Towards a prioritised action framework for financing Natura 2000 CGBN Co-ordination Group for Biodiversity and Nature 10th meeting - 08/04/2011 Agenda item 4.1 Towards a prioritised action framework for financing Natura 2000 http://biodiversity.europa.eu

The need for strategic multi-annual planning Need for more successful uptake of funds for Natura 2000 under next financial perspective Better planning also needed to optimise contribution of Natura 2000 to EU 2020 biodiversity target Given limited resources and potential financial constraints there is a need for clearer framework to set out objectives and priorities joined up approach that provides oversight and integrated perspective to better align Natura with EU programmes This should also help identify and address gaps in current administrative and other capacities

‘Prioritised Action Frameworks’ PAFs are frameworks to set out objectives and priorities, describe the Natura 2000 measures to be financed, identify the potential role of each EU fund to the national Natura 2000 network for the next Financial Perspective, set out the prioritised actions to be taken, including monitoring and evaluation measures Article 8 of the Habitats Directive already foresees the need to develop "a prioritized action framework " (PAF), to be taken when sites are designated as Special Areas of Conservation For the Member States concerned to decide on whether national and/or regional frameworks to be prepared

INITIAL OUTLINE FOR PAF (CGBN 18/11/10 DOC 2.1) Contextual information A general description of the nature conservation values of the territory specific legal, administrative & other provisions for conservation A list of Natura 2000 sites and an assessment of their contribution to FCS Information on the results of the Article 17 status assessment Information on the main risks and threats to habitats and species Information on relevant governmental and NGO plans and other arrangements for conservation and recovery of species and habitats strategic conservation objectives and priorities for the period 2014-2020 Sufficient detailed information on measures to achieve objectives/ priorities procedural provisions and co-operation between public authorities + with private bodies, technical and scientific institutions etc. An outlook for financing beyond this period

MS Feedback– positive elements A national, strategic and prioritised approach to financing measures related to Natura 2000 is necessary PAF important for long term strategic planning, identifying priorities to be financed, enhancing cost-efficiency, supporting requests for funding on longer term and to strengthen possibility for earmarking budgets based on objectives or implementation of instruments for conservation & supporting partnerships PAF approach would also allow for developing a flexible finance mechanism tailored to the real needs that relate level of funding to the level of ambition shown in the adopted conservation objectives and the efforts needed for reaching those objectives PAF sounds encouraging for the marine environment if it was to help cross- border regional management for sites and species

MS feedback –less positive elements would cause additional administrative burden - therefore ensure legal commitments in other programmes ( EAFRD, ERDF & ESF) timeframe foresees the end of 2012 for delivering of PAF it is unlikely that these commitments can be covered by other funds. If we introduce this it must be to support and enhance mainstreaming and not be a standalone priority. Nor should it inhibit other priority areas of work that come through the RDR. Proposal gives the impression of new reporting system for MS, repeating already available information -could easily lead to time consuming duplication of other exercises a significant amount of work of difficult synthesis and prioritisation - current financial estimates are approximate More information needed on the scope of exercise & timeframe Need to specify more clearly the legal basis under Article 8 focus on priority habitats and species

Further considerations on « Content » Will be limited to the necessary information - where COM has already received important elements (e.g. overview of list of Natura 2000 sites, article 17 report assessment, EU biodiversity action plan, response to earlier questionnaire on financing) this will be used and Member States would not be requested to duplicate this report but to check and verify the extracted information

Further considerations on « Format » COM will prepare standard format for required information Likely to contain following elements Overview of Natura 2000 network for territory Legal and administrative provisions Most up to date assessment on status of species and habitats Summary of experience under current financial perspective Strategic conservation objectives and priorities for next period Description of priority measures and relevant funding sources Format to the Habitats Committee for its agreement

Further considerations on « Level of detail » current limitations in knowledge of financing Natura 2000, which have to be factored into the design of the PAFs, especially as regards cost breakdown of measures. not expected that each priority measure set out under PAF would has detailed costings. need to allow for future updating by MS in light of improved knowledge on management measures, including as a result of future biogeographical seminars

Further considerations on « Scope of species and habitats covered» Current approach is to allow EU co-financing of essential conservation measures for all Natura 2000 habitats and species If PAF restricted to ‘priority habitats and species’ then very limited applicability to “marine” and none for Birds Directive Updated Cost estimates of MS do not provide detailed cost estimates for priority habitats and species COM propose priority focus on ‘priority habitats and species’ but also Actions for nationally important species and habitats under Directive actions necessary to ensure good functioning of Natura 2000 network (SACs + SPAs), attainment of the 2020 biodiversity targets (especially nature sub-target) multiple ecosystem benefits from effective management and restoration of Natura 2000 sites (including links to climate change mitigation/adaptation). For Member States to set out their priorities in light of the above considerations.

Further considerations on « Link to EU financial instruments» PAF not a standalone document but as a tool for mainstreaming Aim to have specification of the need for funding of Natura 2000 in relevant programmes ‘consistent with the PAFs’ but not yet assured of formal links with EU financial instruments aim is to identify measures relevant to key funds (e.g. rural development under CAP, fisheries management under CFP) that could then be integrated into these programmes PAF may represent a particularly valuable tool to promote 'integrated projects' under possible future LIFE type instrument To maximise influence and the prospect of the uptake first PAFs should be in place by end 2012 Aim will be to ensure complementarity and consistency between information in PAFs and the relevant programmes

Further considerations on « Approval of PAFs» It is proposed that draft PAFs are submitted to COM by each MS This would be followed by bilateral discussions between COM and MS to refine and finalise PAFs. COM would then propose the PAFs for approval within the framework of the Habitats Committee. PAFs would be open to further review and updating in light of experience & further refinement (e.g. arising from LIFE projects)

Issues for which views of CGBN sought The scope of the exercise Content of PAF - finding right balance between information required and feasibility/added value of PAF What risks there are linked to the process and how best to mitigate them How formal the process of adoption/approval of the PAFs should be (Article 8, Habitats Committee, adoption of decisions etc) Timing of PAF in relation to other EU financial instruments and how to best ensure alignment with other programming processes and programmes, ensuring consistency and avoiding double work.