1. Greening the future Cohesion Policy
Thessaloniki,
Georges Kremlis,
Head of Unit, Cohesion Policy & Environmental Impact Assessments,
DG ENVIRONMENT
European Commission

2. Sixth Environmental Action Programme (6th EAP)
Full co-decision
Four main priorities
Climate change
Biodiversity
Sustainable use of resources
Links with health
Seven thematic Strategies (Clean Air for Europe, Soil Protection, Sustainable Use of Pesticides, Protection and Conservation of the Marine Environment, Waste Prevention and Recycling, Sustainable Use of Natural Resources, Urban Environment)

3. Environment and Lisbon (I)
Environment is a new “industry”
Over 1.5 m jobs in Germany (more than car or food sectors), 1 in 6 jobs and 9% of GDP in Wales
Over 2.2 m jobs in EU eco-technology industries
EU is a world leader in eco-technologies – over €400mn trade surplus for air and water in 2004
Waste prevention and efficient use of resources save companies money
Environmental standards act as a strong dynamic for “innovation”
High environmental standards are essential to maintain the integrity of the single market - avoiding eco-protectionism

4. Environment and Lisbon (II)
Postponing action now will cost more in the future
Health costs of no further action on air - € bn
Recent costs of extreme weather events - $27bn global insured losses in 2004
Insurance industry estimates of costs of climate change - $100bn pa in 2010

5. Implementation deficit
Some 1200 open cases on environment
25% of total Commission case load
Nature
Environmental impact assessment
Waste
Water
Pro-active approach to helping Member States
Meetings
Guidelines
Infringements / Court action / fines

6. New Member States
More than 10 years of alignment with environmental acquis through pre-accession strategies
Rich in biodiversity (e.g. eastern Poland – Via Baltica)
Significant improvements have occurred in air and water quality resulting in better health
Investment needed of € billion for compliance with environmental acquis in EU 10
Transition periods for investment heavy acquis

7. What we have achieved so far 2000-6 – environmental financing
Around 16% foreseen for environment in Objectives 1 & 2 in EU (“vertical” and “horizontal” integration)
50% of the Cohesion Fund (CF) set aside for environmental infrastructure in EU25 (mainly “vertical” integration) –
but share not always achieved in all countries
Increase by 75% of expenditure on environment from period in EU15
Around €8 billion for EU for environment for SF, CF, ISPA, PHARE & SAPARD

8. What we have achieved so far 2000-6 – environmental compliance
Natura 2000 (Commissioner letter; complementary Guidelines 2003) - precautionary approach applied for last 3 years in EU25 with need to provide lists before potentially damaging projects implemented; commitment to co-finance Natura 2000 network
Nitrates Directive (Commissioner letter) - similar approach to Natura 2000 on designating nitrate vulnerable zones
Waste plans (Guidelines of 1999) – e.g. requirements in Community Support Framework for Italy in absence of agreed waste plan
Environmental Impact Assessment consolidation (acquis) – e.g. negotiation of Operational Programmes sped up regional implementation in Italy
Urban wastewater Treatment (Commissioner letter) – Ireland/Cohesion Fund due to lack of designation of sensitive areas
Dams (Commissioner letter) – Cohesion Fund for environmental purposes not agricultural
Water Framework Directive (complementary Guidelines of 2003) – requirement for water investments to be in line with WFD
Polluter Pays, Prevention and Precautionary principles (Treaty)

9. Environment in the future Cohesion Policy
General Provisions Regulation – investments must reflect Community environmental and sustainable development priorities (Art. 3), respect of acquis (Art. 8), environmental partners (Art. 10)
High priority to environment and risks in proposed ERDF Regulation
Investment heavy environmental projects and sustainable energy and transport projects in proposed CF
Capacity Building in ESF
Draft CSG Guidelines of contain strong messages throughout to invest in environment contributing to renewed Lisbon Agenda and the Sustainable Development Strategy

