1. ‘Regional Policy contributing to Sustainable Growth in EU 2020’

2. Why now?
Integrate major EU policy initiatives (e.g. Climate & Energy package, Energy performance of Buildings Directive)
Contribute to ‘Europe 2020’ & its pillar on Sustainable Growth (SG)
Build on conclusions of the ‘Strategic report 2010’ of Regional Policy (RP)
Respond to the economic crisis by turning it into SG opportunities

3. Objectives
Align RP with ‘Europe 2020’, particularly the “Resource Efficiency flagship”
Enhance impact of RP on the SG of regions
Help regions to prepare post-2013 policy priorities

4. Proposals to reinforce SG in 2007-13
Enhancing RP delivery of SG in EU regions
Invest more
Invest better
Low-Carbon Economy
Ecosystem services
Eco-innovation
Mainstream SG principles in project cycle
Climate resilience & resource efficiency
Better Governance

5. 1. Invest More

6. 1.1 Low-carbon economy
Further investments in energy efficiency (building sector) & renewables;
Use new possibilities for innovative financial instruments (like JESSICA instrument)
Decarbonisation of transport: invest in clean urban transport t

7. 1.1 Low-carbon economy
The Covenant of Mayors approach: Province of Barcelona & investments in
Sustainable energy plan in 105 municipalities for 4.5 million people (energy efficiency in public building, solar roofs, heating and cooling)
Assistance and coordination to prepare action plans, technical and financial support
Synergy between EU initiatives (20/20/20 energy package, EUROPE 2020, good governance)

8. 1.2 Ecosystem services & biodiversity
Invest in protection of ecosystems & biodiversity as source of economic development
Use EU RP funding for natural risk prevention
Invest in “Green infrastructure”
Flood management along the Tisza river in Hungary
Creation of six reservoirs and relocation of dikes
Cross-sectoral approach, win-win investment on ecosystem services (storage for water irrigation, tourism, leisure activities)
ERDF € 290 million

9. 1.3 Eco-innovations
Develop eco-innovations across sectors: supports resource efficiency, competitiveness and job creation
Support clusters on eco-innovation, particularly through PPPs
Invest in ICT for the green economy through RP funding
Eco-innovation support through clusters, Lower Austria
Foster eco-innovations in all clusters
Close cooperation between the Lower Austria companies, R&D related institutions and public authorities
Combination of ecological challenges and business opportunities

10. Proposals to reinforce SG in 2007-13
Enhancing RP delivery of SG in EU regions
Invest more
Invest better
Low-Carbon Economy
Ecosystem services
Eco-innovation
Mainstream SG principles in project cycle
Climate resilience & resource efficiency
Better Governance

11. 2. Invest Better

12. 2.1 Mainstreaming SG principles in project cycle
SG to be integral part of each step of project life cycle (design to delivery and monitoring)
Making more use of green public procurement (GPP) at regional/local level
Establishing proper indicators for monitoring and evaluation
Checklist for environmental impact assessment of project proposals, Finland
Cross-regional EIA panels to assess whether project proposals are environmentally neutral, beneficial or harmful with standardised checklists

13. 2.2 Climate resilience & resource efficiency
Checking project investments against climate resilience and resource efficiency
Developing regional strategies on adaptation to climate change
The “Enworks” programme, North-West England
Environmental advice, training and support to SMEs to improve resource efficiency and reduce waste
Good practice exchange and development of synergies
Over 3600 businesses benefited; tonnes of CO2 saved; m2 of water saved; over 700 people developed specific skills

14. 2.3 Better governance
Improving governance with enhanced cross-cutting/horizontal approaches to SG
Broadening partnerships and reinforce strategic content of Monitoring Committee of programmes
Encourage more PPPs and innovative approaches to financing
Networking of national/regional environmental authorities’
MS (IT, SP, DE…) have set up networks of national & regional authorities in charge of environment & Cohesion Policy (Managing Authorities) to ensure an improved governance
Civil society & socio-economic partners take part

15. Conclusions Actions COMMISSION Align RP Programmes to ‘Europe 2020’
MEMBER STATES
Align RP Programmes to ‘Europe 2020’
Focus expenditure towards SG
Address structural weaknesses by further mainstreaming SG principles in all operations and using technical assistance
COMMISSION
Promote new financial instruments to leverage resources (EIB and other IFI)
Deploy action through pilot projects, seminars and exchange of know-how
Facilitate mobilisation of technical assistance

16. Sustainable growth and RP: two sides of the same coin
It’s time to engage in a new approach to regional development…
… to strengthen the EU response to the sustainability challenges
RP has a key role in meeting EU 2020 targets…
… and is mobilising funds today for a sustainable tomorrow!

17. Get the documents
The Communication (COM(2011) 17) in all official languages and the Staff Working Document ((SEC(2011) 92)in EN) are at:

18. Many thanks for your attention