Greening Europe
BirdLife’s priorities for the Spanish EU Presidency
VOLUME 2 · ISSUE 1 · Jan uary-j
Biodiversity is life. Biodiversity is our life.
une 201 0
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The slogan for the International Year of Biodiversity that is celebrated in 2010 puts into simple words what is at stake. The rapid loss of species and their habitats is undermining the chances of humanity to tackle and come safely through climate change. Currently, terrestrial and marine ecosystems absorb roughly half of the CO2 emissions humanity generates. If we continue to destroy these ecosystems, they may turn from being “climate allies” into uncontrollable emitters of greenhouse gases. Healthy and diverse nature also protects us from storms, floods, and drought that a changing climate will bring. Furthermore, hard evidence is building on the economic values of biodiversity – and the huge costs of inaction. Last but not least, we strongly believe in our moral duty to preserve the beauty of our planet for future generations.
Towards a rescue package for biodiversity
The European Union’s governments are failing to meet their target of halting biodiversity loss by 2010. This embarrassing news comes at a time when Europe once again wants to be seen as a world leader in environmental protection - and at a time when our shaken economy is at a crossroads. 2010 will show whether Europe will follow a destructive “business-as-usual” approach, or whether we can start building an environmentally and economically stable future.
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The International Year of Biodiversity has to mark a turning point for the future of this planet. This requires strong leadership from European Heads of Government, and all relevant Ministers, notably Finance, Industry, Energy, Agriculture, Fisheries and of course Environment. BirdLife offers its full support to the Spanish EU Presidency to meet this great challenge.
Konstantin Kreiser EU Policy Manager BirdLife International European Division
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Implementation of EU Nature Directives needed more than ever 2 Climate change – from negotiation to action
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Boosting renewable energy sustainably
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Re-building the CAP to address our global challenges
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Safeguarding our seas and their wildlife
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Healthy aquatic ecosystems for the fight against climate change 6 SEO/BirdLife (BirdLife in Spain) Spain in the spotlight
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Alejandro Sánchez Chief Executive SEO/BirdLife
BirdLife’s keys to a successful Spanish Presidency The EU must adopt, at the highest political level, a far-reaching and ambitious new 2020 biodiversity target and show credible leadership in global negotiations on biodiversity in 2010. The Presidency and Member States must decide how the EU will ensure its fair contribution to international climate financing, stopping the destruction of tropical forests and strengthening the resilience of ecosystems. The Spanish Presidency, all Member States and the European Parliament should urge the Commission to propose and adopt a strong and sound set of sustainability standards for all types of bioenergy. The Spanish Presidency should ensure that all relevant Council formations have an open debate on the future of the EU Budget, based on the Commission’s Budget Review paper (expected in early 2010). The Spanish Presidency and all Member States should urge the Commission to propose without any delay a strong EU Seabird Action Plan for reducing seabird bycatch for approval by the Parliament and the Council during the Spanish Presidency.
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Houbara Bustard · Chlamydotis undulata · © Juan José Hernández »
“BirdLife expects a highly ambitious, measurable and energising new 2020 target”
Towards a rescue package for biodiversity
Implementation of EU Nature Directives needed more than ever
2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity, during which a stocktake will be made of how and why the EU and the world have failed the 2010 target of halting, or significantly reducing, the loss of biodiversity. At the same time a new 2020 biodiversity target will be adopted by the EU. In January the European Commission is expected to propose such a new target. The Environment Council and Heads of Government, as well as the European Parliament, are expected to discuss and decide on this proposal by the end of the Spanish Presidency. In parallel, the Presidency will also have an important role in representing the EU in the discussions on a new global biodiversity objective and strategy.
Many Member States are still lagging behind in the implementation of the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. The Natura 2000 network of protected sites is still incomplete in some Member States, with the designation of marine sites being a particular priority. At the same time, the proper implementation and enforcement of the EU Nature Directives comes increasingly into focus. It is in the core interest of both nature conservation and economic development that land and water use planning systems and impact assessments guarantee the proper protection and management of the Natura 2000 network. As one of the most important EU Member States in terms of biodiversity, Spain should use the opportunity of its Presidency to promote better protection, management and financing of the Natura 2000 network.
