Proposed CIS Workshop on WFD Economic Issues Strategic Coordination Group Meeting, 4-5 November 2009 DG Environment, European Commission water.europa.eu

Outline Background Initial thoughts on possible aims and scope, inputs, outcomes Timing Issues raised Next steps Request to SCG

Background Water Directors (June 2008) agreed that a workshop on WFD economics should be held SCG (March and May 2009) agreed that a workshop should be held to: Discuss the results of the in-depth assessments of Art.5 economic work Clarify whether further work on WFD economics was needed in CIS work programme Emphasis on need for well-prepared workshop

Possible aims and scope Forward-looking discussion outcomes of the in-depth assessment of Art.5 economics work Identify future needs for CIS work on WFD economics Provide a forum for MS to share information, exchange views Take stock of recent work in related areas such as research (e.g. Aquamoney project), methodologies, approaches (e.g. ecosystem services) etc Disproportionate cost assessment to be covered in other CIS activity

Inputs Results of in-depth assessment on Art.5 economics work (refer SCG March 2009) Planned questionnaire to gather views on implementing the economic aspects of WFD - views sought on (i) implementation experience (ii) WATECO guidance and other relevant CIS documents and (iii) future needs Commission study on Article 9 (refer SCG March 2009)

Possible outcomes and timing Clarification of need for CIS work Exchange information, views on common challenges, possible methodologies, data generation etc Proposed output: ‘Summary & Conclusions’ document. Proposed timing: mid-2010

Issues raised Whether the issue of disproportionate cost assessment should be included in the workshop Whether WATECO and other CIS guidance on WFD economics should be evaluated and discussed at the workshop Role of workshop in judging ‘good practice’ on WFD economics prior to the outcomes of the RBMP compliance checking Generally agreed that the workshop should represent a further step in the learning process for WFD economics.

Next steps SCG comments received Small group of CIS participants to be established to refine the workshop scope and to be involved in the preparations (in particular the planned questionnaire) Finalised proposal for the workshop to be agreed by Water Directors

Request to SCG Provide comments on the scoping paper – particularly on priority topics to be covered To take note of planned COM work on gathering views on experience in implementing WFD economics Nominate representatives to be involved in a small group to refine the scope of the workshop Willingness to host?