructure” Flood management along the Tisza river in Hungary Creation of six flood reservoirs and relocation of dikes Cross-sectoral approach, win-win investment on ecosystem services (storage for water irrigation, new wetlands, leisure areas) ERDF € 290 million

9. 1.3 Eco-innovations • Develop eco-innovations across sectors: supports resource efficiency, competitiveness and job creation • Support clusters on eco-innovation, particularly through PPPs • Invest in ICT for the green economy through RP funding Eco-innovation support through clusters, Lower Austria Foster eco-innovations in all clusters Close cooperation between the Lower Austrian companies, R&D related institutions and public authorities Combination of ecological challenges and business opportunities

10. 2. Invest Better

11. Proposals to reinforce SG in 2007-13 Enhancing RP delivery of SG in EU regions Invest more Invest better Low-Carbon Economy Ecosystem services Eco-innovation Mainstream SD principles in project cycle Climate resilience & resource efficiency Better Governance

12. 2.1 Mainstreaming SD principles in project cycle • SD to be integral part of each step of project life cycle (design to delivery and monitoring) • Making more use of green public procurement (GPP) at regional/local level • Establishing proper indicators for monitoring and evaluation Checklist for environmental impact assessment of project proposals, Finland Cross-regional EIA panels to assess whether project proposals are environmentally neutral, beneficial or harmful with standardised checklists

13. 2.2 Climate resilience & resource efficiency • Checking project investments against climate resilience and resource efficiency • Developing regional strategies on adaptation to climate change The “Enworks” programme, North-West England Environmental advice, training and support to SMEs to improve resource efficiency and reduce waste Good practice exchange and development of synergies Over 3600 businesses benefited; 190.000 tonnes of CO2 saved; 3.000.000m2 of water saved; over 700 people developed specific skills

14. 2.3 Better governance • Improving governance with enhanced cross-cutting/horizontal approaches to SG • Broadening partnerships and reinforce strategic content of Monitoring Committee of programmes • Encourage more PPPs and innovative approaches to financing Networking of national/regional environmental authorities’ MS (IT, SP, DE, PL, GR…) have set up networks of national & regional authorities in charge of environment & Cohesion Policy (Managing Authorities) for improved governance Civil society & socio-economic partners take part

15. MEMBER STATES Align RP Programmes with ‘Europe 2020’ Focus expenditure towards SG Address structural weaknesses by further mainstreaming SD principles in all operations and using technical assistance COMMISSION Promote new financial instruments to leverage resources (EIB and other IFI) Deploy action through pilot projects, seminars and exchange of know-how Facilitate mobilisation of technical assistance Conclusions Actions

16. Sustainable growth and Regional Policy: two sides of the same coin • It’s time to engage in a new approach to regional development… • … to strengthen the EU response to the sustainability challenges • Regional Policy has a key role in meeting EU 2020 targets… • … and is mobilising funds today for a sustainable tomorrow!

17. Many thanks for your attention