message from reunion island - european...

Message from Reunion IslandMessage from the Conference “The European Union and its Overseas Entities: Strategies to counter Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss”, Reunion Island, 7-11 July 2008

INTRODUCTION 3

THEMESSAGEFROMREUNIONISLAND 4

RECOMMENDATIONS 8

A Howshouldweadapttoclimatechange,increasetheresilienceofecosystemsandreducethevulnerabilityofhumanculturesandactivities? 8

B Economicassessmentofecosystembiodiversityandservices:whatroledoesitplayindevelopmentstrategies? 10

C Whichstrategiesshouldbeadoptedtodealwithinvasivealienspecies(IAS)? 11

D HowshouldtheroleofcivilsocietyinenvironmentalissuesintheORsandOCTsbestrengthened? 12

E WhichstrategiesshouldbeadoptedforsustainabledevelopmentresearchintheORsandOCTs? 13

F WhichpartnershipbetweenORs,OCTs,MemberStatesandtheEuropeanCommissionshouldbeadoptedtopromotetheprotectionofhabitatsandspecies? 15

G HowshouldanenergyrevolutionbeachievedintheORsandOCTs? 16

H HowshouldoverseasmarineenvironmentalchallengesbeintegratedintoEUpolicies? 17

I Howshouldregionalcooperationinecologicalchallengesbestrengthened? 18

J WhichsustainablefinancialmechanismscanhelpaddresstheecologicalchallengesfacingtheEU’sORsandOCTs? 19

K MovingtowardsaworkingplatformonecologicalchallengesinORsandOCTs 19

Table of Contents

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Thisdocumentisavailablefordownloadfromwww.reunion2008.eu

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Theconference“The European Union and its Overseas Entities: Strategies to counter Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss”tookplaceinReunionislandfrom7to11July2008.ItwasanofficialeventorganizedundertheaegisoftheFrenchPresidencyoftheEuropeanUnion.

Inlightoftheincreasingchallengespresentedbyclimatechangeandbiodiversityloss,forthefirsttimetheconferencebroughttogetherrepresentativesfromtheEU’s7OutermostRegions(ORs)and21OverseasCountriesandTerritories(OCTs).TheywerejoinedbydelegatesfromEUMemberStates,Europeaninstitutions,selectedSmallIslandDevelopingStates(SIDS),internationalandregionalorganizations,researchinstitutes,civilsocietyandtheprivatesector.

Theobjectivesoftheconferenceweretwo-fold.Ontheonehand,theconferencesoughttoraiseawarenessoftheecologicalwealthoftheEU’soverseasentitiesandofthethreatsfacingthem;andontheotherhand,itsoughttoproposeaEuropeanpoliticalstrategytorespondtothesethreatsthroughconcreteactionincludingadaptationtoclimatechange,developmentofsustainableenergysolutions,biodiversityconservationandecosystemmanagement.

TheMessage,adoptedbyconferenceparticipants,contains21 proposals aimedattheORs,theOCTs,andtheirregionsoftheworld.Itisstrengthenedbyaportfolio of recommended actions and measures resulting from the 11 roundtables and workshops,inwhichmorethan400peopleparticipated.

Conferenceorganisedby:InternationalUnionforConservationofNature(IUCN)

NationalObservatoryontheEffectsofGlobalWarming(ONERC)RegionalCouncilofReunionIsland

MinistryofInternalAffairsandOverseasandTerritorialCollectives,France

Supportedby:MinistryofForeignandEuropeanAffairs,France

MinistryofEnvironment,Energy,SustainableDevelopmentandSpatialPlanning,France

INTRODUCTION

THEMESSAGEFROMREUNIONISLAND

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ConsideringtheexceptionalimportanceofthebiodiversityoftheEuropeanUnion’s7OutermostRegions(ORs)and21OverseasCountriesandTerritories(OCTs)incomparisonwithcontinentalEurope,andtheirvulnerabilitytoclimatechange;

Consideringalsotheimportanceofthesocialandculturaldiversityofthe28ORsandOCTs,andthefactthatbiodiversityprovidesmanygoodsandservicesrepresentingkeyassetsfortheirsustainableeconomicdevelopmentandthewell-beingoftheirpopulations;

ConsideringfurtherthehighdegreeofendemismandthefragilityofthebiodiversityfoundintheORsandOCTs,inparticularthethreatposedbyclimatechangeandother,ofteninterrelated,environmentalfactorssuchasinvasivealienspecies(IAS),overexploitationofresources,pollutionandhabitatdestruction;

Takingaccountalsothesocio-economicconsequencesandrisksofthesethreats,andtheneedtoprovideenvironmentalsecuritytothehumanpopulations,especiallybutnotexclusively,withregardtotheirfoodsupply,health,well-beingandprotectionagainstextremeweatherevents;

ConsideringthatthemaritimeareasoftheORsandOCTsiftakentogetherarethelargestintheworld;

NotingthattheEuropeanUnionanditsMemberStates,whofacemanysimilarenvironmentalthreats,haveanhistoricwindowofopportunitytovaluetheuniqueassetsandexperienceoftheORsandOCTsandmakeanimportantandpositiveimpactontheirbiodiversityandsustainabledevelopment.

Takingintoaccount:

TheEuropeanCommission’sCommunicationsof26May2005“AstrongerpartnershipfortheOutermostRegions”,andof12September2007“StrategyfortheOutermostRegions:achievementsandfutureperspectives”;

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TheBlueBook“AnIntegratedMaritimePolicyfortheEuropeanUnion”anditsActionPlan,adoptedbytheEuropeanCommissionon10October2007;

TheGreenPaper“AdaptingtoclimatechangeinEurope–optionsforEUaction”,adoptedbytheEuropeanCommissioninJune2007;

TheEuropeanCommission’sCommunicationof22May2006entitled“Haltingthelossofbiodiversityby2010–andbeyond”,aswellastheCouncil’sConclusionsonthesamesubjectof18December2006;

ThefinaldeclarationoftheOCTsattheOCT-EUForuminNuukin2006,atwhichtheyrequestedstrengthenedcooperationwiththeEuropeanUnionineffortstoadapttoclimatechangeandmanageoceansandbiodiversity;

The"overseasterritories"elementofthe“MessagefromParis”on“IntegratingBiodiversityintoEuropeanDevelopmentCooperation”approvedbythe“EUGeneralAffairsandExternalRelationsCouncil”ontheproposaloftheEUFinnishPresidencyinDecember2006;

TheResolutionon“Europeanpolicyandbiodiversityinoverseasterritories”adoptedattheThirdIUCNWorldConservationCongressinBangkokin2004;

TheGlobalIslandPartnership(GLISPA)launchedundertheConventiononBiologicalDiversity(CBD)atthe8thmeetingoftheConferenceofPartiesinCuritibain2006andwhoseStrategywasadoptedatthe9thCBDmeetinginBonninMay2008,aswellastheCBDProgrammesofWorkonIslandBiodiversity,MarineandCoastalBiodiversity,andProtectedAreas;

OtherrecentdecisionstakenbytheCBDConferenceofParties,suchasthoserelatingtoclimatechange,invasivealienspecies,andprotectedareas.

