Financing Natura 2000

Policy framework and new opportunities for 2014-2020

Workshop for Belgium

Brussels, 11 December 2013

Joseph van der Stegen DG Environement - Nature Unit

EU biodiversity strategy to 2020« Our life insurance, our natural capital »

A 2050 VISIONEuropean Union biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides – its natural

capital – are protected, valued and appropriately restored…

A 2020 HEADLINE TARGETHalt the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services in the EU and restore them insofar

as feasible, and step up the EU's contribution to averting global biodiversity loss

New EU Biodiversity Strategy 2011Target 1 - Nature conservation

To halt the deterioration in the status of all species and habitats covered by EU nature legislation and achieve a significant and measurable improvement in their status by 2020

Complete the establishment of the Natura 2000 network and ensure good management

Increase stakeholder awareness and involvement and improve enforcement

Improve and streamline monitoring and reporting Ensure adequate financing of Natura 2000 sites

Introduction 1979: Birds Directive Scope → all species of naturally occurring

birds in the wild in the EU. Overall objective → to maintain wild birds in

good conservation.

1992: Habitats Directive Scope → More than 1000 threatened plants

and animals and approx. 230 habitat types Overall objective → ensure their favourable

conservation status.

Natura 2000 Network

• 26 400 sites• 986 000 km²• 18 % EU land• 4 % EU seas• Globally largest

co-ordinated network of PAs;

• Almost complete on land;

• Marine component – still some gaps.

Financing Natura 2000: integration approach

Article 8 of the Habitats Directive (Prioritized Action Framework – PAF)

2004: Communication on Financing Natura 2000

2007: Handbook 2010: Conference - Financing Natura 2000 2010-11: Public consultation May 2011: Roundtable December 2011: Staff Working Document 2011: COM proposals EU funds 2011-2013: negotiations Multiannual

Financing Framework (MFF) 2014-2020: next MFF

Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 March 2012: Europe 2020 strategy June 2011: COM Proposals for sectoral

funds:• structural and cohesion • rural development• maritime and fisheries • LIFE 2012: Position papers Feb. 2013: Council agreement on EU

budget 2nd half 2013: Partnership agreements End 2013: Adoption regulations (funds) 2013/2014: Operational Programmes 2014-2020: Implementation

Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)

Direct payments - greening 1st pillar

Content of RDPs: "an appropriate approach towards the environment, including the specific needs of Natura 2000 areas"

Structural funds and the Cohesion Fund Natura 2000 and Green Infrastructure to be financed from EU Regional Development Fund and Cohesion Fund

Rationale: eco-services, natural capital, economic development, regional cooperation, legal obligations

Multiple benefits (synergies with climate, SME, R&D, resource efficiency objectives)

Biodiversity and nature have to be integrated in the entire programme cycle

European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF)

Sustainable and resource efficient

fisheries and aquaculture

Biodiversity and ecosystems inlc. N2000

Aquaculture methods compatible with N2000

Recognition of the link with the PAFs and Operational Programs (OPs) required to show "appropriate approach" to environment including Natura 2000

LIFE as a catalyst;

New structure: sub programmes for the Environment and Climate Action;

Budget: €3.6 billion with 75% for ENV and 25% for Climate;

New concept: integrated projects;

More coordination with other funds;

Multiannual work programmes;

National allocations to be phased out;

Co-financing rates: nature and biodiversity 60%, priority habitats and species a 75%.

LIFE Programme for the Environment and Climate Action

PAFs and integrated projects Integrated projects:• Implementation of plans, programmes or

strategies required by EU environmental or climate legislation;

• Larger scale, e.g., regional, multiregional, national;

• Primarily in the areas of nature, water, waste, air, climate mitigation and adaptation;

• They are inclusive: stakeholders must be involved as associated beneficiaries;

• Sustainability will be important as well as mobilisation of other funds (EU or other);

Innovative financing instruments

• Payments for ecosystem services;• Habitat banking;• Pro-biodiversity businesses (biomass,

certified food products);• Low/Zero rate loans;• Tax incentives;• Carbon credits;• User fees;• Sponsorship, charities.

Prioritised Action Frameworks (PAF)

PAFs objectives:• Strategic planning;• Identification of priorities;• Improve awareness about socio-economic

benefits from Natura 2000;• Identify and assess forms of funding for Natura

2000.

Prioritised Action Framework

Flemish Region's PAF dated May 2013 Main objectives:

• Halt and prevent deterioration of the present conservation status• Reach favourable conservation status or improve status by 2020 for

16 habitats• Reach favourable conservation status for all habitats by 2050• Reach favourable conservation status or improve status by 2020 for

protected species• Reach favourable conservation status for all species by 2050.• Regional nature conservation objectives outside Natura 2000• The strategic management plan Natura 2000• Regional priority action on eutrophying and acidiphying depositions• Defining ecological thresholds to mitigate local environmental

pressures

Main measures: see dedicated presentation

Prioritised Action Framework

Walloon Region's PAF dated 31/01/2013 to be completed (D: current experience with use of EU financial

instruments, G: Key measures to achieve priorities)Main priorities and sources of funding identified

6 Main objectives: • Increasing the area of habitats of CI and habitats of species of CI• Improving structures and functions • Recurrent management of habitats and species• Monitoring• Awareness-traising• Co-ordination and Updating the PAF

Main objectives: Special focus on: swampy soils, hay meadows, calcareous meadows, bog areas, Black grouse, 3 species of Annex II buterflies, Pearl Mussel

PAF: follow-up with EC services

DG ENV

PAF: follow-up with MS

Next steps: opportunities andchallenges

Partnership Agreement; Operational Programmes; Consider nature/biodiversity for the

whole programme cycle; Implementation; learn from the

experience; Be smart, look for multiple benefits; Think out of the box – consider

innovative financing instruments.

Additional information

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For more information, please consult:http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/index_en.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/environment

Contact:

Joseph.van-der-stegen@ec.europa.eu (Walloon and Brussels Regions)

Frank.vassen@ec.europa.eu (Flemish Region)