Water and the Green Economy: The EEA perspective Informal Meeting of Water and Marine Directors 26-27 May, Riga 2015 Ronan Uhel European Environment Agency

The 7th EAP: a long term vision of sustainability “In 2050, we live well, within the planet's ecological limits. Our prosperity and healthy environment stem from an innovative, circular economy where nothing is wasted and where natural resources are managed sustainably, and biodiversity is protected, valued and restored in ways that enhance our society's resilience. Our low-carbon growth has long been decoupled from resource use, setting the pace for a global, safe and sustainable society.” Source: 7th Environment Action Programme Other EU policies offer similar perspectives: Europe 2020 Strategy, EU Energy Roadmap 2050, Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe, Roadmap for a competitive low-carbon economy in 2050, etc. 2

SOER 2015 Assessment of global megatrends Introduction to SOER 2015 SOER 2015 The EEA is mandated in its governing regulation to publish a State of the Environment Report (SOER) every five years, to assess the European environment’s state, trends and prospects. The suite of SOER 2015 products – 2 reports and 87 briefings – provide a baseline to assess where Europe is making progress against the 7th EAP objectives. The SOER 2015 synthesis report signals opportunities to recalibrate policies and knowledge in line with the 2050 vision. SOER 2015 Synthesis report SOER 2015 Assessment of global megatrends 11 briefings Global megatrends 25 briefings European briefings 9 briefings Cross-country comparisons 39+3 briefings Countries and regions

Introduction to SOER 2015 Composition of SOER 2015 Synthesis report Focus: A synthesis across different SOER 2015 parts to provide a strategic and integrated assessment. It is multidisciplinary, spans thematic issues and geographic scales and aims to support decision-making. Based on: relevant EEA data, indicators and assessments complemented with other sources; and dedicated stakeholder workshops. Format: Published as a printed report and online with links to underlying data, indicators and references.

Progress to policy targets Assessing European trends: Protecting, conserving and enhancing natural capital Protecting, conserving and enhancing natural capital   5–10 year trends Progress to policy targets Terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity  Land use and soil functions No target  Ecological status of freshwater bodies  Water quality and nutrient loading    Air pollution and its ecosystem impacts Marine and coastal biodiversity Climate change impacts on ecosystems No target 20+ years outlook Improving trends dominate Trends show mixed picture Deteriorating trends dominate Largely on track Partially on track Largely not on track    Source: EEA. SOER 2015 Synthesis report. Overall summary table Summary table 2/3 Summary table 3/3

Understanding the boundaries for use – EBM WFD & MSFD Source: EEA SOER 2015 briefing on Hydrological systems and sustainable water management

GO TO ONLINE BRIEFING Freshwater quality Much cleaner than 25 years ago, many water bodies are still affected by pollutants and/or altered habitats. In 2009, only 43 % showed a good/high ecological status; the 10 points expected increase for 2015 (53 %) constitutes only a modest improvement in aquatic ecosystem health. Water management should improve with the second round of river basin management plans in 2015-16 resulting in the realisation of more policy objectives through stringent, well- integrated implementation and public participation. © Peter Kristensen, EEA Ecol. status of freshwater bodies Water quality and nutrient loading Climate change impacts on ecosystems Industrial pollution to air, soil and water Water pollution & related envi. health risks Urban systems and grey infrastructure Chemicals & related envi. health risks Water use and water stress Freshwater quality

Hydrological systems and sustainable water management GO TO ONLINE BRIEFING Hydrological systems and sustainable water management Intensive agriculture, urbanisation, energy production and flood protection have altered European hydrological systems and freshwater habitats for decades. Climate change adds to these challenges (higher water temperature, more floods or water scarcity). Less than half of all water bodies have a ‘good status’. Full and coordinated implementation of water and nature legislation would restore aquatic habitats and foster water efficiency. © Katarzyna Dąbrowska, Environment & Me /EEA Ecol. status of freshwater bodies Water quality and nutrient loading Water use and water stress