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THE MESSAGE FROM REUNION ISLAND


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Theparticipantsintheconference“TheEuropeanUnionanditsOverseasEntities:StrategiestoCounterClimateChangeandBiodiversityLoss”,heldonReunionIslandfrom7-11July2008:

ExpresstheirdeepgratitudetothegovernmentauthoritiesandthepeopleofReunionIslandfortheirgeneroushospitalityduringtheConference.Moreover,theypaytributetothepioneeringeffortsofReunionIslandinaddressingthetwinchallengesofclimatechangeandbiodiversityloss,inparticularthroughthecreationoftheReunionIslandNationalParkandbysettingchallengingtargetsinthefieldsofsustainableenergyandcleantransport;

ExpresstheirgratitudetotheInternationalUnionforConservationofNature(IUCN),theRegionalCouncilofReunionIsland,andtheNationalObservatoryontheEffectsofGlobalWarming(ONERC)whohavecollaboratedcloselyandeffectivelytodeliverthisfirstground-breakingConferencebringingtogetheralltheEUORsandOCTs,otherislandrepresentatives,aswellasEUMemberStates,Europeaninstitutions,scientists,regionalandinternationalorganizations,andcivilsociety;

ExpressmoreovertheirgratitudetotheFrenchPresidencyoftheEuropeanUnionforitsgeneroussupportoftheConferenceandforincludingitinitsofficialagenda;

Recognizethatbiologicalandculturaldiversityareessentialforsustainabledevelopmentatthegloballevel;

RecognizemoreovertheuniquecharacterofthenaturalheritageoftheEU’sORsandOCTs,aswellasthethreatsfacingthisheritageandthesustainabledevelopmentopportunitiesitoffers;

Agreethereforeonasetofrecommendations,detailedintheAnnextothisMessage,andinviteallORandOCTstakeholders(theEuropeaninstitutions,allEUMemberStatesandinparticulartheFrench,British,Dutch,Danish,SpanishandPortuguesegovernments,theORandOCTauthoritiesandotherconcernedorganizations)toimplementthem,notingparticularlythat:

ThereisaneedtocontinueraisingawarenessabouttheORsandOCTs,especiallyattheEuropeanlevel,inrelationtotheirparticularsituations,theriskstheyfaceandtheopportunitiestheypresent.

Biodiversitylossandclimatechangecannotbeaddressedeffectivelyunlessthelinkbetweenpeople,biodiversityandclimatechangeisrecognized.Thisrequirestheinvolvementofpolicy-makers,civilsociety,scientists,privatesectorandthegeneralpublic.Targetedcapacity-buildingtailoredtotheneedsoftheORsandOCTs,inadditiontosignificantlyimprovedcommunicationbetweenthescientificcommunity,civilsocietyaswellaspolicyanddecision-makersareessentialtodevelopappropriateresponses.ThechallengesofclimatechangeandbiodiversitylossshouldbeadequatelyintegratedintheEuropeanCommission’s“StrategyfortheOutermostRegions”andtheforthcomingGreenPaper,“FuturerelationsbetweentheEUandtheOverseasCountriesandTerritories”.

Theinvolvementofcivilsocietyinenvironmentaldecision-makingintheORsandOCTsrequiresaphilosophicalshiftandnewapproaches,reflectedinpolicyandpracticeattheEuropean,regional,nationalandlocallevels.Thetechnicalcapacityoflocalorganizationsmustbeenhancedandadvocacystrengthened,andtheyshouldbegivenaccesstospecially-designedfundingmechanisms.Moreoverpublicconsultationsshouldbemademoretransparentandaccessible.

TheORsandOCTsshouldbeusedasout-postedobservatoriesforglobalchangephenomenaandtheirimpacts,includingonbiodiversity,aswellastoresearch,pioneerandassesssolutionsinthecontextofsustainabledevelopment,includingonecosystemmanagement,invasivealienspecies,energy,climatechangeadaptationandsoforth.

Moremulti-disciplinaryresearchintheORsandOCTsshouldbepromotedandfundedwithaparticularfocusonthelinkagesbetweenclimatechangeandhumanwell-beingandtherolethatbiodiversitycanplayinthemitigationofandadaptationtoclimatechange.Agreaterexchangeof

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researchbetweenEuropeancountriesandtheORsandOCTsshouldbefacilitated,andtheORsandOCTsshouldbemoreeffectivelyincorporatedintoEUResearchFrameworkProgrammes.

TheORsandOCTsshouldidentifyfromwithintheirownexperienceinnovativeactionsaimedattacklingtherelatedchallengesofclimatechangeandbiodiversityloss,andshouldsharetheirexperienceandbestpracticewiththerestoftheEUandwiththeirregionalneighbours.

TheMemberStatesconcernedandtheEuropeanUnionshouldpaymoreattentiontothespecificchallengesfacingORsandOCTsininternationalnegotiationsonclimatechangeandbiodiversity.

TheEU,theORsandOCTs,ACPcountriesandSmallIslandDevelopingStatesshoulduniteinthefaceofclimatechangeandbiodiversityloss,byactivelyparticipatingininternationalinitiatives,suchastheGlobalIslandPartnership(GLISPA)andtheCBDProgrammesofWorkonIslandBiodiversity,MarineandCoastalBiodiversity,andProtectedAreas.

SpecificclimatescenariosforeachORandOCTneedtobedeveloped,whichshouldbesupportedbyregionalmodelling;subsequentlyclimatechangevulnerabilityassessmentsneedtobeconductedandadaptationplansdevelopedinalltheORsandOCTs,consideringandinvolvingthevarietyofrelevantsectors,andadaptingexistingtoolsandmethodologies.Finally,theproposedadaptationmeasuresneedtobeimplementedandmonitored.

TheEUandMemberStatesshouldmakestrongerreferencetotheORsandOCTsintheforthcomingEuropeanCommission’sWhitePaper,“AdaptingtoclimatechangeinEurope”,andtotheOCTsintheGlobalClimateChangeAlliance,particularlyconsideringtheimpactsonbiodiversityandsocio-economiesaswellastheriskofenvironmentalmigrations.

Alldevelopmentprojectsshouldbeassessedwithregardtotheirsocialandenvironmentalimpacts,attheidentificationandevaluationstages,andincorporatemitigationand

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compensationschemeswherenecessary;fundingshouldbeconditionaloncompliancewiththisrule.Economicvaluationisone(butnottheonly)importanttoolforinfluencingdevelopmentstrategiesanddecision-making.Theprofileofeconomicvaluationneedstoberaisedandeffectiveprocessesforthecommunicationofresultsneedtobedeveloped.ToolsshouldbeappropriateforthespecificsituationofORsandOCTs.

ThequalityandoverallareaofprotectedareasintheORsandOCTsneedtobeincreasedtoaccommodateclimatechangeimpacts.Theecosystemapproachshouldbeappliedoutsideprotectedareas,andthedegreeofthreatfromotherdirectdriversofbiodiversitylossneedstobereduced.

ThereisanurgentneedforEUMemberStatesandtheEuropeanCommission,togetherwiththeORsandOCTs,toestablishavoluntaryschemefortheprotectionofspeciesandhabitats,inspiredbytheNatura2000approach.Thisschemeshouldbeeasilyaccessible,flexible,adaptedtothelocalsituation,balanceconservationanddevelopmentneeds,aswellastakeintoaccountexistingmechanismsandtools.Theimplementationoftheschemeshouldbebasedonlocalcommitmentandsharedfinancing.

Thereisanurgentneedtohighlighttheimportanceofspeciesconservation,includingoutsideprotectedareas.Thepriorityshouldbegiventogloballythreatenedspecies,howeverlocallythreatenedand/orendemictaxashouldalsoreceivedueattentiontoreflecttheparticularvulnerabilityofislandfloraandfauna.Theelaborationofrestorationormanagementplansisonlyafirststepintheprocess;itmustbefollowedbyeffectiveimplementation.

Networkingamongexistingnationalparksandotherprotectedareasisessentialinordertoharmonizemonitoring,buildcapacity,exchangebestpracticesandsharedata.

Currently,environmentalfundsearmarkedforbiodiversityconservationareinsufficient.Aspecificfundforbiodiversityshouldthereforebeestablishedtofinanceconservationaction,fieldsurveyandmonitoringwork,aswellasresearch

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ontheeconomicvalueofbiodiversity.Trustfundsareneededtosecureconservationmeasuresinthelong-term.

TheenvironmentalimpactofinvasivealienspeciestendstobemuchgreaterintheEU’sORsandOCTsthanincontinentalEurope,resultinginsubstantialsocio-economicrisksandadisproportionatelyhighimpactonwiderEuropeanbiodiversity.Campaignstochangeawarenessandattitudesofpublicandprivatedecision-makersatalllevelsarefundamentaltoimprovingpreventionandmanagementpolicies.TheORsandOCTsshouldbefullyintegratedintothefutureEUStrategyonInvasiveAlienSpecies,andtheconsistencyofotherCommunitypoliciesandactionsenhanced.IASstrategiesthatbuildonIASinventories,monitoringandearlywarningsystemsshouldbedevelopedineachORandOCT.

ThevastmarineandcoastalareasoftheORsandOCTsprovidetheEUanditsMemberStateswithanarrayofremarkableandsometimesuniqueecosystems,fisheriesresourcesandemblematicspecies.Theydeservetobepartofalong-termstrategicvisionthatintegratesbio-geographicaspects,requiringspecialattentioninEUfundingmechanismsandpolicies,inparticulartheMaritimePolicy,inordertoaddressthemanifoldanthropogenicstressessuchasover-exploitationandpollution.SuitablemonitoringofthemarineenvironmentonthebasisofacoherentEuropean-widedatabaseisessentialforthesustainablemanagementofnaturalresourcesandthedevelopmentofclimatechangeadaptationstrategies.Thelistingandprotectionofkeymarinesites,regionallymainstreamedIntegratedCoastalZoneManagement,fisheriesstockassessments,aswellasenhancedcontrolandmanagementoflegalandillegalfishingactivitiesarefurthercriticalelements.

TheEUanditsMemberStatesshouldconsiderenergypoliciesasamajorcomponentinthefightagainstclimatechangeintheORsandOCTsaswellasintheirneighbouringregions.Takingintoaccountdifferencesinpopulationlevelsandsocio-economicactivities,strategiesforenergyautonomyshouldbedevelopedforeachterritorybasedonsustainable

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energyconsumption,significantlyreducedgreenhousegasemissions,andzerodirectnegativeimpactonbiodiversity.Eachterritoryshouldseektodevelopanenergymixwhichincludesenergymanagement,developmentofrenewableenergiesandtheirstorage,andmainstreamingofsustainableenergyintourbanplanning.SpecifictoolsshouldbedeployedtobuildcapacityandmobilizestakeholdersintheORsandOCTs,mostimportantlythroughenergyagencies,privatesectorcompanies,trainingandR&Dfacilities,aswellasspeciallyadaptedlegalandfiscaltools.Inthiscontext,intra-regionalnetworkingtosharebestpracticesandconductjointactivitiesiscritical.

Regionalcooperationisnowrecognizedbyallactorsasbothanopportunityandaresponsibility.Manyoftheissuesrelatedtobiodiversityandclimatechangearemoreeffectivelytreatedataregionallevel;regionalcooperationcancreatemanyopportunities(co-development,exchangeofbestpractice,sharingofskillsandresources,economiesofscale,synergies,etc.)whilealsoincreasingthevoiceofORsandOCTsatagloballevel.TheEU,includingasappropriate,theMemberStates,theORsandOCTs,andrelevantinternationalorganizationsshouldthereforecontinuetostrengthentheirinvolvementinregionalcooperationefforts.PoliciesandpracticesshouldfacilitateandsupportsuchcooperationbetweentheORs,theOCTsandtheirneighboursthroughappropriatelegalframeworks,byimprovinginformationexchangeaswellasenhancingtheroleofexistingregionalstructuresandglobalinstitutions.

Actionshouldbetakenurgentlytowardsthedevelopmentofanetworkofstakeholders,inordertoreinforcethelinkagesandofferopportunitiesforexchangebetweenthedifferentactorsworkingontheORsandOCTs.Moreover,thecreationofsuchanetworkwouldallowthepromotionofknowledgeaboutalreadyexistingpoliciesandfinancialmechanisms,thefosteringofthematicinitiativesatthescaleofallORsandOCTs,andtheimplementationoftheMessagefromReunionIsland.Asseveralsuccessfulplatformsexist,avalue-addedmechanismmustbeidentifiedthatoptimizesoveralleffectiveness.

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Cross-cuttingissues

DevelopspecificclimatescenariosforeachORandOCT,supportedbyregionalmodellingandbuildingonEU-backedresearchprogrammeswhereappropriate.Theseshouldidentifythethreatsposedbyclimatechangeandallowforappropriateadaptationmeasures.

ImproverepresentationofORsandOCTsinrelevantinternationalandregionalfora(e.g.UNFCCCandotherMEAs,includingregionalpreparatorymeetings)andenhanceaccesstoglobal,EUand/orregionalfinancingmechanisms.

RaiseawarenessabouttheORsandOCTs,whereapplicableandappropriate.

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Strengthenscience-to-policycommunicationandbuildawarenessamongdecision-makers,theprivatesectorandthegeneralpublic.

Promote“win-win-win”solutions(thatachievesimultaneouslymitigation,adaptationandbiodiversityconservation).

ConsiderestablishingspecificfundingstreamsattheEuropeanCommissiontoaddressenvironmentalchallengesintheOCTs,toavoidthemhavingtouselimiteddevelopmentfunding(i.e.undertheEuropeanDevelopmentFund)forthispurpose.

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RECOMMENDATIONSA How should we adapt to climate change, increase the resilience of ecosystems

and reduce the vulnerability of human cultures and activities?


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Adaptationplanningandrelatedpolicyrecommendations

EnhancethecapacityofORandOCTgovernments,particularlyinrelationtopersonnelandfinancialmeans,torecognizeandrespondfirmlytothechallengeofclimatechange.

ConductclimatechangevulnerabilityassessmentsandadaptationplansinalltheORsandOCTs,consideringandinvolvingthevarietyofrelevantsectors;adaptingexistingtoolsandmethodologiessuchasthoseoftheUNFCCC(e.g.NationalCommunicationsonClimateChange,NationalActionPlansforAdaptation;withthepossibleinclusionasspecialannexestothereportsoftherespectiveMemberStates);subsequentlyimplementandmonitortheseadaptationmeasures.

Takeintoaccounttheimpactonbiodiversityandecosystemservicesofallmitigationandadaptationplanningandinterventions,usingcost/benefitanalyses,longer-termenvironmentalimpactassessments(20-50years),andholisticapproachesthatintegrateandbalanceenvironmental,socialandeconomic/developmentaspects.

Promotevoluntarycoastal-zonemanagementprogrammesforadaptationtoclimatechangeasatooltobuildecosystemresilience,protectecosystemservicesandsecurelocallivelihoods.

Promoteastrongerreferenceto,orinclusionof,theORsandOCTsintheEuropeanCommission’sWhitePaperonClimateChangeAdaptation(DGEnvironment),andoftheOCTsintheGlobalClimateChangeAlliance(DGDevelopment);giventhatthelattercurrentlyfocusesonclimatechangeadaptationinSmallIslandDevelopingStatesandLeastDevelopedCountries,andinviewofthelimitedresourcesallocated,increasethefinancialresourcesbyanorderofmagnitudetoallowtheirinclusion.

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Placegreaterandmorenumerousareas(includingmoreenvironmentallydiverseprotectedareasandaltitudinalgradients)underconservationregimestoachievethesamelevelofbiodiversityconservationoverthelongterm;applytheecosystemapproachoutsideprotectedareasandreducethedegreeofthreatfromotherdirectdrivers(pollution,overexploitation,habitatloss,invasivealienspecies[IAS]).

Researchandmonitoring

Enhanceandcoordinatehigh-qualityresearchacrossinstitutions,andmonitortheimpactofclimatechangeontheORsandOCTs,avoidingduplicationandimprovingcataloguingsystems,promotingtheopensharingofdataandresources,andtheavailabilityoflong-termdatasets(e.g.viatheEU-JointResearchCentre);considertheestablishmentofanambitiousresearchandknowledgefacilityandlocalandregionalprogrammesonclimatechangeandbiodiversity.

Improveintegrationofsectoralinformationsourcesforclimateresearchincludingdatafromoffshoremonitoringstationsandsatellites,andexpandingisland-basedpilotprojects.

Expediteresearchandensureeffectivedisseminationandimplementationofresearchfindings.

Integratetraditionalandlocalknowledgewithscientificresearchandpromotecommunityparticipationandengagementinlocalmonitoring.

Regionalcooperation

Promotelong-termstrategicplanningandalignmentofprioritiesbetweenandwithinregions,buildingontheworkofexistingregionalorganizationswherepossible.

Prioritizeimprovedcoordinationinthefollowingareas:biodiversity,forestry,tourism,coastalmanagement(includingsea-levelrise),marineandcoralreefmanagement,fisheries,sustainableenergy,foodsecurityanddiseasecontrol.

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Recommendations

Integratetheeconomicvaluationofbiodiversityandecosystemservicesintotheassessmentofalldevelopmentprojects,programmesandpoliciesaffectingtheORsandOCTs.

Usepragmatic,practicaltechniquesappropriatetoORandOCTconditionsforeconomicvaluationandassessmentatprojectandprogrammelevels.

Contributetointernationalenvironmentaleconomicsexercises(e.g.thesecondstageofthestudyonTheEconomicsofEcosystemsandBiodiversity[TEEB]).

Improvecommunicationto,andamong,stakeholdersanddecision-makers,highlightingthelinkagesbetweenpoverty,biodiversity,ecosystemservicesandclimatechange,includingtheneedtointegratebiodiversityconsiderationsintothedevelopment-aidprocessand,whereappropriate,NationalPovertyReductionStrategiesandPlans(NPRS).

Ensuregoodscientificresearchdataarecollected,includingbygovernments,andintegratedintogeo-referenceddatabasesthatlinksocio-economicdataandecologicaldata.

OffertrainingandnetworkingopportunitiestailoredtotheneedsoftheORsandOCTs,inparticularforthoseislandsandothercountrieswithlimitedcapacity;networkingshouldbepredominantlypromotedamongORsandOCTsandotherislandsandterritorieswithintheirregions,whichsharesimilarchallenges.

Coordinatewithotherpartners,inparticularinternationalfinancialinstitutions(suchastheWorldBankandotherRegionalDevelopmentBanks)toensuretheinclusionofbiodiversityconsiderationsinprojectsandprogrammesfundedforthebenefitofsmallislands.

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Specificprojects

Evaluateoptionsforcompensatinglossesofbiodiversityandecosystemservicesresultingfromdevelopmentprojects.OutputsofthestudymaybeusedasmaterialtosupportthedevelopmentofanewEUregulation.

