ecologic.de Public Participation- Key element of EU Water Policy Nicole Kranz Ecologic - Institute for International and European Environmental Policy Berlin - Brussels Transboundary River Basin Management: Institutional and Public Participation Aspects, Chisinau, May 2006

ecologic.de Datum ecologic.de Dniester Workshop, Chisinau, 12/13 May Outline Historical aspects International developments Water Framework Directive Implementation: Focus Germany Observations Challenges Best practice

ecologic.de Datum ecologic.de Dniester Workshop, Chisinau, 12/13 May History Early beginnings Water management: one of the first environmental policy areas to consider interests of stakeholders Collective management of water resources Spain: water scarcity Netherlands: protection against flooding Germany: mill authorizations Involvement of the public dependent on overall political climate and cultural landscape

ecologic.de Datum ecologic.de Dniester Workshop, Chisinau, 12/13 May History Relevant processes in the past 20 years: Development of public awareness for threats to the environment Emerging citizens’ movement in reaction Creation of environmental NGOs Institutionalization of public participation in integrated planning procedures BUT: Situation varies across EU Challenges and shortcomings still exist

ecologic.de Datum ecologic.de Dniester Workshop, Chisinau, 12/13 May International Developments Aarhus Convention: Signed 1998, entry into force 2001 Influences EU and national policy-making Three pillars : Access to information Art. 4 & 5 Public participation in decisions (plans and programs) Art Access to justice Art. 9

ecologic.de Datum ecologic.de Dniester Workshop, Chisinau, 12/13 May European Union - WFD Preamble 14: Success of WFD directly depends on a successful implementation of PP Preamble 46: Importance of timely information....before decisions are taken Report on progress

ecologic.de Datum ecologic.de Dniester Workshop, Chisinau, 12/13 May European Union - WFD Article 14: ‘Public Information and Consultation’  Approach inspired by Aarhus: Foundation: Information Consultation during the planning process Active involvement To be guaranteed To be encouraged

ecologic.de Datum ecologic.de Dniester Workshop, Chisinau, 12/13 May Water Framework Directive Article 14: Consultation 12/’06: timetable for the production of the RBMP incl. PP 12/’07: interim overview of significant management issues 12/’08: draft copies of RBMP Final RBMP contains: 6 months for comments in writing from public Summary of public information measures taken, their results and changes to the plan made as a consequence Contact points and procedures for obtaining background documentation and information, details on measures and monitoring data

ecologic.de Datum ecologic.de Dniester Workshop, Chisinau, 12/13 May Water Framework Directive What’s new? “active involvement”...from the beginning Active involvement Co-Decision-making Self determination Challenge for water managers

ecologic.de Datum ecologic.de Dniester Workshop, Chisinau, 12/13 May Support with Implementation EU level: CIS - Working group (until 12/’02) ‘Guidance on Public Participation in the WFD’ Explanations Art. 14 and recommendations Instruments and techniques Case studies Germany: Länder Working Group Water (LAWA) Guideline for the implementation of the WFD Updated continually Contains references to PP

ecologic.de Datum ecologic.de Dniester Workshop, Chisinau, 12/13 May Functions of PP Improving policy-making Increasing transparency in decision-making Increasing the efficiency of the implementation of planning decisions Improving the acceptance of decisions by stakeholder groups Creation of awareness for environmental issues Social learning Using existing experience of stakeholder groups

ecologic.de Datum ecologic.de Dniester Workshop, Chisinau, 12/13 May The public Aarhus Convention WFD considers organized public interest groups: industry, fisheries, agriculture special role: environment NGOs general public ‘interested parties’ (Art. 14) = public Article 2 (4) “The public means one or more natural or legal persons, and, in accordance with national legislation or practice, their associations, organizations or groups”

ecologic.de Datum ecologic.de Dniester Workshop, Chisinau, 12/13 May Implementation Multi-dimensional process: variety of approaches Country LevelRiver BasinsLocal Level ActorsThemesGoalProcess Good ecological status

ecologic.de Datum ecologic.de Dniester Workshop, Chisinau, 12/13 May Examples International level International river basin; beyond German borders Decisions need to be taken in co-ordination with neighbors International commissions Stakeholders participation starting at this level Different cultures and approaches need to be aligned

ecologic.de Datum ecologic.de Dniester Workshop, Chisinau, 12/13 May Examples from Germany North Rhine-Westphalia Stakeholder structure Environment NGOs Water Associations Länder Authorities Industry Agriculture Fisheries Municipalities...

ecologic.de Datum ecologic.de Dniester Workshop, Chisinau, 12/13 May Examples from Germany North Rhine-Westphalia Länder level Advisory council, implementation of the WFD Working group on PP NRW-Guidance on PP (status analysis) River basin level Local environment agencies Working groups  interest groups, organized stakeholders Fora  information of the public

ecologic.de Datum ecologic.de Dniester Workshop, Chisinau, 12/13 May Examples from Germany Schleswig-Holstein Working groups in 30 river basin districts Lead: Water and Soil Associations (!) Participants Representatives of municipalities Authorities Associations of agriculture, industry, fisheries Themes Status analysis Data collection

ecologic.de Datum ecologic.de Dniester Workshop, Chisinau, 12/13 May Examples from Germany Local Level Strong link to Local Agenda 21 Role of water associations Possibility to reach general public Hands-on experiences with river management Creating a stronger awareness for water management issues

ecologic.de Datum ecologic.de Dniester Workshop, Chisinau, 12/13 May Observations: Germany Based on Ecologic’s work: general considerations PP is responsibility of the Länder Competent authority for PP is the Länder Ministry for Environment (strategy) Water authorities ensure the implementation on the regional / local level Local initiatives bring river basin management closer to the people

ecologic.de Datum ecologic.de Dniester Workshop, Chisinau, 12/13 May Observations / EU State-of-Play Different status of implementation Focus Information and consultation prevails, active involvement less frequent Concentration on status analysis with new challenges coming up Different approaches Set up of institutional structures (ad-hoc-process) Activities of stakeholders

ecologic.de Datum ecologic.de Dniester Workshop, Chisinau, 12/13 May Challenges Creation of linkages Different actor and themes Different structures Transboundary co-ordination (national & international) Creation of capacities Access to participatory approaches Support for participation Effectiveness of PP Legitimacy of representation

ecologic.de Datum ecologic.de Dniester Workshop, Chisinau, 12/13 May Best Practice Early involvement Stakeholder analysis Wide range of stakeholders Clear rules for interaction Transparency Using existing potentials èSuccessful public participation, better decisions, better environmental quality!

ecologic.de Public Participation- Key element of EU Water Policy Nicole Kranz Ecologic - Institute for International and European Environmental Policy Berlin - Brussels

ecologic.de Public Participation- Key element of EU Water Policy Nicole Kranz Ecologic - Institute for International and European Environmental Policy Berlin - Brussels