Cohesion policy and the environment Luisa Sanches DG REGIO OPEN DAYS 2005

Cohesion/Structural Funds support to environment Financial support to investments Selection criteria Compliance with legislation

Synergies between environment protection and growth Long-term sustainability of growth Decrease external environmental cost to economy Stimulation of innovation and job creation

Rationale Preserving the environmental potential by the use of adequate processes and technologies (everywhere), and improving the environmental infrastructures (in the poorer regions and countries) are relevant factors for growth and jobs

Where can environment be found in the guidelines?

Governance Regions are encouraged to develop regional sustainable development strategies, building consensus on the objectives to be achieved through regular and systematic dialogue with key stakeholders.

Section on innovation Eco-innovations Introduction of environmental management systems

Section on energy Renewable and alternative technologies which can give the EU a leading edge

Section on transport Environmentally sustainable transport networks

Section on environmental protection and growth Investment in infrastructure: water, waste, air and biodiversity Attractive conditions for business EU Kyoto commitments Risk prevention

Division of labour The Cohesion Fund should in general focus on infrastructure investments in water, waste and air pollution The Structural Funds should in general focus on the promotion of environmental management systems, on the dissemination of clean technologies in SMEs and the rehabilitation of contaminated sites

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