EstablishregionalpilotprojectsinORsandOCTstobuildcapacityintheuseofeconomicvaluationandassessment,andtheirincorporationinnaturalresourceandbiodiversitypolicyanddecision-making.Inparticular,pilotprojectsshouldinvolveeconomicvaluationofwatersheds,coralreefs,mangroves,forestsandotherecosystems,aswellasassessmentoftheeconomicimpactofinvasivespeciesandunsustainablenaturalresourcemanagementpractices.Thepilotprojectswilldevelopmethodologiesandtrainingactivitiesandenabletransferoflessonslearnttootherislandsandregions.Theprojectswillalsoassessthefeasibilityofusingbenefit-transfertechniquesaspartofthedevelopmentofbestpracticesineconomicvaluationandassessment.

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B Economic assessment of ecosystem biodiversity and services: what role does it play in development strategies?


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Recommendationstoallstakeholders

Raisingawarenessandchangingattitudesofdecision-makersatEU,nationalandlocallevels,industryandcommercialstakeholders,andthepublicisfundamentaltotacklingIASproblemsintheORsandOCTs.TargetedcommunicationcampaignsneedtodemonstratehowIASpreventionandcontrolareintegralpartsofbiodiversityconservationandbringlastingbenefitstocommunitiesandtheeconomybysafeguardingecosystemservicesandfunctions.

Strengtheninginter-regionalandintra-regionalcooperationandcapacityisessentialfortimelyandcost-effectiveaction.Wherepossible,thisshouldbuildonexistingregionalmechanismsandpracticaltoolssuchasthosedevelopedbytheGlobalInvasiveSpeciesProgramme.Informationsharingtoanticipatenewthreats,alertneighbouringterritoriesofnewincursionsandprovidetechnicalsupportshouldbeseenasakeyelementofEUandregionalsolidarity.

ComprehensivepreventionpoliciesforORsandOCTsshouldbealignedwithlegislationonexternaltradeandinternalmarketregulations,andcoverimports,exports,managementofintroductionpathways(includingtrade,shippingandaviation)andinternalintroductions(includinginter-islandandmainland-islandmovements).

SpecificrecommendationsaddressedtotheEuropeanCommission

FullyintegratetheORsandOCTsinthefutureEUStrategyonInvasiveAlienSpeciesandensurecoordinationandconsistencyacrossallapplicableCommunitypoliciesandactions.

FortheORs,urgentlydevelopstrictlegalmeasuresconsistentwithArticle30oftheTreatytopreventIASintroductionsdamagingtoislandbiodiversity(e.g.throughuseofadaptedspecies-listingtechniques).

SupportthedevelopmentofinterlinkedIASinventories,monitoringandearlywarningsystemsinallORsandOCTs,buildingonprecedentssuchasDAISIE(DevelopingAlien

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InvasiveSpeciesInventoriesforEurope)andcoveringterrestrial,freshwaterandmarineecosystems.

Supportcoordinatedresearchtoinformplanninganddecision-making(e.g.riskanalysisthatincludesconsiderationofclimatechange,applicationofenvironmentaleconomicanalysistoactivitiesinvolvingriskofintroductionorspreadofIAS,cost-benefitanalysistoidentifyIAScontrolprogrammesthatdelivermaximumconservationbenefitforminimumcost).

MainstreamIASconsiderationsintoallrelevantfundingmechanisms:inparticular,strengthenfinancialsupportforIASprevention,rapidresponseandlonger-termcontrolandrestorationprogrammes,andenablefundingofprogrammescoveringwholebio-geographicregions(whichcouldincludenon-EUcountriesorterritories).

SpecificrecommendationsaddressedtoMemberStatesandlocaladministrations

DevelopanIASstrategyforeachORandOCT,supportedbycross-sectoralcoordinationarrangementsandfullstakeholderinvolvement.

Strengthenthelegalframework,humanresourcesandassociatedequipmentandinfrastructurenecessarytoensureeffectivebordercontrol,includingtaxonomiccapacity.

Integratemeasurestoenhanceecosystemresilienceintosectoralplansandinstrumentsthatimpactonterrestrialandaquaticecosystems,avoidingtheuseinlandscapingandotherland-managementprogrammesofspeciesknowntobeinvasiveinsimilarenvironments.

PrioritizetheamendmentordevelopmentoflegislationtoprovideastronglegalbasisforeradicationorcontrolofexistingIAS,includingferalanimalpopulationsandstrayanimals,anddevelopcollaborativeproceduresandinformationmaterialstoaddressconflictsofinterest.

Takeurgentstepsto(re)createsanctuariesforthreatenedspeciesinsmallislandswhereitisstillconsideredfeasibletoeradicateintroducedanimalsandplantstosafeguardgloballyuniquebiodiversity.

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C Which strategies should be adopted to deal with invasive alien species (IAS)?


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RecommendationstotheEUandnationalagencies

StrengthenandexpandtheparticipationofcivilsocietyinEuropeanpolicyanddecision-makingprocesses.

DesignEUfundingmechanismsandinformationstrategiesthatareaccessibletoawiderrangeofcivilsocietyorganizationsintheORs,OCTsandSIDSandrespondbettertotheneedforlong-termactiontoaddressthemajorenvironmentalandclimatechangeissues;suchmechanismsandstrategiesshouldinclude:

improveddisseminationofinformationaboutfundingopportunitiesintroductionofsmall-grantfundingsimplifiedapplication,administrativeandreportingproceduresprovisionofbettersupportforoperationalandadministrativecostsintroductionoflong-termfinancingmechanismsbroadenedeligibilitycriteriatoincludetraditionalandindigenousformsofcivilsocietyorganisation.

Recommendationstonationalagencies

FacilitatetheimplementationofEUpolicyandfundingmechanismsinamannerthatsupportscivilsocietyinvolvementthrougheffectivecommunication,technicalsupportandfairandtransparentallocationprocedures.

Improve,whereappropriate,thetransparencyandeffectivenessofpublicconsultationsintheORsandOCTsthrough:

moresystematicprocessesforidentifyingandcommunicatingwithstakeholders,moreeffectivefacilitationofcivilsocietyinputs,includingthoseofindividualsnotassociatedwithaformalorganisation,widespreaddisseminationofthefindingsofpublicconsultations,andfullconsiderationoftheoutcomesoftheconsultations;

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D How should the role of civil society in environmental issues in the ORs and OCTs be strengthened?

Ensurethatcivilsocietyorganizationshaveaccesstotheinformationtheyneedtoperformtheirroleeffectively,suchasregularinformationabouttheprocessesandoutcomesofinternationalandintergovernmentalmeetingsandagendas.

RecommendationstocivilsocietyorganizationsintheORsandOCTs

Enhancetechnicalcapacityandstrengthenadvocacythrough:

developmentandenhancementofnetworksofcivilsocietyorganizationsatthelocal,regional,nationalandEuropeanlevelsdevelopmentofstrategicalliancesandpartnershipsbetween:

non-governmentalorganizations(NGOs)andresearchinstitutionscivilsocietyorganizationsandtheprivatesectorlocalcivilsocietyandinternationalorganizations

continuouslyupgradingtechnicalskillswithincivilsocietyorganizationstoenableeffectiveadvocacyandpartnershipforimplementationensuringthatsystematiceffortsaremadetointegrateandcommunicatewiththefullrangeofenvironmentalstakeholders..