BirdLife expects no less than a highly ambitious, measurable and energising new 2020 target, both at EU and global level. The EU, led by the Spanish Presidency, must show leadership by analyzing the reasons for the failure to meet the 2010 target, accepting its responsibility in the degradation and loss of biodiversity and ecosystems world-wide and making concrete commitments to turn this tide in the next ten years. At stake is not only the survival of species, but our ability to tackle climate change and to ensure long-term human well-being and prosperity. Zoltan.Waliczky@rspb.org.uk Under the Spanish Presidency: To show credible leadership in global biodiversity negotiations, the EU must openly name the reasons for its failure to meet the 2010 target and adopt at the highest political level a far reaching and ambitious new 2020 biodiversity target, underpinned by meaningful commitments for action. The European Commission should make swift progress to develop a biodiversity rescue package of measures, to be proposed in December 2010. All EU Institutions and Member States should take initiatives to highlight the importance of biodiversity and healthy ecosystems in the fight against climate change. · 2
Rastislav.Rybanic@birdlife.org
Under the Spanish Presidency: Member States must urgently move towards completion of their terrestrial and marine Natura 2000 sites. Spain should lead by example and designate its identified marine Important Bird Areas as Special Protection Areas under the Birds Directive. The European Commission should publish the results of the 2009 survey on the costs of financing of the Natura 2000 network and insist on its adequate funding as a key principle of the wider EU budget debate. The European Commission should significantly increase its efforts and resources to ensure adequate implementation of the EU Nature Directives by Member States, including through the use of tools such as site management plans and Strategic Environmental Assessment.
Climate change – from negotiation to action
Boosting renewable energy sustainably
Following the UN Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen in December 2009, the Spanish Presidency will face the challenge of translating the outcome of the international negotiations immediately into further EU policy action. At the global level, the EU must play a leading role in facilitating and promoting the follow-up process of a Copenhagen agreement. Important aspects and procedures still have to be clarified to ensure implementation and ratification of new legally binding commitments for the post-2012 period under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Therefore decisive action is needed to reinforce the EU’s ambition and efforts regarding the reduction of its own domestic greenhouse gas emissions, the development of a comprehensive climate change adaptation strategy as well as provision of sufficient financial and technical support for developing countries.
Under the Spanish Presidency, Europe will be taking key steps in boosting the use of renewable energy. Member States will be preparing their National Action Plans, setting out how they will meet their targets under the Renewable Energy Directive. While renewable energy is essential to safeguard wildlife and ourselves from the impacts of climate change, inappropriately designed or sited renewable energy projects can also seriously damage biodiversity. Such damage is not inevitable: maximising energy efficiency and a strategic approach to identifying appropriate sites for renewable energy developments, including robust use of Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA) mean that damage to the environment can be avoided or at least minimised. It is also essential to ensure that biomass use for heat and power and biofuel use to meet transport targets do not have wider environmental impacts. During the Spanish Presidency, the Commission is expected to propose important legislation expanding sustainability criteria from just biofuels to all forms of bioenergy. In addition the Commission will propose a method of plugging a key gap in the biofuels sustainability criteria, which currently ignore the effects of indirect land use change (ILUC). Melanie.Coath@rspb.org.uk
Carsten.Wachholz@nabu.de Under the Spanish Presidency: The EU Institutions must agree on enhancing the EU Energy and Climate Package: Member States should commit to an aggregate target of 40% greenhouse gas emission reduction by 2020 based on 1990 levels with at least 30% of the effort to be achieved by domestic measures. The Presidency and Member States must decide how to ensure a fair EU contribution to international climate financing, stopping the destruction of tropical forests and strengthening the resilience of ecosystems. The EU and all Member States must address and account for greenhouse gas emissions from all important carbon sources and sinks through sustainable land use policies. The Spanish Presidency should also promote an ambitious climate change policy with the EU Presidencies which follow, to ensure Europe will speak and act with one voice on climate change.
Western Capercaillie · Tetrao urogallus · © Carlos Sánchez nayadefilms.com »
“A strategic approach for renewable energy developments is needed”
Under the Spanish Presidency: The Spanish Presidency, all Member States and the European Parliament should urge the Commission to propose and adopt a strong and sound set of sustainability standards for all bioenergy applications. The Spanish Presidency and Member States should work with the Commission and the European Parliament to adopt legislation incorporating ILUC-related emissions in the greenhouse gas calculation underpinning bioenergy safeguards. Member States should ensure that National Action Plans, drafted under the Renewable Energy Directive, provide for the development of renewable resources that are truly sustainable, respecting the natural values of the Natura 2000 network. b i r d l i f e’s
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“The EU budget should focus on building a low-carbon, biodiversity friendly Europe”
Eurasian Golden Oriole · Oriolus oriolus · © Quique Marcelo »
A modern budget for a modern EU In 2010 the debate on the next financial framework of the EU (2014-2020) will gather momentum. Especially in times of economic crisis the EU has to demonstrate to taxpayers that its budget delivers added value, and that it supports long-term well-being and prosperity. It is beyond any doubt that long-term economic stability can only be achieved if climate change and biodiversity loss are addressed effectively. First results from the groundbreaking study on “The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity” (www.teebweb.eu) clearly show that the costs of inaction on biodiversity would dwarf those of the current economic crisis by far. Against this backdrop there is a clear case for an EU budget that focuses on building a low-carbon, biodiversity friendly Europe, and that replaces environmentally harmful subsidies with incentives for sustainable use of natural resources. Polls show that the environment is one of the top areas where EU action is trusted, and expected, by citizens – a clear opportunity for greening the EU’s budget.
