European Commission experience with environment mainstreaming: lessons for green economy Thibaut Portevin DG DEVCO, European Commission

2001 Environment Integration Strategy Development of institutional capacities Coherence with other policy areas of EU's work Link to trade, investments and the role of the private sector Sector analysis and guidance Program tools and recommendations: – –Policy dialogue to raise interest / build ownership in partner countries – –Specific references to environment in cooperation agreements with partner countries, – –Use of integration tools such as CEPs, SEAs… – –Attention to environmental performance in M&E work

Typology of environment integration priorities

Implementation of the strategy Preparation of Country Environmental Profiles (CEPs) and Regional Environmental Profiles (REPs) as part of geographic programs Creation of a Help Desk for training, advice and methodological support for environmental integration Training of more than staff and partners Preparation of an Environmental Integration Handbook, published in 2006.

Assessment of progress (based on helpdesk review of program documents) 1.Rapid increase of the use of integration tools 2.Growing number of programs dealing with environment and natural resources in country and regional programs

Assessment of progress (based on helpdesk review of program documents) 3.Mainstreaming in relevant development cooperation sectors needs improvement 4.Policy coherence difficult to assess

Challenges Priority given to environment in the agenda of partner countries remains low Commission usually focuses on 2/3 priority sectors in partner countries. Environment usually among priorities Lack of information on the costs of environment degradation on development and growth The use of environment integration tools remains insufficient, the application of recommendations is difficult References to environment in strategy and program documents do not always lead to budget allocations

Recommendations to stimulate investment in environment The Commission should have a framework...with clear performance indicators and a comprehensive system for reviewing its environmental performance Not everybody is convinced: build the case for addressing environment issues / the transition to green economy Policy dialogue with a larger range of stakeholders to share views on environment integration / GE, build alliances