Green infrastructure developments at EEA 2018 Eionet NRC-BD workshop, 28-29 June 2018 Gorm Dige

Context Target 2 of EU Biodiversity strategy to 2020 Birds and Habitats Directives – N2000 backbone of EU green and blue infrastructure EU green infrastructure strategy Review of progress in implementing the EU GI Strategy Action plan for nature, people and the economy (Action 12) Guidance on a strategic framework for further supporting the deployment of EU-level green and blue infrastructure (2018)

Review of progress in implementing the EU GI strategy (EC work) Main findings: Many MS mainstream GI in national biodiversity strategies; Except two (DE and SP), MS have not adopted specific national GI strategies per se; but 12 MS have national ecological networks 2 MS + 1 region have Restoration prioritisation frameworks (DE, NL, Flanders) Many GI initiatives in EU cities & at regional level Progress on GI-related knowledge base (e.g. MAES) Some progress in mainstreaming GI in some other EU policies beyond ENV (such as, e.g. DRR, CC, research, regional development, urban)

Review of progress in implementing the EU GI strategy (cont.) Main challenges: Competition with other policy objectives Different scales with different priorities Lack of a strategic vision. Only a few transnational GI initiatives Opportunities of current funding sources not fully exploited Funding use: for the 2007-13 period, EU funding primarily allocated to core areas conservation (91%), then restoration (7%). Other GI actions (urban and peri-urban, connectivity): less than 1% each

Guidance on a strategic framework for further supporting the deployment of EU-level green and blue infrastructure (EC work) Draft structure of the guidance on green and blue infrastructure: The multiple benefits of GI (part I) Taking stock of the GI Strategy review (part II) Key criteria to help identifying and stimulating green infrastructure projects (part III) EU support: through EU financing instruments; as well as through scientific and technical tools and instruments for the design of projects (part IV)

Guidance on a strategic framework for further supporting the deployment of EU-level green and blue infrastructure (cont.) Suggested cumulative criteria: Enhance the delivery of multiple ecosystem services Significantly contribute to the goals of EU Nature legislation Projects should have a strategic approach with an EU-level impact: either a scale which is significant and transcends administrative boundaries; or involve a minimum of two Member States; or implement a national GI strategy or a national restoration prioritisation framework.

EU support: Financing instruments Guidance on a strategic framework for further supporting the deployment of EU-level green and blue infrastructure (cont.) EU support: Financing instruments European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIFs) Programme for Environment and Climate Action (LIFE): see new 2018 calls for proposals: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/news/newsarchive2018/april/images/c all.jpg Horizon 2020 – The Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Innovative financing for EU-level GI: NCFF + Synergies with relevant processes such as the newly agreed Prioritisation Action Frameworks (PAF) to finance N2000. It now includes references to GI. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/financing/index_en.ht m

Guidance on a strategic framework for further supporting the deployment of EU-level green and blue infrastructure (cont.) EU support: Scientific and technical tools MAES: The European initiative on Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services (MAES) provides common definitions & indicators KIP INCA: will develop accounts on ecosystem condition and on ecosystem services at different levels of spatial aggregation; will be useful to support EU- level GI in the future GIS modelling tools: upcoming EEA/JRC/DG Env. report on ‘Informing strategic GI and ecosystem restoration planning through mapping and assessment methods based on spatial and technical data’

EEA GI tasks in 2018 Informing strategic GI and ecosystem restoration planning through mapping and assessment methods based on spatial and technical data This report is a joint effort between EEA/JRC/DG Env. and is now ready and available at: https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/6d5e35cb-8074-4ded-a796-a6efcb6917e0 Provide guidance to support strategic policy and decision-making on GI. It draws on a range of European-wide datasets and tools available for green and blue infrastructure mapping, showing how they are used in several case studies. Comments: If possible, we would be grateful to receive any comments you may have on this draft final report by 16 July, before its publication. Comments can be sent to: ENV- BIODIVERSITY@ec.europa.eu

EEA GI tasks in 2018 2. Spatial information and analysis that covers transboundary areas of GI Analysis on transboundary GI deployment and restoration (i.e. cross-border and outer borders of the EU) covering protected (N2000) and un-protected areas including its co-benefits for nature and people through delivery of ecosystem services. Analyse and support better characterisation of connectivity in terrestrial protected and non-protected areas and map where these can be enhanced to strengthen coherence of GI for habitats and species at European level. Use priority list of habitats and species and develop European-level/transboundary GI networks/maps. Compile case study examples that can be used to document the transboundary efforts and benefits of natural capital/GI of a region. Question: Would you be able to assist us in identifying case study examples that can be used to document the transboundary efforts and benefits of natural capital/GI of a region?

EEA GI tasks in 2018 3. Contribution to CAP landscape indicator to mainstream GI in the development Join forces with DG Env. and contribute with spatial/statistical information in particular in the development of the CAP landscape indicator. Insofar key GI gaps are identified in the CAP landscape indicator - develop a concept and draft indicator proposal for GI at landscape level. Link to existing indicator developments and datasets (e.g. CAP urban, SEBI, Copernicus land monitoring data products, CLC, etc.). Link and integration of data on ecosystem condition into a GI indicator including discussions on the role of socio-economic aspects for such an indicator. Question: In the development of a potential comprehensive GI indicator at landscape level we need to discuss this further with stakeholders. Would it be acceptable to share the developments with you in order to obtain comments?

4. The economic and financial case for GI and restoration EEA GI tasks in 2018 4. The economic and financial case for GI and restoration Review national guidance documents and/or strategies on GI to assess whether advice is provided on how to assess the impacts, costs and benefits (including co-benefits) of GI. Review and provide recommendations for guides/methodologies in Europe for assessing the impacts, costs and benefits (including co-benefits) of GI/nature-based solutions. Analyse and document quantifiable cost and benefits of GI investments including its co-benefits across a range of social, economic, and environmental improvements through case study examples. Look at approaches and financial instruments used to finance the EU Natura 2000 network in the context of the EU GI Strategy (i.e. ecological coherence between sites / sites and broader landscapes). Questions: Are you aware of existing guidance (especially at national, but also regional or local level) on the assessment of GI impacts, costs and (co-)benefits? Are you aware of any case study examples that analyse and document cost and benefits of GI investments including its co-benefits across a range of social, economic, and environmental topics?

Thank you Gorm.Dige@eea.europa.eu 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