Under the Spanish Presidency: The European Commission should swiftly publish its delayed conclusion of the EU Budget Review consultation that took place in 2007/2008. The Presidency and the European Parliament should organise an open debate in all relevant Council formations and Committees on these conclusions. All EU Institutions must take initiatives to ensure that public budgets do not harm the environment but contribute to sustainable development and resilient ecosystems. The Spanish Presidency should use its extensive Natura 2000 network as a basis for arguing for much better funding from the EU for biodiversity and sustainable rural development.
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Re-building the CAP to address our global challenges Spain will have a key role to play in animating the debate on the future of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), in the run up to a Communication of the European Commission on the post 2013-CAP, expected in the second half of 2010. Agriculture provides pressures but also solutions for some of the great challenges of our time: halting the collapse of biodiversity, mitigating climate change and adapting to its consequences, dealing with the looming water crises and ensuring our long term food production capacity. To address these challenges, the EU must bring radical reform to the CAP, bring it in line with current stated objectives and refocus it on rewarding farmers for the delivery of well defined public goods. While this transition needs to be carefully managed it is time to give the farming sector a clear long-term perspective. Ariel.Brunner@birdlife.org
Under the Spanish Presidency: The Presidency and other EU governments should engage in an open and wide-ranging debate on the CAP objectives and tools, with the aim of crafting a new sustainable policy capable of delivering on EU objectives and ensuring real value for taxpayers’ money. The European Commission should elaborate a bold CAP reform proposal overcoming the current inefficiencies, thus justifying EU investment in agriculture and land management. The Commission, Member States and the European Parliament must put environmental challenges and the need to build sustainability into our food system at the heart of the debate on the future of the CAP.
“Spain should set a good example through action in its own waters”
Spain has put protection of biodiversity and sustainable use of the marine environment amongst the priorities for its EU Presidency. BirdLife International applauds this move given the long neglected status of the European marine environment and the fact that the EU is failing to meet its 2010 target of halting the loss of biodiversity.
Under the Spanish Presidency: The Spanish Presidency and all Member States should urge the Commission to propose without any delay a strong EU Seabird Action Plan for reducing seabird bycatch for approval by the Parliament and the Council during the Spanish Presidency.
In opening the International Year of Biodiversity within the EU, and as a nation with a strong and influential maritime tradition, Spain is well placed to achieve good results through effective and ambitious chairmanship in the Council but also by setting a good example through action in its own waters. To move forward towards more sustainable European seas, the Spanish Presidency needs to broker progress in three key areas: endorse a policy to stop the needless deaths of seabirds killed in European fisheries; advance the discussions on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) by calling for a radical shift towards sustainability; and lead by example in implementing the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive – the key instrument for protection of our seas.
Squacco Heron · Ardeola ralloides · © Dani López Huertas »
Safeguarding our seas and their wildlife
Tatiana.Nemcova@birdlife.org
When discussing CFP, the Council should promote environmental sustainability, call for a radical cut in fleet capacity and ensure that the operational fleet structure is compatible with sustainable fishing. Member States should transpose the Marine Strategy Framework Directive into national law and Spain should use the opportunity to provide forums for exchange of best practice and expertise amongst Member States while involving all relevant sectors.
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“Ecosystem protection and public accountability must be central pillars of water policy”
Lammergeier · Gypaetus barbatus · © Carlos Sánchez nayadefilms.com »
Healthy aquatic ecosystems for the fight against climate change The EU water and nature Directives provide a world-leading legal framework for managing water resources and wetland ecosystems. From this solid base, the EU must reverse the damaging trends of the 20th Century and prepare to meet the 21st Century challenges associated with climate change, such as severe floods and increased pressure on water resources. Unfortunately, water management often still lacks transparency, despite clear EU public information and participation requirements. Narrow technocratic approaches – often vulnerable to manipulation by political, commercial, and agricultural interests - have contributed to the poor state of many EU wetlands and water resources. The first generation of River Basin Management Plans under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) is late, lacks ambition and in many cases fails to tackle the most urgent problems.
Ecosystem protection and public accountability must be central pillars of water policy in the 21st Century, and the Spanish Presidency should show a strong lead in these areas to help prepare the EU for the urgent challenges associated with climate change. Dhowell@seo.org Under the Spanish Presidency: The European Commission should report on progress with Water Framework Directive implementation by June 2010 and publish the most important successes and failures. In the International Year of Biodiversity, Member States should use Water Framework Directive River Basin Management Plans to protect aquatic ecosystems as an essential basis for human wellbeing, wetland biodiversity, and sustainable economic activity. The Presidency, European Commission and Member States should promote the role of specific programmes of wetland conservation, water efficiency, and costrecovery in meeting Water Framework Directive environmental objectives and managing the effects of drought and water scarcity.
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Protecting and celebrating Spain's threatened birds Spanish Imperial Eagle Aquila adalberti, Western Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus, carrion-eating birds…these are just some of the endangered birds which feature in specific SEO/ BirdLife campaigns and conservation projects. These projects combine conservation action, volunteering and community activities with formal collaboration with landowners and public authorities. Recent achievements include better EU regulations to protect carrioneating birds, higher breeding success of the Spanish Imperial Eagle, and habitat improvements for the Capercaillie.
How do EU policies affect bird populations? Like many other EU BirdLife Partners, SEO/BirdLife runs strategic monitoring programmes of common and endangered bird populations, combining thousands of hours of volunteer effort with analytical expertise. SEO/BirdLife increasingly uses this information to assess the impact of EU policies, such as the Common Agricultural Policy or the Water Framework Directive. The role of birds as indicators of global biodiversity will be discussed at a conference of the European Bird Census Council in Cáceres, Spain in March 2010, with a special focus on the impact of climate change on migratory birds.
Volunteering for Nature BirdLife International believes in the active participation of the public in nature conservation, as a way to improve public awareness of environmental problems and their possible solutions. In cooperation with public authorities, companies and other social sectors, SEO/BirdLife mobilises thousands of volunteers every year in bird monitoring, habitat management of protected areas -including National Parks- and environmental education programmes. In October 2009, about 30,000 people in Spain participated in ‘EuroBirdwatch’, an international event to celebrate birds and nature throughout Europe.
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SEO/BirdLife Melquiades Biencinto 34 ES-28053 Madrid, Spain http://www.seo.org seo@seo.org
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The BirdLife International Partnership strives to conserve birds, their habitats, and global biodiversity working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources. This memorandum on the Spanish EU Presidency was produced by the European Division of BirdLife International and SEO/BirdLife, the Partner of BirdLife International in Spain.
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
The Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Sweden
United Kingdom
For further information please contact: BirdLife International European Division Avenue de la Toison d’Or 67, B-1060, Brussels, Belgium Tel +32 2280 08 30 http://europe.birdlife.org europe@birdlife.org SEO/BirdLife Melquiades Biencinto 34 ES-28053 Madrid, Spain http://www.seo.org seo@seo.org
For more information on the BirdLife Partnership visit http://www.birdlife.org/ worldwide/national/index.html
Be informed!!! BirdLife Europe e-news: subscribe to our monthly electronic newsletter at http://birdlife-enews.org/ lists/?p=subscribe BirdLife news: subscribe to our global news, free and tailored to your needs! http://www.birdlife.org/news/subscribe.html Farming for Life Newsletter: receive our biannual Agriculture Newsletter by registering at http://birdlife-enews. org/lists/?p=subscribe Visit our website at http://Europe.birdlife.org
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Editorial Team: Angelo Caserta, Herlinde Herpoel and Alessia Pautasso: comeurope@birdlife.org Credits pictures Greening Europe Spanish Presidency page 5 ©J. L. Rodríguez/European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus ©David González, page 6 Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia and Grey Heron Ardea cinerea ©Carlos Sainz/ Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus ©Javier Milla, page 7 Coal Tit Parus ater ©Carlos Sánchez nayadefilms.com/ © SEO/BirdLife/ Spanish Imperial Eagle Aquila adalberti ©Jose Luis Rodríguez
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This publication is supported by the RSPB, NABU, Vogelbescherming Nederland and is part-financed by the European Union