Green Infrastructure and Restoration (GIR) – 8th Working Group meeting in Brussels
Published on:
On 31st of January and 1st of February, EUROPARC participated in the 8th meeting of the Green Infrastructure and Restoration (GIR) Working Group (WG) in Brussels.
The GIR Working Group is led by the European Commission (DG ENVI) and includes representatives of Member States and NGOs. EUROPARC is involved in this WG as a member of the European Habitat Forum (EHF).
Objectives of this meeting was to share experiences and visions on
how to develop strategic EU level Green Infrastructure projects
how to integrate ecosystem services in planning and decision-making
How can the ecosystem service approach help protect biodiversity & how to achieve consideration of the non-monetary values of ecosystem services into EU decision-making? View the video by EU Commission DG Environment below, introducing its “Science for Environment Policy” In-Depth Report on Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity.
During the first day, the European Commission presented its recently published technical report on ‘’Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services’’ (MAES). It provides an integrated analytical framework and set of indicators for mapping and assessing the condition of ecosystems in the EU and proves a useful instrument for Member States to map and assess the state of ecosystems and their services in their respective national territories.
The second day was devoted to the wider Green Infrastructure debate, and how EU supports the deployment of EU-level Green Infrastructure through financing instruments, such as LIFE, Cohesion funds (presented by DG REGIO), Rural Development funds (illustrated by DG AGRI) and Horizon 2020 (DG Research and Innovation).
Learn more about EU funding, policies and research related to Green Infrastructure here.
A New Atlanticism – Building Effective Transatlantic MPA Partnerships
Published on:
Last week, 30th and 31st January, EUROPARC Brussels attended the final conference of a promising MPA pilot project, funded by EU: The “Transatlantic MPA Network – Towards a Transatlantic Partnership of Marine Protected Areas” project. Its main objective is to improve the management of Atlantic Marine Protected Areas through effective transatlantic partnership-building, while following a novel, comprehensive concept of Atlanticism.
The international project team consisted of four MPA experts, was led by the president of MedPAN, Purificació Canals and supported by an expert advisory board. Responsible for implementation were B&S Europe, AGRER and TYPSA.
During a funding period of roughly two years the “Transatlantic MPA Network” project went through 2 phases – from scoping the status quo of Atlantic MPA systems to the actual piloting of three twinning projects. While there might not be much novelty in twinning as a form of cooperation, there are novel elements to the twinning design the Transatlantic MPA Network came up with:
the twinning was organized between managers, whereas in its traditional sense twinning rather brings together institutions, authorities or representatives of higher political level.
the pilot partnerships were composed based on a new and more comprehensive concept of Atlanticism – comprising besides European and North American also the South American and African coasts and waters. Following the understanding, that
an actual joint governance of Atlantic MPAs can only work, if the human networks follow the ecological ones, as they were designed by nature.
The cross-border routes taken by migratory species might be one of the most evident examples demonstrating need for a comprehensive Atlanticism.
Project Background and Policy Context
The more comprehensive approach to transatlantic networking of the project corresponds to the growing awareness of the need for a more broadly defined cooperation in the Atlantic basin as it is reflected in different EU documents and initiatives. Such as the European Parliament Report (2013) on the key role of the EU in promoting a broader transatlantic partnership or the EU Global Strategy for Foreign and Security Policy commitment to a more extensive dialogue across the Atlantic.
Besides, the project objectives contribute to the EU Communication on Ocean Governance and support the Union policies designed to halt biodiversity loss and foster climate change adaption.
The EU Marine Directive is also addressed by the project, which explicitly calls on each Member State to establish of a network of Marine Protected Areas, thus contributing to the CBD call for a global MPA network.
Eventually, the project works towards achieving the SDG14 and the Aichi Targets 6 and 11 under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), calling on the signatory parties to protect 10% of marine and coastal areas through effectively managing MPAs by 2020.
Undoubtedly the value of MPAs as an integral tool in the management of marine ecosystems has been recognized by decision-makers at EU and UN levels. MPAs are considered vital to reconcile human activities with conservation objectives, to allow for the safeguarding of the ecosystems as well as for the realization of socio-economic benefits and research enterprises.
The increased keenness on MPA designation is a clear indicator of this notion. However welcome a development, many do lack clear objectives, measures and monitoring. These flaws are what the Transatlantic MPA Network Project set out to tackle.
