Implementation of the WFD: when ecosystem services come into play, Brussels, 29& Utilizing the ESA for WFD implementation: opportunities and challenges Eduard Interwies

Implementation of the WFD: when ecosystem services come into play, Brussels, 29& Background Environmental policy consulting: Focus on water management (WFD, international), but also marine, agriculture, energy policy Focus on water management (WFD, international), but also marine, agriculture, energy policy Economics: methods/policy support and instruments Economics: methods/policy support and instruments But also: Science-policy interfacing in research projects (e.g. ESAWADI – see working group hydromorphology) Science-policy interfacing in research projects (e.g. ESAWADI – see working group hydromorphology)

Implementation of the WFD: when ecosystem services come into play, Brussels, 29& ESA-WFD: opportunities Support answering open issues from 1st RBMP (Economics? Exemptions?) Support answering open issues from 1st RBMP (Economics? Exemptions?) Better understanding of ecosystem functions, roles and interactions (land-sea etc.) Better understanding of ecosystem functions, roles and interactions (land-sea etc.) Good „linking element“ for policy integration: „bridge“ (nature protection, water management, energy et al.) Good „linking element“ for policy integration: „bridge“ (nature protection, water management, energy et al.) Communication: illustrative and understandable (more than WFD!) Communication: illustrative and understandable (more than WFD!)

Implementation of the WFD: when ecosystem services come into play, Brussels, 29& Boring?

5 ESA-WFD: challenges Anthropocentric approach: focus on “what nature provides humans“: sufficient for sustainability in the long run? Existence values considered sufficiently? Anthropocentric approach: focus on “what nature provides humans“: sufficient for sustainability in the long run? Existence values considered sufficiently? Ecosystem services: even if activities putting pressure on the ecosystem (e.g. oil extraction, hydropower)? Do not confuse ESA valuation with “recognition of the value to protect ecosystems” in the policy process! But: „nice wrong numbers“ for benefits… Ecosystem services: even if activities putting pressure on the ecosystem (e.g. oil extraction, hydropower)? Do not confuse ESA valuation with “recognition of the value to protect ecosystems” in the policy process! But: „nice wrong numbers“ for benefits…

Implementation of the WFD: when ecosystem services come into play, Brussels, 29& ESA-WFD: challenges Links between the WFD objectives and ecosystems? Maybe “good status”-WFD but not well-functioning ecosystem & vice-versa? Links between the WFD objectives and ecosystems? Maybe “good status”-WFD but not well-functioning ecosystem & vice-versa? Scale issues: broad-scale (WFD) assessment of ES difficult- expensive, even not useful? Scale issues: broad-scale (WFD) assessment of ES difficult- expensive, even not useful? Measurement: usual issue of „illusion of precision“ when trying to monetize: just the known benefit valuation problems – or beyond? Measurement: usual issue of „illusion of precision“ when trying to monetize: just the known benefit valuation problems – or beyond?

Implementation of the WFD: when ecosystem services come into play, Brussels, 29& Way ahead for 2. RBMP & beyond Scale: ESA supporting: Scale: ESA supporting: strategic assessments (at RB scale?) for balancing policies / selecting policy options and strategic assessments (at RB scale?) for balancing policies / selecting policy options and local (group of WBs?)/specific situations in „hot spots“ with societal conflicts / high ecological threats local (group of WBs?)/specific situations in „hot spots“ with societal conflicts / high ecological threats ESA as focal point in understanding policy links and interactions (e.g. MSFD-WFD) ESA as focal point in understanding policy links and interactions (e.g. MSFD-WFD) Good basis for international understanding and coordination: common language (even beyond EU?) Good basis for international understanding and coordination: common language (even beyond EU?) Clear link of ESA to understanding the „well- functioning“ of ES: don´t just hunt for numbers… Clear link of ESA to understanding the „well- functioning“ of ES: don´t just hunt for numbers…

Implementation of the WFD: when ecosystem services come into play, Brussels, 29& Way ahead for 2. RBMP & beyond CENTRAL: communicate! ESA can help discussing effects of measures/their feasibility (“disproportionality”, Art.4)/acceptance with the stakeholders/the public!  Overall: on content, the ESA does not fundamentally bring new „content“ to modern WFD-implementation – but helps focusing on what is important – and provides a good (necessary!) communication and exchange tool!  ESA is not the “egg-laying wool-milk-pig”…

Implementation of the WFD: when ecosystem services come into play, Brussels, 29& Thank you for listening! Eduard Interwies Kontakt: