1. DG ENV, European Commission ESA Working Group 9 March 2015
Workshop on the coordinated implementation of Nature, Biodiversity, Water and Marine Policies
DG ENV, European Commission
ESA Working Group 9 March 2015
Brussels

2. Outline
Context
Objectives
Focus of the workshop
Key consensus
Conclusions
Next steps

3. December 2013 joint Nature, Marine and Water Directors' meeting
Context
December 2013 joint Nature, Marine and Water Directors' meeting
Wide EU framework against the background of environmental threats
Coordination possible and beneficial
Existing experiences at various levels
The workshop builds on the conclusions reached during the December 2013 joint Nature, Marine and Water Directors' meeting. There it was recognised that strengthened coordination and cooperation across these policy areas was needed. Work on cross-cutting issues and linkages between these policy areas already took place at national, regional and EU level. This workshop aimed at drawing lessons from these experience and identifying how the work can be taken forward. It is hoped that this will lead to the development of follow-up documents, such as a compilation of case studies, updated FAQ documents on linkages between the different policy areas, and/or a policy paper building on the conclusions of the workshop. The workshop was organised by a preparatory group composed of the Commission (units C.1, C.2, B.2 and B.3, JRC) and some Member States, with NL, BE, FR leading the preparation of the three parallel sessions on thematic areas for coordination : objectives and assessment, monitoring and reporting, and programmes of measures (and public participation), which will also include presentations and case studies from UK and SE.
The workshop focuses on how to improve implementation of existing legislation in its current form through the development of coordinated/streamlined approaches. The workshop brought together participants from 20 MS, representing ministries, agencies, other authorities and stakeholders. The theme of the workshop requiring ingenuity and innovation, it was ran under Chatham House rules, so as to encourage the participants to speak freely of their various valuable experiences.
What was achieved so far : A joint agenda – outcome of joint Directors' meeting, a higher level of awareness, a series of documents and studies (FAQ, pilot projects, etc), a platform for discussion and mutual learning (see workshop), set of case studies which demonstrate that coordinated implementation has multiple benefits, dialogue with certain sectors (e.g. agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries, navigation, ...)

4. Share relevant experiences
Objectives
Improve efficiency
Share relevant experiences
Identify good practices of coordinated implementation
Highlight areas for future activities of joint interest
This workshop aimed at drawing lessons from these experience and identifying how the work can be taken forward. It is hoped that this will lead to the development of follow-up documents, such as a compilation of case studies, updated FAQ documents on linkages between the different policy areas, and/or a policy paper building on the conclusions of the workshop.
Improve efficiency – in the current political context : 7th EAP “Living well within the limits of our planet”; Smart Regulation agenda also under the new Commission – one of the processes to which we want to contribute. The economic crisis and reduced public budgets – efficiency gains for the benefit of all involved. The importance of engaging the economic sectors and society – a dialogue that produces better results.
The knowledge base and innovation agenda – the imperative to gather a better understanding for better decision-making.

5. Objectives and assessment
Focus of the workshop
Objectives and assessment
Monitoring and reporting
Programmes of Measures and public participation
-Rich discussions, valuable results
-Case studies appreciated but need to extract the lessons learnt and essence for the wider benefits (criteria for selection), case studies currently limited to some subjects and few MS (more could be collected)
-Conclusions from each session will be the backbone of the summary report – need to be digested and worked into the conclusions further

6. 2. Develop integrated monitoring programme and harmonise the reporting
Key consensus
Full harmonisation is not possible or desirable yet synergies are at hand
2. Develop integrated monitoring programme and harmonise the reporting
3. Strong added value of coordinated approaches in PoMs
Full harmonisation not possible – studying and identifying comparable areas can lead to synergies and integration. Comparability of assessment scales. Importance of communication (understanding tensions and synergies).
Integrated monitoring programme, harmonising reporting (streamlining monitoring first)
Strong added value of coordination. Joint governance arrangements (for development of PoMs). Building partnerships (across public entities, private companies, land-owners and other stakeholders) – crucial to make the link between economic activities and human pressures (as these links point out the economic incentives). Practical synergies : logistics (timing of consultations, merging of consultations), financial aspects (using national funds in synergistic ways), technical aspects (data collection and spatial coverage for the needs across the different directives).

7. 1. Building a common agenda 2. Continuing the debate at all levels
Conclusions (I)
1. Building a common agenda
2. Continuing the debate at all levels
3. No need to wait before acting
1. Building a common agenda;
2. Continuing the debate at all levels;
3. No need to wait; use the current legal framework for better cooperation and dialogue, take appropriate action with available knowledge, define knowledge gaps together and improve exchange. Moreover
many processes are ongoing and low-hanging fruits exist that can help achieve further developping the agenda :
- Review of MSFD Decision on Good Environmental Status (GES) – building on HBD and WFD
- Streamlining of reporting … (see MSFD and WFD example on Programmes of Measures) – expansion to other directives?
- Take discussions to the regional and national level
- Practical suggestions for CIS/F processes (joint meetings, guidance, planning…)
- Joint Directors meetings should happen regularly

8. 4. Engage sectors and society 5. Positive outreach
Conclusions (II)
4. Engage sectors and society
5. Positive outreach
6. Financing to be discussed
4. Engage sectors and society : Dialogue with sectors and society essential at all levels, Having the dialogue together is important and also learning from past experiences (building on existing processes by maybe extending scope), Priority setting and timing important, Meetings with other departments, eg. Nature/Marine with Fisheries Directors. These processes could be organised around themes :
- Green infrastructure / natural water retention measures
integrated nutrient assessment and management
Fisheries
New developments
Tourism
Ports
Spatial planning (incl. MSP)
Invasive species, pharmaceuticals, etc
development of common knowledge base.
5. Positive outreach
- Bring debate to current political context (eg. Job and growth, …)
- Communication and jointly demonstrating positive progress will be increasingly important
- Use ecosystem services concept as a tool for communication
- Acceptance, public engagement and success stories
6. Financing
-Joining forces can be beneficial in gathering support for financing of environmental measures
- Issues of interest could be
How to organise complementarity of funding instruments
How to develop private sector and other alternative/innovative financing
- Already keep next financing cycle (mid term review and beyond 2020) in mind (possible decrease of public finances for our policies…)

9. Next steps
Summary report available
Final report to all Directors under the LV Presidency
Preparatory group building up towards LU presidency in Nov. 2015

10. Case studies report Q&A papers Improve outreach Other steps?
Collect case studies
Consolidate set of case studies
Identify common findings
Q&A papers
Promote existing Q&A papers
Develop complementary documents
Improve outreach
Develop "Starter's guide" on the implementation of the different Directives

11. More information at : http://europa.eu/!mQ43xv
Thank you for your attention
More information at :