The project was composed of 2 phases, with Phase I being a compilation of marine conservation practices across the Atlantic, covering MPAs in 64 countries or territories, including coastal PAs and offshore areas. The project team compared ecological and governance characteristics in a scoping study and surveyed MPA managers to identify political commitment, financial strategies, management plans, communication tools or strategies and networking activities. Bearing in mind the restricted time-frame available for the study, it does not seek to cover fisheries, maritime security, or areas beyond national jurisdiction.
Phase II then identified suitable partners to participate one of the three thematic twinning projects with the purpose to explore in close cooperation how effective management can be ensured through sharing good practices and innovations. Intention was to create connections that would last beyond the project life, following the conviction that networking accelerates progress towards lasting, effective and sustainable management. Technical workshops and an online platform were set up to facilitate this process and to support and disseminate the project lessons learned. The pilot twinning projects set up were thematically focused on:
NETWORKS TWINNING: Cooperation and common strategy between MPA networks of managers in the Atlantic region.
RESILIENCE TWINNING: MPAs and coastal resilience, coping with rapid changes.
MARINE MAMMALS TWINNING: Marine mammals’ protection, a way to enhance transatlantic cooperation between MPAs.
Within the 2-day conference, project lessons learned were exchanged in closed sessions amongst the project partners, then followed by presentations and discussions with a broad plenary. Interest in the conference was considerably high and the plenary was composed not only of project partners and MPA managers, but also of civil society and EU representatives versed in the related fields. Among them were Ricardo Serrão Santos (Member of the European Parliament, Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, Committee on Fisheries), Daniel Van Assche (European Commission Service for Foreign Policy Instruments), Ms Hilde Hardeman (Head of the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments), Mr Humberto Delgado Rosa (Director for Natural Capital, DG Environment, European Commission), Mr Ramon Van Barneveld (International Relations Officer at DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, European Commission), Mr Marc Giacomini (Deputy Managing Director, Human Rights, Global & Multilateral Issues, European External Action Service, EEAS).
The EU representatives each emphasized the important role of effectively and coherently managed MPAs across the Atlantic with the Commission explicitly reinforcing its keenness to further support the efforts commenced by the project.
While MEP Santos stated that twinning as a fruitful approach “needs strong political and financial will as well as scientific cooperation”, he brought up that we need a “law of the sea which is guided by shared concerns, connected through our one biogeophysical system”. In his eyes, enforcement is vital.
Mr Giacomini from EEAS highlighted another valuable aspect of strong transatlantic partnerships, namely the peace-securing element to working together for a common cause. He noted, that MPAs are a great opportunity, as they can convey a strong positive narrative of common efforts.
Mr Delgado Rosa pointed to the fact that migratory species simply cannot be managed effectively without multilateral efforts. While acknowledging that they cannot act as “silver bullet”,
MPAs are one essential “puzzle piece” and must be understood and governed as reasonable, properly networked areas.
Project team leader Puri Canals presented the project results and emphasized the vital role of communication tools and strategies in all aspects of MPA management. Communication must be considered key, as all too often similar visions, ideas and overlapping structures co-exist, thus, losing the reach and impact which a well-merged collective of networks could achieve. Therefore, dedicating time to identify existing opportunities, to revive and adapt them in order to build a well-knit network, is a vital step. The Transatlantic MPA Network project took this approach through its scoping study.
Results of the scoping study were presented by the project’s senior expert Jean-Jacques Goussard, who pointed to the issue of terminology, suggesting to speak of Marine and Coastal Protected Areas (MCPA), as it is coastal areas that are currently most severely pressured.
Puri Canals reminded everyone in the room, that a starting point for realizing a large-scale project might simply mean calling up a friend. After all, the quality of human connection cannot be overestimated in the building of a functioning network, capable of bringing together diverging interests and moving forward towards a shared vision.
The final take-away messages left conference attendees inspired and energized to get active:
Managers across the Atlantic are facing the same challenges.
By networking together, documenting good practices, delivering effective management and sharing experiences on what works, it becomes possible to accelerates progress towards lasting, effective and sustainable management of MPAs.
The building of partnerships contributes to peace-building.
The project has now raised a lot of interest and future expectations.
During the closing session several participants voiced their interest to join in the initiatives and proposed to contribute their expertise.