Water management - investing in Natural Capital Sustainability 1st phase 1970-2000 2nd phase 2000-2015 3rd phase 2015-2050 Climate proof Green infrastructure Green/blue cities Nature based solutions Reduction at source Water/food link Water/energy link Treatment and sanitation Flood defence Drainage Water efficiency Economic instruments Water pricing Infrastructure Time

Ecosystem-based management for the seas Spatial approach Multiple objectives Recognising connections Cumulative impacts

Marine environment Seas and oceans act as a coherent ecosystem. GO TO ONLINE BRIEFING Marine environment Seas and oceans act as a coherent ecosystem. Across all of Europe’s regional seas, marine biodiversity is in poor condition: only 7 % of marine species assessments indicate ‘favourable conservation status’. Effects of climate change (e.g. acidification) add to the cumulative impacts. Effective policy implementation can reduce impacts. For example, for several stocks the number of fish caught at ‘maximum sustainable yield’ levels continues to increase, suggesting healthier stocks. EU MPA networks continues to expand. Large amount of ‘unknowns’, ‘not assessed’ or ‘not reported’. © Spyridoula Kressou, Environment & Me /EEA Marine and coastal biodiversity Climate change impacts on ecosystems

Maritime activities GO TO ONLINE BRIEFING Maritime activities Exploitation of European seas and coasts continues to increase as new industries emerge and traditional ones move further off-shore. The main pressures include: extraction of species, pollution, the spread of non-indigenous species and seafloor disturbance. In calling for an ecosystem-based approach, the EU’s Integrated Maritime Policy (MSFD, MSP, Blue Growth) and the EU’s Common Fishery Policy recognises the balance that must be achieved between ‘use’ of the sea and achieving the objective of ‘good environmental status’ by 2020. © Pirjo Jha, Environment & Me /EEA Marine and coastal biodiversity

Transitions to a better ‘wet’ environment SUSTAINABILITY 2050 2014/2018 WFD targets Nature Directives targets MSFD Baseline 2020 targets MSFD target (Good Environmental Status) Halt biodiversity loss Fisheries below Max. Sustainable Yield 20-20-20 targets Vision in 7EAP Reduce GHG 80-95% Water blueprint Zero impacts (air) SDGs ? TIME Transitions for an improved marine environment In the longer term, we need to think more radically and look at changing fundamental aspects of our society. This is where the message of hope is perhaps the most important. Our ‘socio-technical’ systems (for transport, food, and energy) all affect the oceans. To see real improvement in our marine environment, we must not only implement the MSFD and existing environmental legislation. We must also make radical changes in these underlying socio-technical systems. This means re-orienting our economies and our values to make a transition to more sustainable ways of living, producing and consuming. Making transitions is tricky, but it is necessary to fulfil the vision contained in the 7th EAP of ‘living well within the limits of our planet’, which speaks of our unsustainable practices of agriculture, land use and consumption. To fulfil this vision, we need bold new targets with the force of the 2020 targets in order to solidify and back up the visions is in line with the 2050 vision contained in the 7th EAP. 2014-2018 thematic policies timelines and deadlines 2020/2030 comprehensive policies (Europe 2020, 7th EAP), or specific targets 2050 long term visions and targets with a societal transition perspective

Sharing data and information Developing WISE-Marine Principles of SEIS Partnership with Regional Sea Conventions Sharing data and information The aim of WISE-Marine is to develop a website in line with the BISE site, focused on sharing information related to the MSFD. EEA will develop a section focused on state of the marine environment which is to be supported by European and regional indicators. As part of its work to support MSFD implementation, EEA is also developing a data infrastructure for WISE-Marine which should be able to handle data and information reported as part of MSFD, and to inform and visulalise the indicators needed for the state of the environment section.

SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS providing social needs and value Green Economy: Living well within ecological limits Ecosystem services ECOSYSTEMS Policy Values Technology Science Market Industry SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS providing social needs and value Environmental externalities Withdrawals from the ecosystems Deposits Emissions Pollution system Food Energy Mobility

SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS providing social needs and value Green Economy: Living well within ecological limits ECOSYSTEMS Ecosystem services Water supply Habitats Flood retention / protection Recreation, cultural services … Withdrawals from the ecosystems SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS providing social needs and value system Policy Industry Energy system Food system Ecosystem services Environmental externalities system system Mobility system Market Values Deposits Emissions Pollution Science Technology

SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS providing social needs and value Green Economy: Living well within ecological limits ECOSYSTEMS Values and norms Cultural Well being Historic identity Withdrawals from the ecosystems SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS providing social needs and value system Policy Industry Energy system Food system Ecosystem services Environmental externalities system system Mobility system Market Values Deposits Emissions Pollution Science Technology

SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS providing social needs and value Green Economy: Living well within ecological limits Market dynamics Water services, supply, treatment Water price Part in overall production costs ROI from investing in natural capital ECOSYSTEMS Withdrawals from the ecosystems SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS providing social needs and value system Policy Industry Energy system Food system Ecosystem services Environmental externalities system system Mobility system Market Values Deposits Emissions Pollution Science Technology

SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS providing social needs and value Green Economy: Living well within ecological limits Water sector Technology Process Energy Employment Competitiveness ECOSYSTEMS Withdrawals from the ecosystems SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS providing social needs and value system Policy Industry Energy system Food system Ecosystem services Environmental externalities system system Mobility system Market Values Deposits Emissions Pollution Science Technology

SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS providing social needs and value Green Economy: Living well within ecological limits ECOSYSTEMS Technology and science ‘Water’ sector and beyond Innovation for efficiency Research for nature based solutions Patents Withdrawals from the ecosystems SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS providing social needs and value system Policy Industry Energy system Food system Ecosystem services Environmental externalities system system Mobility system Market Values Deposits Emissions Pollution Science Technology

ECOSYSTEMS Sectors and core systems SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS Green Economy: Living well within ecological limits ECOSYSTEMS Sectors and core systems Water/energy link Smart agriculture and food consumption Inland navigation Built environment Withdrawals from the ecosystems SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS providing social needs and value system Policy Industry Food system Energy Mobility Ecosystem services Environmental externalities system system Market Values Deposits Emissions Pollution Science Technology

SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS providing social needs and value Green Economy: Living well within ecological limits ECOSYSTEMS Withdrawals from the ecosystems SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS providing social needs and value Systemic and integrated policies Achieve “good status” not end goal Respect sustainability limits High ambition level Strong implementation system Policy Industry Food system Ecosystem services Energy system Environmental externalities system system Mobility system Market Values Deposits Emissions Pollution Science Technology

SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS providing social needs and value Externalities Minimized Circularity Evaluated in light of overall sustainability Green Economy: Living well within ecological limits ECOSYSTEMS Withdrawals from the ecosystems SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS providing social needs and value system Policy Industry Energy system Food system Ecosystem services Environmental externalities system system Mobility system Market Values Deposits Emissions Pollution Science Technology

Conclusions Use of our water resources, marine and freshwater, must respect ecological boundaries to achieve 2050 visions of sustainability Policy visions for economic growth must be aligned with policy targets for securing healthy and clean European waters Achieving these visions are possible but depends on our actions and investments today including continued cooperation among stakeholders

New EEA water reports State of Europe’s seas

Thank you Ronan.Uhel@eea.europa.eu Sign up to receive EEA news, reports and alerts on your areas of interest at http://eea-subscriptions.eu/subscribe eea.europa.eu

Additional slides for information

The diversity of Europe’s regional seas Future growth and the need for effective marine policy These problems are serious. But there is every indication that our seas could come under further pressure. Our societies are planning on increasing their maritime activities and exploitation of the sea in a range of sectors: transport and tourism, oil and gas extraction, seabed mining, and offshore renewable energy production. The EU’s Blue Growth strategy is an integrated plan that sees our marine environment as an engine of job creation and economic growth. In the coming years it will be crucial to ensure that this Blue Growth strategy is developed within sustainable limits, in a way that also guarantees the continued health of our marine ecosystems. It is the role of the MSFD to ensure sustainable use.   There is already some cause for hope as effective management does produce results. Take fisheries: the percentage of assessed European Atlantic fish stocks fished within or at their maximum sustainable yield has increased from 6% in 2005 to 39% in 2013. In the Baltic region, countries surrounding the Baltic Sea have agreed targets for reducing nutrient pollution to the sea which has reduced nutrient inputs by approximately 10% since 2003. This shows that targeted management efforts can greatly help. We can add to this hope by building on the important first steps of the MSFD and strengthening it further.

Clean and undisturbed seas? Fishing, agriculture, litter and invasive alien species To these effects of climate change, we must also add a range of other pressures. Fishing is one such pressure. It is unquestionably placing strain on European fish stocks. In 2013, 39% of the assessed stocks were overfished in the North East Atlantic and adjacent waters while 88% of the assessed stocks in the Mediterranean and Black Seas were overfished. Off shore construction such as oil and gas infrastructure and wind turbines are adding further pressure.   Human activities on land are also impacting on our seas. Agricultural fertilisers used on European farms are washed into rivers and discharged into our seas, causing eutrophication, the pollution of the seas by nutrients. These nutrients uses up oxygen in the water, killing other species, and making parts of our seas into ‘dead zones’ without any dissolved oxygen. Eutrophication is a particular cause of concern in the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea and parts of the North Sea. Another land-based activity that is damaging our seas is litter. Increasing amounts of litter, mostly coming from land-based sources, are ending up in the oceans. Marine litter causes injuries and death to a range of marine wildlife, mainly through ingestion and entanglement. To help better understand this problem, the EEA has developed Marine LitterWatch (MLW), a smartphone application, which combines citizen engagement and modern technology. Citizens can download the MarineLitterWatch app and input data on the marine litter they encounter on beaches and coastlines across Europe. The aim is to empower citizen networks throughout Europe with MLW and help to improve our knowledge of marine litter issues. MLW will also support the European Clean-up day on the 10th May and the Commissioner´s call for citizens across Europe to get involved and take the future of their environment into their own hands. Lastly alien invasive species in European waters are adding to the pressure on marine biodiversity. Almost 300 hundred new species have been reported in European seas in the new millennium.

Offshore wind capacity (EWEA 2011) Expecting substantial maritime growth Future growth and the need for effective marine policy These problems are serious. But there is every indication that our seas could come under further pressure. Our societies are planning on increasing their maritime activities and exploitation of the sea in a range of sectors: transport and tourism, oil and gas extraction, seabed mining, and offshore renewable energy production. The EU’s Blue Growth strategy is an integrated plan that sees our marine environment as an engine of job creation and economic growth. In the coming years it will be crucial to ensure that this Blue Growth strategy is developed within sustainable limits, in a way that also guarantees the continued health of our marine ecosystems. It is the role of the MSFD to ensure sustainable use.   There is already some cause for hope as effective management does produce results. Take fisheries: the percentage of assessed European Atlantic fish stocks fished within or at their maximum sustainable yield has increased from 6% in 2005 to 39% in 2013. In the Baltic region, countries surrounding the Baltic Sea have agreed targets for reducing nutrient pollution to the sea which has reduced nutrient inputs by approximately 10% since 2003. This shows that targeted management efforts can greatly help. We can add to this hope by building on the important first steps of the MSFD and strengthening it further. Offshore wind capacity (EWEA 2011)

Ecological status of Europe’s rivers - WFD 1st round 7 % high 36 % good 38 % moderate 13 % poor 5 % bad Source: EEA 2012

Eco-industries have prospered despite the recession in Europe Eco-industry value added Eco-industry employment Total EU GDP Total EU employment Source: Eurostat, 2014.

WFD – achieving good water status Source: Commission Communication 2015 ‘The Water Framework Directive and the Floods Directive: Actions towards the 'good status' of EU water and to reduce flood risks’.