1 LIFE+ COUNCIL WORKING GROUP 4 OCTOBER 2004

2 Discussion Points 1. LIFE+ in Context: Environment funding under the Financial Perspectives. 2. LIFE+ in Content:  What is it?  How does it compare to the current LIFE programme?  What budget allocation is foreseen?  Will it fund NATURA?

3 Starting Point Commission Communications: “Building our common future ~ Policy challenges and budgetary means of the enlarged Union, ” [COM(2004) 101]; and “Financial Perspectives ” [COM(2004) 487]. Environment is mainstreamed in other Community programmes, but not all funding needs can be covered by these programmes, hence proposal for a dedicated instrument for the environment: LIFE+

4 Environment and the Financial Perspectives Heading 1 – Sustainable Growth 1a Competitiveness: A framework programme for innovation and competitiveness: will include the promotion of and support for eco-efficient innovation and environmental technologies (under preparation) Growth Adjustment Fund: large environment projects will be eligible for funding RTD: research on the environment 1b Cohesion Convergence Regional competitiveness/employment Co-operation

5 Heading 1b: Convergence, competitiveness & co-operation: examples of environment funding European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)/ Convergence Waste management Water supply, urban waste-water treatment Air quality Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Rehabilitation of contaminated sites and land ERDF/Regional Competitiveness Infrastructures linked to biodiversity & Natura 2000 Clean urban public transport Renewable energies and energy efficiency

6 Heading 1b: Convergence, competitiveness & co-operation: examples of environment funding Co-operation (ERDF)  Joint management of environment  Risk Prevention, maritime safety, flooding, erosion, earthquakes, avalanches, risk mapping etc.  Integrated Water Management European Social Fund (ESF)  Institution building, training, etc.

7 Funding for the environment under the Financial Perspectives Heading 2 – Sustainable Use and Management of Resources Agriculture:  Rural development based on 3 priority axes (competitiveness, land management and broader rural issues) Fisheries, including sustainable development of coastal regions Dedicated funding for the environment: LIFE+ Heading 3 or Heading 1b EU Solidarity Fund: Civil Protection (under preparation ) Heading 4 – EU as a Global Partner Integration of environment into country and regional strategies and programmes Multilateral funding:thematic programme for the environment

8 LIFE+ What is LIFE+? a policy support instrument – used for implementation, governance and information/communication aims. an open instrument – in support of the four main thematic priorities of the 6th EAP, but, without any ring fencing in the regulation. a streamlined and simplified approach to EU level support for environment policy development and implementation, merging many of the current programmes into one.

9 LIFE + LIFE + has two strands: I.LIFE+ Implementation and Governance: consolidating the knowledge base; development and demonstration of innovative approaches to policy development and implementation; support for environmental governance.

10 LIFE + II. LIFE+ Information and Communication: disseminate information and raise awareness on environmental issues; provide support for accompanying measures (events, campaigns, conferences, etc).

11 How will LIFE+ work? LIFE+ facilitates a programme approach, supports a range of different actions and opens the possibility for decentralised management: a multi-annual programming approach for better planning, focus on priorities, transparency. types of management methods: centralised and decentralised programme approaches; implementing provisions to be adopted. different types of actions within strategic framework :

12 LIFE+: Actions Within the Programming Framework Building the Knowledge Base: studies, surveys, modelling and scenario building; development of common methodologies, indicators, benchmarks; Building Capacity: demonstration and pilot actions; elaboration and publication of guides; training and workshops; IT platform development and data-bases; preparation of monitoring approaches; Best Practice Exchange and Networking: best practice platforms; networking of specialised bodies; organisation of working groups of national officials; Governance: support for non-governmental organisations and other stakeholder organisations; Communicating: awareness raising campaigns; conferences/seminars; media campaigns and events; decentralised help desks.

13 LIFE+: Budget? How Does it Compare to Current Spending? Environment policy area: comparative figures over the period Year Overall budget - all headings (€)120,688133,560138,700143,140146,670150,200154,315158,450 Increase per year (€m)12,8725,1404,4403,530 4,1154,135 % increase per year 3.85%3.20%2.47%2.41%2.74%2.68% Heading 2 allocation (€m)56,01557,18057,90058,11557,98057,84957,82557,805 Of which, 'LIFE+' allocation Increase per year (€m) % increase per year 9% 7% LIFE+' % of heading 20.43%0.46%0.50%0.54%0.58%0.62%0.66% LIFE+' % of overall budget 0.18%0.19%0.20%0.21%0.22%0.23%0.24%

14 LIFE+: Compared to current programmes? The new single instrument will succeed: Forest Focus, NGO Programme, Urban Programme; LIFE Programme (3 strands, Nature, Environment and 3rd countries); and a general fund supporting policy development and policy implementation. The basic objectives and scope of some of these programmes will continue to be covered under LIFE+.

15 LIFE+: Different from LIFE Environmental technology and eco-innovation:  Innovation and competitiveness framework (under preparation)  Funding of the external dimension of environment policy:  through the external assistance instruments (covering external actions which were financed out of the general implementation facility and LIFE 3rd Countries). LIFE Nature:  structural investment/infrastructure aspect will be funded from rural development and cohesion policy.

16 LIFE+ and NATURA 2000 How will NATURA 2000 be funded? Will LIFE Nature be continued?

17 Mainstreaming NATURA Environment is mainstreamed ~ NATURA is mainstreamed. NATURA implementation: active management of the sites requires increased funding; funding of a strategic, longer term and structural nature needed;support for investment and infrastructure. Cohesion policy and rural development funds are best placed to provide this: they have the financial weight to make a difference; even an increased LIFE Nature fund would not allow access to the necessary amount of funding. BUT, there will be residual actions – important actions – that may not be co-funded under the structural or rural development funds. These will have to be covered by Member States AND there remain possibilities for support under LIFE+.

18 LIFE+ and NATURA Protection of bio-diversity is a 6th EAP priority. It will undoubtedly be a priority in the LIFE+ multi-annual programme foreseen in the Regulation. Such a programme would set out objectives, actions and expected results, for example, Objective: Halt biodiversity loss in the EU by 2010, through support for an integrated approach to implementing the NATURA network. Types of Actions: innovative approaches and demonstration of site management; technical support for the preparation of management plans for the sites and other strategic studies; (not covered through other Community Funds) design of innovative monitoring schemes; support for the establishment of local partnerships that promote specific governance approaches to the protection of Natura 2000 areas; training of various stakeholders including awareness raising campaigns; communication and networking activities; Expected Result: Active management of X% of Natura 2000 sites (in MS ‘X’)

19 LIFE+ Next Steps Continuing discussions with the institutions on the LIFE+ proposal. Preparation of:  Multiannual programme  Implementing provisions.