Looking ahead, the European Commission closed the conference by reinforcing they were
confident that we will continue to build on this pilot action (Daniel Van Assche)
and confirmed that EU is considering follow-up action.
Follow the Call for Joint Action by MPA networks to communicate the added value of MPAs to decision-makers at local and national levels and to increase their visibility amongst policy-makers. MPA managers are called on to team up with research institutions and universities, not at least to prove the monetary value and benefit MPAs can deliver to local communities.
Cultural Identity is rooted in the connection to the land and therefore interpretation of natural and cultural landscapes is something inherent in most protected areas of Europe. Whether this be in the form of panels, exhibition in visitor centres or art installation, helping visitors understand their cultural heritage and connect to nature is fundamental to European parks.
On the occasion of the official launch of the European Year of Cultural Heritage, the EUROPARC Federation and Interpret Europe announced a partnership focused on the role of natural heritage to explore cultural identity. The organisations will be investigating new ways on how heritage interpretation can encourage citizens to reflect upon this important relationship.
The webinar will be introduced by Carol Ritchie, EUROPARC Executive Director, and will set the scene on the role of interpretation for the promotion of our Natural and Cultural heritage. We will have a first insight given by Interpret Europe, on how to increase the impact of heritage interpretation, and then look at practical interpretive experience from an Alpine national park.
Throughout the year, members from both organisations will have the chance to work and learn more about this topic in four key events across Europe: • Seminar ‘Natural Heritage as Part of Cultural Identity’ in Siggen, Germany • Interpret Europe Conference ‘Heritage and Identity’ in Kőszeg, Hungary • EUROPARC Conference ‘European Parks: Inspired by the Next Generation’ in Aviemore, UK • Presentation of the key project results at a seminar in Brussels, Belgium
Case Study 1
Maas-Schwalm-Nette Nature Park – left: Theater in the Park, by A.Raedts ; right: Visitor Center, by M. Hectors
Engaging citizens through heritage interpretation?
In 1871, John Muir described interpretation as a way “to get as near to the heart of the world as I can”. Searching for meaning in natural heritage was key, and parks were the cradle of the interpretive approach. But what does this mean in our times? To what extent do the experiences which we encourage and the stories which we reveal in protected areas influence the identity of European citizens? Where are the strong bonds between natural and cultural heritage and can interpretation in parks even help to meet social and political challenges?
Thorsten Ludwig is Managing Director of Interpret Europe, the European Association for Heritage Interpretation. He holds an MSc in Interpretation: Management and Practice and launched Bildungswerk interpretation as the first consultancy for interpretive training and planning in Germany 25 years ago.
Case study 2
(left) Gesäuse National Park, Austria, photo by Stefan Leitner; (right) Martin Hartmann, case study presenter at the Webinar
From theory to practice: Interpretation in Gesäuse National Park
It all started with a 3-hour introductory event. Now, Interpretation is an essential part in trainings, exhibits and panels in the Gesäuse National Park. Martin Hartmann will share how Interpretation is interwoven in the daily work of Gesäuse National Park and the umbrella organisation National Parks Austria.
Martin Hartmann is head of the department for nature and environmental education in the Gesäuse National Park, head of the photography school Gesäuse and president of the VTNÖ (Association for Animal and Nature Photography Austria). As a national park ranger, the forestry scientist and conservation area manager works with Protected Areas since 1996, where he accompanied the development of the Donau Auen National Park.
How to join?
Webinars are open not only to EUROPARC members – but to everyone with an interest in Protected Areas. Participation is free but registration is necessary.
You can join in from anywhere: you will just need a device with internet connection.
This EUROPARC webinar will be held in English and participants have the chance to join the discussion with the invited speakers, at the final part of the webinar.
Previous Webinars
Visit this page to learn about the previous Webinars and download the presentations and webinar recordings.
EU Strategy on Plastic Waste – Paving the Way towards a Circular Economy
Worldwide 85% of beach litter is plastics and health impacts for citizens range from breathing in toxic particles to swallowing microplastics with their food and drinks.
Published on:
On January 16th the European Commission adopted the first Europe-wide strategy on plastics which is part of the transition towards a more circular economy. The aim is to protect the earth, people and economies likewise. Meanwhile, a public consultation is going on until 12 February 2018 on reducing marine litter, particularly from single-use plastics and fishing gear.