Recommendationstoallactors

Design,providefundingforandimplementprojectsaimedatdrawingonanddisseminatinglessonsandgoodpracticerelatedtotheparticipationofcivilsociety,atalllevels.

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Institutional,financialandtoolboxneeds

Establishlong-termmonitoringprogrammesaswellasbiologicalandsocio-economicindicatorsadaptedtotheconstraintsspecifictotheORsandOCTs,tomeasure,modelandpredicttheimpactofglobalchangeonecosystemsandsocio-economicdevelopment.Makethisdatawidelyaccessibleandusable(compatibledatabasesandcollaborativeinternetportals).

OrganizecoordinatedresearchintotheimpactofclimatechangeonbiodiversityintheORsandOCTs.

PromoteandfunddialogueandcollaborationbetweenORandOCTresearchprogrammes(e.g.NetBiome)andsimilarinitiativesdesignedtoestablishresearchprioritiesattheinternationalandregionallevel(e.g.SIDSUniversityConsortium).

Secureaccommodationfacilitiesandadministrativesupport(harmonizedlegislativeframeworkstofacilitateworkpermits,visaswherenecessary,etc.)tofacilitateexchangesbetweenresearchers,inparticularbetweentheORsandOCTs,andbetweentheseandEuropeancountries.

Developcommonprotocolsforconductingresearchandcommunicatingresearchfindingstotheterritoriesandcommunitiesstudied

Developthehumanresourcesrequiredforresearchprogrammesandthefightagainstandadaptationtoclimatechange.

Improvecooperationandexchangewithallrelevantstakeholdersactiveinthefield(localpopulations,naturalists,NGOs,students,protectedareamanagers,etc.).

IncorporateORsandOCTsmoreeffectivelyintoEUframeworkprogrammesandensurethatEUfundingstreamscanbeeffectivelyaccessedtoimplementpriorityresearchintheORsandOCTs(determineregionalcontactpointsforORsandOCTs,representationinprogrammecommittees,specificfunds,etc.).

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E Which strategies should be adopted for sustainable development research in the ORs and OCTs?

Theoverarchingrecommendationistosignificantlyincreasetheamountandscopeofresearchconductedonbiodiversityconservation,climatechangeadaptationandsustainabledevelopmentintheORsandOCTs.Further,moredetailedrecommendationsinclude:

General

DevelopacomprehensiveapproachtowardstheresearchchallengesintheORsandOCTstoensurethatactivitiesimplementedatthelocalandregionalscalesareconsistent.

Promotethemobilizationofcivilsocietyrepresentativesbyinvolvingtheminthedevelopmentofresearchprogrammes.

Communicateresearchfindingsmoreeffectivelytopolicy-makersandcivilsociety,notlimitingthesetopublicationinscientificjournals;createappropriatefundingmechanismsinsupportofthisgoal.

Translatetheresearchresultsintopolicy,particularlyinrelationtospatialplanningandeconomicdevelopment.

Ensurethatsupra-regionalpolicies(States,EU,internationalconventions)reflecttheneedsoflocalpopulationsanddonothavenegativeconsequencesonlocalecosystems.

OptimizeresearchconductedintheORsandOCTsbyfosteringsynergiesandcomplementarities,inordertoovercomethedisadvantagesarisingfromtheirisolation,fragmentationandoftensmallsize.

EnsurethatpublicpoliciesgeneratetheresearchmeansandresourcesnecessarytofightandadapttotheimpactofglobalenvironmentalchangeintheORsandOCTs.

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Specificresearchneeds

Undertakein-depthstudiesintotheimpactsofglobalchangeonthebiodiversityandlocaldevelopmentofeachORandOCT.

Urgentlyundertakeresearchandconservationactionsonthemostvulnerableecosystems(insularmountains,coastsandreefs,ArcticandsubAntarctic).

DevelopcommonmethodologiesformonitoringclimatechangeandbiodiversityinORsandOCTs.

Conductinterdisciplinaryresearchintotheroleofbiodiversityasanindicatorofandadaptationfactortoglobalchange.

Conductresearchtodeveloptoolsandmethodsforbiodiversityconservationandmanagement.

Conductlong-termmultidisciplinaryresearchintotheinteractionsbetweenhumansocieties,naturalecosystemsandexploitedlandsexposedtoclimatechange.

Developalarge-scaleresearchprogrammemobilizingallthestakeholdersconcernedbyORsandOCTs,takingintoaccountthecharacteristicsofthedifferentterritories,toproposeglobalanswerstoenvironmentalchange.

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Recommendationsforthecreationofavoluntaryschemefortheconservationofhabitatsandspecies

Thefirstapproachshouldlookatahigherbio-geographicallevel,subsequentlytobeadaptedtolocalconditions.

Theschemeshouldallowforcontracttoolsaswellasforregulatoryapproaches;existingtoolsshouldbeutilized(e.g.IUCNorCBDapproaches).

Natura2000shouldbeusedforinspiration,butnotnecessarilyviewedasamodelfordirectapplication.

Theschemeshouldbebasedonselectingsitesofparticularinterestratherthanspecificprotectedareas(butthosealreadyexistingmaybepartofthescheme)andbebasedonscientific,andifappropriate,ethicalcriteria;criteriaforselectionofsitesshouldtakeintoaccountthehighlevelofendemismaswellasrepresentativenessofhabitatsandspecies;siteselectionshoulduseprovenmethodologiessuchasBirdLife’sImportantBirdAreas(IBA)orConservationInternational’sKeyBiodiversityAreas.

Theschemeshouldtakeintoaccountrelevancetoislandsandspecificallysmallislands.

Anyfinancialschemeshouldbeeasytoaccess(viaknowledge-basedinformationsystems);accessible,clearlyidentifiedcontactpointsinBrusselsareneeded.

Localauthoritiesplayamajorrolebothinenteringtheschemeandinitslocalimplementation;voluntarycommitmentbylocalauthoritiesiskeytosuccess.

Civilsocietyshouldparticipateinthescheme.

Thereisaneedforcapacitybuilding.

Theschemeshouldallowforbroaderregionalcollaboration(outsideofORsandOCTs).

Itmusttakeintoaccountthelackofdata;thisshouldnotpreventitsimplementation.

Theschemewouldbenefitfromtheexistenceofacoordinationbodyormechanism.

