© Michel Roggo / WWF-Canon Danube Region Strategy Conference, 04 March 2011, Budapest Danube Region Strategy – nature conservation aspects Gábor Figeczky, acting director WWF Hungary

Danube Region Srategy – Nature conservation aspects Preserve the ecological status and ecosystem services of the Danube; Handle the effects of climate change; Social, economic and ecological demands are in balance in all projects; Horizontal aspects

Strategic goals Preserve and develop the status of –Nature conservation –Water management Climate change: mitigation and adaptation Sustainable economic development Co-operation along the Danube Danube Region Srategy – Nature conservation aspects

Ecological values, water management Conservation and sustainable management of Natura 2000 habitats, least human impact possible and man-made infrastructure in nature protection zones; Danube Region Srategy – Nature conservation aspects Plans in line with this principle: ecological restoration along the Danube using Water Framework Directive recommendations; giving more space to the river; restoration of habitats with high conversation value and of protected species populations Plans not in line with this principle: development of navigation route river engineering works other infrastructure projects

Navigation One single SEA for the inland navigation plan on the Danube. Transboundary effects should be assessed with a harmonised, basin-wide methodology Research and development of ships for the Danube river - feasibility studies, build and test prototypes of such ships Sustainable Danube navigation should include adapting the fairway to the natural profile and dynamics of the river, improving information and forecasting systems, fleet modernisation programmes Grasp too much © Barabás, Bényi Danube Region Srategy – Nature conservation aspects

17 August Maintain functioning ecosystem processes (water and sediment flows) socio-economic needs of regional and local economies respected all legal requirements met, –Water Framework Directive: Danube RBMP –Natura 2000 sites mgmt plans Demands for river engineering projects to improve Danube waterway no need for new dams or barrages on waterways which prevent longitudinal connectivity Danube Region Srategy – Nature conservation aspects

Specific issues for Hungary: –Give real alternatives for the Government before any decision – less structural works, narrower navigation route –Cost-benefit analysis – Analysing cost-effectiveness is not enough –Ecological compensation measures are not good solutions - we need more data to estimate the effects of navigation and maintenance of waterways It is never too late to find alternatives

Nature conservation Nature conservation areas to be in a network Common nature conservation principles among Danube countries – common targets of restoration Common vision for preserving biodiversity (based on WWF’s Living Planet Report) Less infrastrucure in restoration works

Presentation to Company Name17 August Water management Common projects for the implementation of WFD Common solutions for floods and draughts Find solution for transboundary effects: –Sediment transport –Water supply, water retention (Szigetköz) –Longitudinal connectivity of dams (Iron Gate) Reducing water footprint

Water quality Reduce nutrient emissions from the agricultural sector. Nutrient waste is a major challenge for water quality and health of ecosystems in the river and the sea. Promote a legislative ban on phosphate containing detergents in Europe. Phosphates have a major impact on the health of river and marine ecosystems, but could be replaced relatively easily and cheaply. Continue investment in sewage treatment.

Promoting a low-carbon economy Promote energy efficiency, particularly in buildings, which account for 40% of energy used, and Promote development of an interconnected, “smart” grid for the region. Increasing the interconnectivity of the regional electricity market is key to the expansion of localised energy production as well as for “smarter” control of demand and decentralised supply. Plan the development of the renewable energy sector carefully and basin-wide, in order to optimise renewable energy production. Danube Region Srategy – Nature conservation aspects

Thank you for your attention!