Restoration in the context of the EU Biodiversity Strategy CGBN September 25/26, 2014 Patrick Murphy, Unit ENV/B/2-European Commission.

Target 2 of the EU biodiversity Strategy By 2020, ecosystems and their services are maintained and enhanced by establishing green infrastructure and restoring at least 15% of degraded ecosystems

Actions related to Target 2 #5 Improve knowledge of ecosystems and their services-MAES-2014 #6a- Framework for setting priorities for Restoration- 2014 #6b- Green Infrastructure Strategy-by 2012 #7a- Biodiversity Proofing -2014 # 7b-No Net Loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services-initiative by 2015.

Action 6a of the Biodiversity Strategy By 2014, Member States, with the assistance of the Commission, will develop a strategic framework to set priorities for ecosystem restoration at sub-national, national and EU level.

Some Terminology issues related to Target 2 Meanings of degraded and restored? Restoration objectives in relation to ecosystem types, land-use and location? What is the extent of degraded ecosystems in the EU? What is the baseline?

Restoration is a process and not necessarily a final destination. For any ecosystem type, several states or ecological conditions can be described along a continuum from poor to excellent. Any significant improvement that moves an area to a better state/condition should be regarded as a contribution to the 15% restoration target.

Process of restoration needs to be defined in a better way (see conceptual model Hobbs & Harris for understanding ecosystem states and transitions)  work with restoration levels! ‘Restoration’

What information do we have to support this approach? The 12 MAES project-ecosystem typologies, the CICES ecosystem services classification, ecosystem condition Appropriate descriptors will be dependent on the ecosystem type. We do not have enough standard descriptors of condition for all the different ecosystem types –work in progress.

Q & A- part 1 Q-15% of what-is all EU territory to be included in the calculation? A-All EU territory is included within the scope of the 15% restoration target. Based on the principle that no location should be regarded as non-restorable- ecological conditions and functions can always be improved.

Q & A -part 2 Q-Land vs Sea? A-15% for the Land and 15% for the Sea. Q-Across the EU or Member State by Member State? A-15% restoration within the territory of each MS. No burden sharing and each MS decides its own restoration priorities.

Q & A- part 3 Q-What is the baseline/reference point against which progress should changes be measured? A-The 2010 EU biodiversity baseline (EEA Report) refined and improved where possible, has been identified as the reference point .

Links to related environmental policies Nature conservation-birds/habitats directives (Natura 2000) and Target 1 of the EU Biodiversity Strategy. A study on the restoration potential of the Natura 2000 network is currently underway. Freshwater and Marine (Water Framework Directive and Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Air Pollution. Eutrophication and Soil Protection.

The costs of achieving the 15% target Results of an EU financed study Costs per annum to 2020 for 4 different scenarios. # 1-Low cost- € 0.56-1.75 billion #2-Biodiversity focus-€ 5.16-7.87 billion #3-Ecosystem services focus-€ 5.87-8.59 Biodiversity/Ecosystem Services € 6.20-8.97 Additional annual maintenance costs for all scenarios- € 0.62-1.66 billion Costs of achieving target 2 of the Biodiversity Strategy http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/biodiversity/comm2006/pdf/2020/Fin%20Target%202.pdf

Restoration and EU Regional Development Policy There are many initiatives demonstrating the potential of the restoration economy funded through ERDF, mainly INTERREG. The following is only a small selection. It is expected that support for such initiatives will continue in the future. REVIT- Revitalizing Industrial Sites- (DE, FR, NL, UK) B- Team- Brownfields Policy (AT, DE, ES, Fin, HU, IR, IT, LAT, PL, UK) Green Keys- Urban Green as a Key for Sustainable Cities (BG, DE, GR, HU, IT, PL, SI) BERI- Brownfield Europe Regeneration Initiative (BE, DE, FiN, EST, FR, SE, UK) PROSIDE-Promoting Sustainable Inner Urban Development (AT, DE, HU, IT, PL, RO) Rekula –Restructuring Cultural Landscapes (DE, IT, PL)

Restoration under Horizon 2020 HORIZON 2020 – WORK PROGRAMME 2014-2015 Theme-Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials Specific item-SC5-7-2015: More effective ecosystem restoration in the EU Expected impact: Improved design of restoration/rehabilitation measures and incentives; more effective integration of the 'restoration agenda' into the delivery of major policy objectives----examine potential benefits of establishing restoration site networks allowing for long-term observations. http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/data/ref/h2020/wp/2014_2015/main/h2020-wp1415-climate_en.pdf

The wider policy context part 1 EU 2020. Growth (territorial and social cohesion), jobs, competitiveness, innovation, low carbon, resource efficient. Special focus on cities. Financial allocations to the major EU spending programmes reflect these priorities. Multi-annual financial framework 2014-2020-Smart and inclusive growth € 451 billion (47%), Sustainable growth: natural resources € 373 billion (39%)

The wider policy context-part 2 Some 2014 budget allocations. Horizon 2020 (R&D) -€ 9.33 billion; Regional Development-€ 47.5 billion (thematic concentration -innovation, SMEs, low carbon) as well as minimum thresholds for climate change and cities); Common Agricultural Policy € 57.8 billion; LIFE + (environment) €405 million. How can restoration contribute to this agenda?. http://ec.europa.eu/budget/mff/highlights/index_en.cfm

Questions for CGBN. The view of the Member States and the stakeholders with regard to restoration in general and the 15% restoration target in the EU Biodiversity Strategy in particular. Is restoration seen as a burden (another target) or an opportunity? Is restoration seen as a priority both in absolute terms and in relation to other biodiversity related issues such as Green Infrastructure, biodiversity proofing and No Net Loss?

Questions for CGBN-2 How can we get a greater profile, increased awareness, more money and engagement in support of restoration? What can the nature/biodiversity community do collectively and individually (EU institutions, Member States, business, NGOs, academia, professional bodies) to promote restoration?

Proposed conclusions for Nature Directors-1 Restoration is a priority issue in the context of the EU Biodiversity Strategy. Restoration can deliver direct and indirect benefits for biodiversity and contribute to jobs and growth. Restoration actions should be integrated into the delivery of the regional development policy, agricultural policy, fisheries and maritime policy and climate change policy at EU and national levels.

Proposed conclusions for Nature Directors-2 The Nature Directors should seek to ensure adequate funding at national and EU level to support public and private investments in restoring ecosystems The Nature Directors should support national and EU actions directed at raising awareness of restoration issues such as dedicated sessions in Green Week and/or the organization of other high-profile events.

Thank you for your attention patrick murphy@ec.europa.eu Some additional links Restoration support contract http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/biodiversity/comm2006/pdf/2020/RPF.pdf