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SpeciesConservation

CoherentuseofRedListsatdifferentscalesisimportanttodefinepriorities,andtheregularupdatingofRedListsisakeyissue.

Fundingiskeytoimplementation.

Betteruseofexistingstudiesandmethods(IUCNandothers)isvital.

IASmanagementisanimportantpartofthestrategy.

Aspecialapproachisneededformigratoryspecies.

Alongwithdefiningprotectionplans,thereisastrongneedforenvironmentaleducationaccompaniedbythenecessarycontrols.

Speciesandtheirdistributioncanbeusedasindicatorsofclimatechangeimpactsandforidentifyingpotentialfuturerefuges.

ThespeciesapproachisalsoawaytoreinforcecooperationbetweenORsandOCTs.

TheEUandMemberStatesshouldnotonlyrepresenttheORsbutalsotheOCTsininternationalforaforspeciesprotection(CITES,CMS,etc.).

Networkingamongexistingnationalparksandotherprotectedareas

Allprotectedareasshouldbegivenanopportunitytojointhenetwork,notonlynationalparks.

Specialattentionshouldbegiventosmallislands.

Thenetworkmustbesustainable(hencenottooambitious).

Capacitybuildingformanagersisakeyissue(especiallyinsmallislands).

Networkingshouldbethematicallyratherthangeographicallyoriented.

Networkingcouldbeintegratedinthevoluntaryscheme.

Networkingcouldallowmonitoringofclimatechangeimpactsonbiodiversity.

MoreattentionshouldbegiventothedevelopmentofalegalframeworkforNationalParks,whereappropriate.

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F Which partnership between ORs, OCTs, Member States and the European Commission should be adopted to promote the protection of habitats and species?


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Recommendations

Undertakeassessmentsoftheenvironmental,socialandeconomicimpactsofallproposedORandOCTenergystrategies.Globalwarmingisanelementthatshouldbeconsidered.OtherissuesincludethedevelopmentofenergysolutionsappropriatetothepopulationandincomelevelofORsandOCTs,accesstoelectricity(developmentofislandgrids),securingtheneedsofthepopulation,jobcreationandenvironmentalcosts.

Involvelocalelectriccompaniesorrelevantenergyprovidersinanambitiouspolicyofdevelopingrenewableenergieswithzerogreenhousegasemissions(e.g.covering,wheretechnicallyfeasible,50%ofelectricityneedsbycleanenergyby2020)andnonegativeoverallimpactonbiodiversity,whilesimultaneouslyaddressingelectricityconsumption(includingdomestic,business,andtourismusage)inordertoachieveenergyefficiency.

Adaptlocalregulationsandurbanplanningprojectstotakeaccountofenergychallenges:forexample,thermalregulationinbuildingstoaffordbetterenergy-efficiencybyusingmeasuressuchassolarwaterheating,wall-insulation,loft-laggingandtripleglazing.Establisheco-neighbourhoodsand/orindustrialeco-zonesthatuseintegratedapproachesthattakeintoaccounttheenergydimensiontogetherwithlandtransportneeds.

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Putinplacelong-termfinancialschemesinvolvinggovernmentsandlocalfinancialinstitutions(developmentagencies),aswellasEuropeanfinancialinstitutions(EuropeanInvestmentBank)withsoftloansadaptedtoneeds,andinvestmentfundsforreinforcinglocallysourcedfunds(privateequity).Regardingthepopulations,subsidiesorfiscalmechanismscanassistinsharinggoodpractice.Therewillbelargeimpactsonthebuildingsector(bothnewandrestored)andtransportsector(promotionofsustainablepublictransport).Loweringthecostsofenergy-efficientsolutionswillrequireeconomiesofscale.

Selectaninstitutionalframeworkcapableofrespondingtothechallengesposedbyclimatechangeandenergyconsumptionusingworkinggroupsmobilizedwithalonger-termperspectiveaswellasforactioninthemediumterm(2010–2015),givingprioritytothetransferofbestpracticesandtechnologies;specializedagencies(“energyefficiencyunits”)dedicatedtotheimplementationofactionsinthefieldofenergyefficiencyandthemanagementofenergyconsumptionmustbeestablishedwithinministriesorelectricitysuppliers.Connectingtheseagenciesmayprovideasolutioninthesearchformaximumeffectiveness(sharingofexperience).

Facilitatenetworkinginislandregions(e.g.cooperationprogrammesintheIndianOcean)tosharebestpracticesandconductjointactivities(e.g.trainingofseniormanagement,researchfacilities).Energyobservatoriesalsoofferpossibilitiesforcollaboration(developmentoftools,monitoringofactionplans).

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G How should an energy revolution be achieved in the ORs and OCTs?


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Recommendations

Definealong-termstrategicvisionthatintegratesbio-geographicaspects,viakeyEUfundingmechanismsandpoliciessuchastheORStrategy,theOCTAssociationclauseandtheEUMaritimePolicy,thatreflectsthegreatimportanceofthemaritimeareasintheORsandOCTsandtheecosystemservicestheyprovide.

Establishandfinanciallysupportaneco-regionalapproachtoprioritizeconservationactions(researchandmanagement)intheORsandOCTsthatwillactivelyengagelocalcommunities,fishermen,andNGOs(e.g.byreinforcingthePOSEIFisheriesProgrammewithanotheronMarineBiodiversity).

Designaspecificinstrumentortooltobuild,manageandprotectarepresentativenetworkofkeycoastalandmarinesitesintheORsandOCTs,complementingtheexistingMarineDirective.SupporttheconservationworkoflocalNGOs.

FullyincorporateIntegratedCoastalZoneManagementasafundamentalaspectofregionalpolicyinislandentities.

EstablishaspecificprogrammeontheintegratedmanagementofcoastalzonesandmarineareasfortheORsandOCTs,bycreatingajointforumtosharebestpractices,developtoolsandpilotprojectsonintegratedplanning.

Increaseresilienceofmarineecosystemsbyaddressinganthropogenicstressesthatwillreducepollution,organicmatterinput,andextractiontolimiteffectsofclimatechange.

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Reachoutmorestronglytothewiderpublic,inordertoraiseawarenessabouttheimportanceoftheORs’andOCTs’marineareas.Communicatethevaluesandchallengesinherenttotheconservationofoverseasterritoriesandsmallislandstates.Raiseawarenessthrougheducation,training,andbyworkingwithNGOs.

Reinforceregionalcooperationthroughdevelopmentandregionalpolicies.

Promotetheestablishmentofagovernancemechanismthatenhancestheinvolvementoflocalcivilsocietyandtheprivatesector;establishregionalmechanismsfordialogueamongdifferentsectorsandstakeholdergroupstoenhancethecoherenceofmaritimeandcoastaldevelopment(e.g.tourism,aquaculture,shipping,fisheries,energy,etc.).