10. improving the environmental contribution to growth and jobs
In particular CSG: Making Europe and its regions a more attractive place to invest and work
expand and improve transport infrastructure -sustainable urban and inter-urban transport
improving the environmental contribution to growth and jobs
infrastructures for air, water, waste, nature and species protection in Convergence regions
promoting landuse planning to reduce urban sprawl, physical rehabilitation including natural and cultural assets
Investment to promote Kyoto commitments in addition to those to promote sustainable energy and transport
Risk prevention through improved management of natural resources, RTD, ICTs and public management policies
addressing Europe’s intensive use of traditional energy sources – renewable energies and energy efficiency

11. DG ENV – investment priorities in line with CSG for NSRFs and OPs
Water investments in line with Water Framework Directive (urban wastewater treatment, water supply)
Waste management in line with agreed waste plans
Combating climate change (sustainable energy and transport in Cohesion Fund), air pollution, Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control
Urban transport/urban environmental policy
Natura 2000
Natural and Technological Risks
Coastal zones (EUROSION study)
To be included as funding priorities

12. DG ENV – cross-cutting principles for NSRFs and OPs
Article 6 of Treaty of European Union – environment as a cross-cutting principle with a view to promoting sustainable development
Respect of environmental acquis
Ensure NSRFs refer to 6th EAP and SDS
Regional Agenda 21 – regional sustainable development
Partnership principle - environmental partners (authorities and NGOs involved in all stages)
Selection criteria – Bonuses, Integrated Product Policy, green public procurement, sustainable construction
Evaluation requirements – SEA and EIA Directives
Indicators
Environmental capacity building
Environmental networks, Theme Managers
Synergies with other Community co-financing
To be mentioned in the NSRFs and/or OPs

13. The SEA Directive (2001/42/EC) and the future Cohesion Policy
Report due to Council and EP on relationship between SEA Directive and Community co-financing, December 2005 (Art. 12(4))
Commission Methodological Working Paper on –to be discussed with MSs on Ex-Ante Evaluation contains annex on SEA
Interreg IIIC (south-west UK led) Greening Regional Development Programmes (GRDP) SEA Handbook – to be discussed and at ENEA Plenary

14. SEA and the new Regulations – does SEA apply in principle?
Current exclusion for Structural Funds and EAGGF (Art. 3(9)) not extended to the next programming period
Plans and programmes co-financed by the European Community are included in the scope of the SEA Directive (art. 2)
SEA will be applicable to plans / programmes drawn up under the new Regulations as to any other plan and programme

15. SEA and the new Regulations – to what will SEA apply?
Plans and programmes co-financed under new Regulations will have to be checked against the Directive’s « tests » (Art. 2, definition of plan/ programme and Art. 3, scope)
If they meet all criteria, they will have to be subject to SEA

16. SEA - an important message
The SEA Directive invites to avoid duplication of assessment, e.g. for plans which form part a hierarchy
When deciding on the « scope » of the assessment, consider at what stage and level of the decision-making process the assessment should be best carried out
Information obtained at other levels in the decision-making process / through other EC legislation may be used

17. European Network of Environmental Authorities for the Cohesion Policy (ENEA)
Composed of EU Member States (mainly environmental ministries), environmental NGOs, international organisations (Regional Environmental Center (REC), EEA, GRDP and Commission services (REGIO, ENV, EMPL, TREN, etc.)
Meetings , ,
Website:

18. Conclusion: overall message
Mutual beneficial relationship between cohesion and environmental policies:
1) Environment can be co-financed under all proposed Objectives - Convergence, Regional Competitiveness and Employment & Cooperation
Cohesion policy finances environmental infrastructure and improvements
Environment is a key factor of competitiveness – employment, investment, attractive environment (renewed Lisbon Strategy)
2) Compliance with EC environmental legislation can ensure sustainability

19. Thank you
for your attention!