1. CGBN
Co-ordination Group
for Biodiversity and Nature
16th meeting – 27-28/03/14
Agenda item 2.1 Progress on Target 1 Developments since CGBN of Sept 2013 plus fitness check

2. Overview
This ppt to focus on following selected topics (see doc 2.1 for full info):
Marine issues
Natura 2000 Award Scheme
Large Carnivores
Fitness Check

3. Marine issues – site designations
Significant marine areas added (mainly from UK) in last update of Union SCI list
Overall picture remains (offshore gap, discrepancies among marine regions/sub-regions)
Marine SPAs adressed at last Ornis Committee meeting
Issue to be discussed at NDM

4. Marine issues – Marine expert group
Last meeting 7 November 2013, main topics:
Marine Natura 2000 designations (State of play)
Overall MPAs (State of play - forthcoming EEA report under MSFD)
CFP reform – new EMFF (Outcomes in relation to N2000 and other MPAs)
Draft doc on sensitivity analysis in relation to fisheries impacts
Outline of note on applying Art. 6 HD to fisheries
Options for setting up marine biogeographic process
On basis of comments, new versions of documents to be consulted with MEG in view of next meeting end Oct
Dedicated meeting of MEG in May on MPA assessment methodology under MSFD (lead: marine unit)

5. Marine issues Marine Biogeographic process CFP reform
1st discussion at Marine Expert Group 7/11/2013
Kick-off meeting planned in end Oct 2014 (back-to back with next MEG meeting)
CFP reform
New CFP Regulation adopted
Specific provisions for N2000-related fisheries measures
Concerns about required 'joint recommendations' – to be discussed at NDM
New EMFF finalised – adoption imminent – significant opportunities for N2000

6. Marine issues - 1st Joint nature/marine/water Directors meeting
Vilnius, 4/12/ Outcomes available
Initiative welcomed
Suggestions for practical cooperation
Next concrete step: workshop in autumn 2014 on sharing objectives between MSFD/WFD/BHD – invitation for prep group sent out
Progress to be reviewed at future Directors' meetings
Further joint meetings (next one likely under LUX Presid.)

7. Natura 2000 Award
to promote best practices for nature conservation in Europe and give more visibility to Natura 2000

8. Natura 2000 Award
5 categories: communication, conservation, reconciling interest and perceptions, networking and cross-border cooperation, socio-economic benefits
163 applications, evaluated by independent experts, 25 shortlisted
Jury meets in April to decide the winners
Award Ceremony on 21st of May
Local events
Communication 49
Socio-economic benefits 8
Conservation 58
Reconciling interests 38
Networking 10

9. Why did we launch the new initiative on Large Carnivores?
Return of the Large Carnivores (progress in achieving Favourable Conservation Status, with some exceptions), low social acceptance (within certain rural areas/categories), political sensitivities.
Large Carnivores:
Launch of the EU Platform on Coexistence between People and Large Carnivores on 10/06/2014
Aim: Provide a structure for constructive dialogue to find solutions to human – large carnivore conflicts
Entry ticket: Signing an agreement stating the key principles of engagement
Mission: assemble knowledge and good practices, to exchange experiences among different stakeholders to find commonly agreed solutions to LC conflicts.
Population level key actions: revised drafts will be discussed with the Habitats Committee on 29 April, 2014
4 pilot actions involving different stakeholders are being carried out
Towards a more common understanding in the setting of Favourable Reference Values (Art 17)?

10. The Nature Fitness Check
Part of Commission REFIT programme
A comprehensive policy evaluation to assess whether EU nature legislation is “fit for purpose”
Focus on Birds & Habitats Directive
Key questions to be addressed
Effectiveness (Have the objectives been met?)
Efficiency (Were the costs involved reasonable?)
Coherence (Does the policy complement other actions or are there contradictions?)
Relevance (Is EU action still necessary?)
EU added value (Can or could similar changes have been achieved at national/regional level, or did EU action provide clear added value?)
Mandate published on web site of Commission

11. Types of issues to be addressed
implementation and integration successes and problems.
costs of implementation and of non-implementation
administrative burden and opportunities for improving implementation and reducing administrative burden without compromising integrity of the purpose of the directives.
implementation in different Member States
the views of key stakeholder groups

12. EU Nature legislation Objectives External factors
Expected results/impacts
To contribute to ensuring biodiversity through conservation of Europe's most valuable and threatened species and habitats, especially within Natura 2000
MS activities
Other biodiversity initiatives
Scientific developments
Land use changes
Climate change
Economic crisis forcing rethink on growth and jobs
Halting and reversing loss of species and habitats
Achieving favourable conservation status
Protected area network under effective and efficient management
More sustainable land and water management
Better ecosystem Services & mutliple benefits to society
Actions
Identify and select Natura 2000 sites (SPA/SCI/SAC)
Establish necessary conservation measures for sites
Establish systems for protection of sites, including reconciling with development
Put in place necessary financing mechanisms for sites including use of EU funding
Encourage management of features of landscape
Establish systems of species protection and sustainable use, including derogation system
Undertake suveillance and periodic reporting
Carry out research
Address species re-introductions, control IAS and engage in education and awareness
Consequences
New mechanisms of co-operation between MS on site selection, protection and management
Level of Natura 2000 Coverage (km² designated)
Costs and benefits (€) of Natura 2000
Better integration of nature into key sectoral policies
Procedures for appropriate assessment to avoid, minimise and offset damage to Natura 2000 site
Systems of species protection, sustainable use and derogations
System of surveillance, monitoring and reporting
Improvements in knowledge about nature
Increased awareness about nature and biodiversity

13. Study contract to support Fitness Check
To help answer questions of fitness check
Will review available information and evidence
Will Consult with Member States and key stakeholders
Will evaluate relevant information and evidence sources at EU and Member State levels
Will assist with public internet consultation
Will assist with organising a workshop

14. Fitness Check timeframe and next steps
Set up dedicated page on DG ENV website to explain and provide information (February 2014 onwards)
Establish Commission Services Steering Group (February/March 2014)
Launch of External Study Contract (April 2014 to autumn 2015)
Public internet consultation (end 2014/start 2015)
EU assessment of Article 17 Habitats Directive and Article 12 Birds Directive national reports (first half of 2015)
Consultation at Green Week (June 2015) or other appropriate forum for preliminary discussion of fitness check assessment
Communication / Staff working document end 2015/early 2016.