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

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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)

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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?