Plastics are an omnipresent part of our modern lives – even if sometimes as tiny and invisible as microplastics. We use them to wrap our foods, conserve our drinks, carry blood donations, produce skin-care and store materials.
Plastics, in their various forms, are proven to harm our environment and health, nonetheless, alternatives to using them at a large scale seem to be a long road ahead – with recycling not being considered a silver bullet either. A brief look at statistics clearly shows that transition to real alternative solutions and a more circular use of the material existing is inevitably needed:
Currently, around 25.8 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated in Europe every year – which equals the weight of 3 million grown-up elephants! – while reuse and recycling rates are considerably low (less than 30%).
At EU policy-level there is increasing awareness and acknowledgment of scientific evidence that the excessive use of plastics, which grew a commodity in economy and in our private lives, has significant harmful impacts on the environment and animal as well as on human health.
While health and environmental dimensions are the more obvious ones brought up in the discussions they are not the only ones to be concerned about. The economic sector has a big stake in the debate as well, given the fact that only 5% of the value of plastic packaging material retains in the economy, while the rest is lost after a very short first-use. The annual bill accounts for between 70 and 105 billion Euros. Furthermore, the plastics industry gives direct employment to around 1.5 million people across Europe.
Taking those concerns of international scale in account and having established a single market for goods in the European Union, the issue of plastic waste and pollution is a shared problem that needs a coordinated common action.
How the EU tackles it: Laying foundations to a new plastics economy
In December 2015, the Commission adopted an EU Action Plan for a circular economy. There, it identified plastics as a key priority and committed itself to ‘prepare a strategy addressing the challenges posed by plastics throughout the value chain and taking into account their entire lifecycle’. In 2017, the Commission then confirmed it would focus on plastics production and use and work towards the goal of ensuring that all plastic packaging is recyclable by 2030.
Consequently, on January 16th the European Commission adopted the first Europe-wide strategy on plasticswhich is part of the transition towards a more circular economy. The aim is to protect the earth, people and economies likewise. Under the new strategy, the European Union will make recycling profitable for business, curb plastic waste, stop littering at sea, drive investment and innovation and spur change across the world.
The ambitious objective is to protect the environment from plastic pollution whilst fostering growth and innovation.
Realising the strategic objectives will require to get on board and empowering the private sector (plastic producing and applying businesses) while at the same time mobilising national and regional authorities, cities and educating civil society about their everyday power in reducing plastic waste and refusing microplastic consumption in foods, fibres and cosmetics.
First Vice-President Frans Timmermans, responsible for sustainable development, said: ” This is a challenge that citizens, industry and governments must tackle together. With the EU Plastics Strategy, we are also driving a new and more circular business model. We need to invest in innovative new technologies that keep our citizens and our environment safe whilst keeping our industry competitive.”
EU Plastics Strategy – Key Points in a Nutshell:
Download the European Strategy for Plastics
The Commission has adopted a Monitoring Framework, composed of a set of ten key indicators which will measure progress towards the transition to a circular economy at EU and national level.
Under the new Plastics Strategy, the European Union aims to:
Make recycling profitable for business
Curb plastic waste
Stop littering at sea
Drive investment and innovation
Spur change across the world
Through:
the design and production of plastics and plastic products which fully respect reuse, repair and recycling needs.
developing more sustainable materials and their promotion.
curbing plastic pollution and its adverse impact on our lives and the environment.
Helping to achieve the priority set by this Commission for an Energy Union with a modern, low-carbon, resource and energy-efficient economy.
Providing a tangible contribution to reaching the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.
Public consultation: Your Stake in the Process
Public Consultation: Provide your opinion as input for the preparation of follow-up to the Plastics Strategy in relation to reducing marine litter, particularly from single-use plastics and fishing gear. Everyone is asked to raise their voice: The general public, business associations, companies, researchers and experts, NGOs, international organisations and institutions, fishermen and fisheries organisations.
It’s convenient – you can fill in the online form which is available in all 23 EU languages. Take your chance until 12 February 2018 to contribute to the ongoing public consultation.
Next Steps:
The European Commission will then present their proposal on single-use plastics later in 2018. (Subject to Better Regulation requirements)
The final take-away messages left conference attendees inspired and energized to get active:
