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Sustainable Development Strategy and the Cohesion Policy Panel discussion 3: GROWs contribution to the Gothenburg Agenda through influencing environmental behaviour and policies Brussels, 18.10.07. Jonathan Parker Unit for “Cohesion Policy and Environmental Impact Assessments”
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Sustainable Development Strategy and the Cohesion PolicyPanel discussion 3: GROWs contribution to the Gothenburg Agenda through influencing environmental behaviour and policiesBrussels, 18.10.07 Jonathan Parker Unit for “Cohesion Policy and Environmental Impact Assessments” European Commission – DG ENV
New context Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS) and Lisbon
Renewed Lisbon Strategy • First agreed at European Council in Lisbon in June 2000 • Relaunched at Spring 2005 European Council • Three components – economic, social & environmental • Focus on growth and jobs • Guideline 11 of the Lisbon Integrated Guidelines relates to environment – envt. picked up in 18 of 25 National Reform Programmes • Cohesion Policy is “mobilised” to achieve goals of Lisbon Strategy
SDS June 2006 Key challenges (overall objectives, targets & actions) – 7 of them • Climate change and clean energy • Sustainable transport • Sustainable production and consumption (added 2006) • Conservation and management of natural resources • Public health • Social inclusion, demography and migration • Global poverty and sustainable development challenges
Lisbon versus SDS • Strategies complement each other in aiming for structural change to adapt to new reality • SDS concerned with quality of life, intra- and intergenerational equity, policy coherence, external aspects • Lisbon essential contribution to SD as motor of a more dynamic economy • Move together so that economic, social and environment can reinforce each other • Timing: Lisbon more short-term; SDS longer term • Common elements – climate change and energy But SDS avoids mentioning trade-offs
Environmental financing 2007-13 Through EU financial mechanisms • Structural Funds (European Regional Dev. Fund, European Social Fund) • Cohesion Fund • European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) • European Fisheries Fund (EFF) • Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA) • European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) • Framework RTD programme • Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) • Life+ instrument (only “pure environmental financing”) • Trans-European Networks (Energy, Transport) • Solidarity Fund • European Investment Bank, European Investment Fund Through non-EU financial mechanisms • Norwegian/EEA/future Swiss financing mechanisms • European Bank for Reconstruction & Development • Other banks (World Bank, Council of Europe Development Bank) Red = decentralised approach; Green = calls for proposals;Black = Commission control;Purple = loans
Co-ordinating environmental financingSustainable Development Strategy (SDS) point 25 • “In order to ensure that EU funding is channelled and used in an optimum way to promote sustainable development, Member States and the Commission should co-ordinate to enhance complementarities and synergies between various strands of Community and other co-financing mechanisms, such as cohesion policy, rural development, LIFE+, research and development (RTD), the Competitiveness and Innovation Program (CIP), and the European Fisheries Fund (EFF)” • Adopted by the European Council, 15-16.06.06
NetworkingExisting environmental networks relevant for Cohesion Policy • European Network of Environmental Authorities (ENEA) • European Platform of Regional Offices (EPRO) • Environment Conference of the Regions of Europe (ENCORE) • Interreg IIIC Greening of Regional Development Programmes (GRDP) • Implementation of Environmental Legislation (IMPEL) • European Sustainable Development Network (ESDN) • European Sustainable Cities and Towns Campaign • Lisbon Regions Network • National Cohesion/Environment networks • Future networks under Regions for Economic Change
On-going Commission activities • First Annual Stocktaking on updated SDS – policy coherence, unsustainable trends, governance • 4th Cohesion Report – web consultation until 31.01.08 • 4th European Cohesion Forum, 27-28.09.07 – low carbon one of three top global challenges regularly mentioned in speeches (along with migration and energy)
European Territorial Cooperation – Interregional Cooperation
European Territorial co-operationInterregional • A programme focusing on Lisbon & SDS priorities (INTERREG IV C) • A network programme for the exchange of experiences on urban development (URBACT II) • A programme for identification, transfer & dissemination of best practice in management of co-operation programmes (INTERACT II) • A programme for studies & data collection, observation & analysis of development trends (ESPON II)
European Territorial CooperationRegions for Economic Change –Fast-track Initiative Communication adopted by Commission 8.11.06 • Using Inter-regional Co-operation and Urban development to: i) finance networks on around 30 Lisbon themes; ii) fast-track to test innovative ideas • INTERREG IVC and URBACT II
European Territorial CooperationRegions for Economic Change –Fast-track Initiative • Environmental themes = air; low carbon; water supply and treatment; coastal zones; sustainable urban development; reusing brownfields and landfills; recycling society; preventing floods; global monitoring of environment and security (GMES) • Environmental relevant themes = urban transport; energy-efficient housing; sea
Conclusions • Under Cohesion Policy, most environmental priorities can be co-financed. European Territorial Cooperation is a particular useful vehicle. • Choice lies with the MSs in light of Lisbon and the SDS • Good and timely preparation needed • Capacity-building at central and regional/local levels to maximise ensure environmental integration
Relevant websites: http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/index_en.htm http://europa.eu.int/comm/regional_policy/interreg3/index.htm http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/conferences/4thcohesionforum/consultation_en.cfm?nmenu=4 http://ec.europa.eu/environment/funding/intro_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/cohesion_policy_en.htm
Thank you for your attention jonathan.parker@ec.europa.eu