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LIFE and the implementation of the Water Framework Directive

LIFE and the implementation of the Water Framework Directive. Michael Oliver (European Commission, DG Environment, Unit D1 – Water and Environmental Programmes). Objective. Link the work of the WFD CIS Pilot River Basins to the LIFE financial instrument –

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LIFE and the implementation of the Water Framework Directive

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  1. LIFE and the implementation of the Water Framework Directive Michael Oliver (European Commission, DG Environment, Unit D1 – Water and Environmental Programmes)

  2. Objective Link the work of the WFD CIS Pilot River Basins to the LIFE financial instrument – Innovative project outputs at the right time, directly relevant for policy development, robust outputs useful for practitioners.

  3. LIFE – Timing • Calls for projects are issued in summer (June). • Proposals must arrive in autumn (November). • Evaluation and decision likely to take a year. • Applications in summer 2004, projects starting end of 2005, probably last 3yrs. • So probably WFD Management Plans, Programme of Measures (both 2009) or Water Pricing (2010).

  4. Summary • What is LIFE? • Who can apply? • Why this presentation now? • Current Project examples • CIS proposals • Inviting feedback • Contact details

  5. LIFE – the financial instrument for the environment • Financial instrument supporting the EU’s environmental policy and legislation • Co-finances projects in three areas: • LIFE-Nature aimed at conservation ofnatural habitats and wild fauna and flora • LIFE-Environment enables demonstration and development of innovative methods for environmental protection • LIFE-Third Countries concerns technical assistance activities for promoting sustainable development in third countries

  6. LIFE – the financial instrument for the environment • All legal entities (individuals, companies including consultancies, local authorities, NGOs, etc.) of EU member states, some accession countries and countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea and Baltic Sea can apply. • Need evidence that you can manage finance – we look at balance sheets and profit and loss. • Current total budget (2000-2004) 640 million €. • For EU projects can be supported with up to 50% of their eligible costs.

  7. LIFE – the financial instrument for the environment • Current total budget (2000-2004) 640 million €. • LIFE III extension € 317.2 million (including € 17.2 million for monitoring and auditing of projects after 2006) • For EU projects can be supported with up to 50% of their eligible costs. • After 2006 – a different financial instrument?

  8. LIFE and the Water Framework Directive (WFD) • Approx. 38% of LIFE projects address water management issues • 43% of these include management of river basins Since 1992, LIFE has supported about 3000 projects – theoretically 500 projects.

  9. Project example: Bothnian Bay (Finland/Sweden) • Objectives: • Assess state of the Bayand factors affecting it • Improve information exchange • Develop guidelines for integratedmanagement and monitoring • Anticipated outcomes: • Support European strategy forIntegrated Coastal Zone Management • Provide tools + examples for implementation of the WFD: monitoring, database, quality model, information exchange, cross-border cooperation, awareness raising

  10. Project example: Karjaanjoki catchment (Finland) • Objectives: • Restore good ecological status or potential • Involve agriculture, forestry + land-use planning in evaluation ofimpacts and remedies • Anticipated outcomes: • Balance nutrient status of lakes inc. bio-manipulation • Demonstrate ‘hydrology-friendly’ forestry techniques • Monitoring of watercourses re-organised to correspond with requirements of WFD

  11. Objectives: Establish methods to appraise economic,social and environmental effects of flood-plain wetland management Determine effects of policy on use offloodplain wetlands Gain stakeholder participation Outcomes: Dissemination of guidelines and results across Europe tofacilitate implementation of WFD especially in the context of floodplain restoration Assessment of strengths + weaknesses of European and national policies; recommendations produced Project example: Wise use of Floodplains(UK/IRL/F)

  12. Potential CIS LIFE projects • Develop new guidelines or tools for an aspect of CIS • Demonstrate methods following new guidelines – if no-one has done this before • Evaluates their success or otherwise at a demonstration scale • Identifies limitations and improvements • Feeds back directly to policy makers via proposed changes to guidelines

  13. And finally… • Help us improve our service to you: Feedback welcome! Thank you

  14. Contact details • Email: Michael.Oliver@cec.eu.int • Website for LIFE: http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/life/home.htm

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