EnsureappropriateconsiderationintheRedListsofemblematicmarinespeciesintheORsandOCTs,recognizingthatmigratorymarinespeciesinparticulararealsopresentinotherjurisdictionsandwillrequiretheEUtoworkinabroadercontext.

EnhancecoordinationandcoherenceofthedifferentEUbudgetlinesatthepoliticallevel,withcleardefinitionsofobjectives.

Inviewoftheproliferationofdifferentcertificationandeco-labellingschemes,fostergreaterintra-regionalandinter-regionalcooperationinordertonegotiateandadoptacommonapproach.

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H How should overseas marine environmental challenges be integrated into EU policies?


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EUCommonFisheriesPolicy,andthesustainablemanagementoffisheriesresources

Conductstockassessments,asakeyelementinsustainablefisheries,focusingondeepseaspeciesaswellasonmigratory,exotic,demersalandpelagicspecies.Researchanddatacollectionshouldbecoordinatedattheregionallevel.

Adoptabio-geographicapproachtofisheriesresourcesmanagement.

Undertakeenvironmentalimpactassessmentforallnewfisheriesandaquacultureoperations.

IncreaseparticipationofORsandOCTsintheEUdecision-makingprocessesonfisheries.

StrengthencapacitybuildingintheORsandOCTsforenhancednegotiationandparticipationintheRFMOs(RegionalFisheriesManagementOrganizations)andsimilarmechanisms.

Raiseawarenessofcivilsocietyofthechallengesoffisheriesmanagement.

ConsiderthecreationofonecentralorseveralRegionalAdvisoryCouncils(RACs)forORs,andexploreoptionstointegraterepresentationfromand/orissuesofrelevancetotheOCTs.

Reinforceorestablishamultilateralapproachforcontrolofillegal,unregulatedandunreported(IUU)fisheriesandregionalcooperationforsurveillanceandcontrol;considerextendingtheveryeffectiveEU-fundedprogrammeforcontroloffishingactivitiesintheIndianOceantootherregions.

ExtendtherecentlyadoptedEUbanonlandingsofillegallycaughtfisheriesproductstothoseORsandOCTswhereitdoesnotyetapply.

Establishpoliticalandfinancialsupportforlocalsmall-scalefisheries.

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Recommendations

TheEUanditsMemberStatesshouldfacilitatenetworkingandcollaborationby:

promotingorcreatingappropriatelegalframeworksthatallowfortheparticipationofORsandOCTsinregionalprogrammesprovidingopportunitiesforexchangeofinformationandexperienceonaregularbasis,includinglow-costcommunicationsystemsworkingwithandstrengtheningexistinginstitutionsandprocesseswithinregions.

TheEUanditsMemberStatesshouldensurethattheirtoolsandcompetencies(centresofexcellence,financialmechanismsandothers)aremadeavailabletotheirpartnerswithinregionsbycommunicatingmoreeffectively.

Processesofregionalcooperationshoulduseandbuildexistingexpertiseandfacilitatetheexchangeofexperiences,skillsandresources.

Regionalcooperationshouldbebasedontheformulationofregionalpriorities,andactorsshouldcommunicatethesetopotentialsourcesofsupport.

Researchandacademicinstitutions,civilsocietyorganizationsandtheprivatesectorshouldplayafullroleinregionalcooperationbybuildingandpromotingpartnership.

Allactorsshouldtakeadvantageoftheopportunitiesofferedbyglobalinstitutionsandinitiatives,suchasGLISPAandIUCN,thathavedemonstratedtheircapacitytocreatenewsynergiesandlinkages.

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I How should regional cooperation in ecological challenges be strengthened?


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RequesttheEUtoworkcloselywithMemberStatesaswellaswithORandOCTstakeholderstoachievethefollowing:

Establishmentofadedicatedfundforbiodiversityconservationtoofferadditionalfinancialsupportforconservationmeasures,fieldsurveysandmonitoringofbiodiversity,aswellasforresearchontheeconomicsofecosystemservicesforpublicbenefitinordertopersuadedecision-makersofitsimportance.

ReviewofexistingfundingstreamsavailablefortheORsandtheOCTsandtheirallocationcriteria,withtheaimofincreasingtheirenvironmentalsustainability.

Environmentalandsocialimpactassessmentsofalldevelopmentprojectsandprogrammesattheidentificationandevaluationstages(conditionoffunding)sothattheytakefullaccountofenvironmentalandsocialconsiderations,andincorporatemitigationandcompensationschemeswherenecessary.

Establishmentoffinancialinstrumentsforsmallprojects;theselectionprocessoftheprojectseligibleforfundingshouldbedelegatedtothelocaldecision-makinglevel.

Raisedawarenessoftheeconomicvalueofbiodiversityandecosystemservicestodifferentlevelsofcivilsocietyandgovernments.

Strengthenedeffectivenessofpublicconsultationbyimprovinglocalprocesses.

CreationofasupportunitintheORsandOCTsforthepreparationofprojectandprogrammeproposalsforsubmissiontofundingorganizations.

Creationoftrustfundstoensureprotectedareamanagementandfurtherconservationmeasuresoverthelongterm.

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J Which sustainable financial mechanisms can help address the ecological challenges facing the EU’s ORs and OCTs?

InthefaceofclimatechangeandbiodiversitylossinORsandOCTs,theparticipantsrecognizetheurgentneedforaflexibleandopennetwork,aiminginparticularatthefollowing:

ContributingtoincreasingawarenessamongallstakeholdersabouttheuniquechallengesfacedbyORsandOCTs.

Supportingandstrengtheningrelations,exchangesandinitiativesbetweenstakeholdersincludingpoliticians,scientists,businesses,civilsociety,andthenumerousandvaluablenetworksalreadyexistingatthelocal,regional,nationalandEuropeanlevels.

IdentifyingkeychallengesandestablishingthematicinitiativesatthescaleofallORsandOCTs,takingintoaccountthosewhichalreadyexistatthelocal,regional,nationalandEuropeanlevels.

FacilitatingdialoguebetweenallconcernedstakeholdersinordertobuildconsensusonpoliciestobedevelopedattheEuropeanlevelandsecuringtheirfunding.

Following-upontheimplementationoftheMessagefromReunionIslandandorganizingfutureworkincollaborationwithallconcernedstakeholders;possiblyorganizinganewevent/conference.

Asseveralsuccessfulplatformsalreadyexist,alightvalue-addedcoordinationmechanismmustbeidentifiedthatoptimizesoveralleffectiveness.

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K Moving towards a working platform on ecological challenges in ORs and OCTs

message from reunion island - european...

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