1. Cohesion policy and the environment
Luisa Sanches
DG REGIO
OPEN DAYS 2005

2. Cohesion/Structural Funds support to environment
Financial support to investments
Selection criteria
Compliance with legislation

3. Synergies between environment protection and growth
Long-term sustainability of growth
Decrease external environmental cost to economy
Stimulation of innovation and job creation

4. Rationale
Preserving the environmental potential by the use of adequate processes and technologies (everywhere), and improving the environmental infrastructures (in the poorer regions and countries) are relevant factors for growth and jobs

5. Where can environment be found in the guidelines?

6. Governance
Regions are encouraged to develop regional sustainable development strategies, building consensus on the objectives to be achieved through regular and systematic dialogue with key stakeholders.

7. Section on innovation Eco-innovations
Introduction of environmental management systems

8. Section on energy
Renewable and alternative technologies which can give the EU a leading edge

9. Section on transport
Environmentally sustainable transport networks

10. Section on environmental protection and growth
Investment in infrastructure: water, waste, air and biodiversity
Attractive conditions for business
EU Kyoto commitments
Risk prevention

11. Division of labour
The Cohesion Fund should in general focus on infrastructure investments in water, waste and air pollution
The Structural Funds should in general focus on the promotion of environmental management systems, on the dissemination of clean technologies in SMEs and the rehabilitation of contaminated sites

12. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION