1. Mathieu Fichter - DG REGIO – D2 Agnes Kelemen – DG REGIO – C1
Nature protection & biodiversity in the current and future Cohesion Policy
Mathieu Fichter - DG REGIO – D2
Agnes Kelemen – DG REGIO – C1

2. Content Biodiversity & nature protection in 2007-2013 Cohesion Policy
Reflexions on nature protection & biodiversity in future Cohesion Policy

3. Cohesion Policy & environment
- 30% of total Cohesion Policy funds
- 3 times more than in (€ 37 billion)

4. Planned expenditures 2007-2013
Investment examples:
Water management: € 22 billion
Natural risk prevention: € 6.5 b.
Waste management: € 6 b.
Biodiversity & nature protect.: € 3.9 b.

5. Share of direct investments within Cohesion Policy funds by MS (2007-2013)
€ 3,9 billion

6. Nature protection & biodiversity in Cohesion Policy
Approach in terms of ‘ecosystem services’:
Direct support (€ 3,9 billion):
Promotion of biodiversity & nature protection,
Promotion of natural assets
Indirect support (€ 19.3 billion):
Waste water treatment = clean river & water bodies
Natural risk prevention = floodplains, wetlands conservation
Rehabilitation of contaminated land
Investments leveraged by national contributions

7. Moors and wetlands protection in Haute Vézère, Limousin, France
Two combined actions:
Local agro-environmental measures (EAFRD): maintain/ enhance open habitats management with local farming partnerships
Interpretation paths for education/tourism (ERDF) on the largest peat bog of Limousin. Successful: more than visitors per year

8. Why is there a role for biodiversity protection in future Cohesion Policy?
Biodiversity policy aimed at protecting the variability among living organisms
Cohesion Policy a development policy aimed at reducing disparities between regions
 Seemingly two separate issues

9. Why would it be good for biodiversity if Cohesion Policy involvement was increased?
We have failed to halt biodiversity decline in the EU
Reasons:
Market failure: the value of biodiversity is not reflected in prices
Failure to integrate biodiversity into other policies
Responses:
Application of the polluter pays principle (Art 191 of Treaty, but Art 192 provides for exceptions: when costs deemed disproportionate for the public authorities of a Member State support from Cohesion Fund can be used)
Horizontal integration of biodiversity into other policies, including Cohesion Policy (biodiversity proofing of investment, minimising harm to ecosystems)

10. Why would it be good for Cohesion Policy if its biodiversity efforts were increased?
Ecosystem services have value
direct contribution to human well-being (tourism, recreation, etc.)
Provision of goods and services (food, water, etc.)
Regulatory role of ecosystems (e.g. climate)
Future options (pharmaceutical value, drought resistant crops, etc.)

11. Future work
TEEB good starting point, makes the economic case for protecting ecosystems (less so for biodiversity)
Change focus of debate (at least towards economically oriented policies) to value of ecosystem services
Active participation in finding arguments to support biodiversity/ecosystem related interventions through Cohesion Policy
Active participation in finding ways to do this (i.e. policy tools)

12. Thank you very much for your attention!