tide&natura2000: apartnership%for%sustainable%dal%river ... · european%commission ......
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TIDE & Natura 2000:A partnership for sustainable :dal river
development?
Antwerp, 18 February 2010
François Kremer
European Commission
DG Environment, Natura 2000 Unit
Estuaries
Estuaries are among the most produc:ve,dynamic and complex ecosystems of theworld. They have both high ecological andeconomic values.
They are key areas in the Natura 2000 network:306 Natura 2000 sites -‐ 643.704,44 ha
Natura 2000
• Natura 2000 is the largest network of natureprotec:on areas in the World. It is the coreinstrument in the EU for biodiversityconserva:on.
• Natura 2000 sites form a EU-‐wide coherentecological network for the protec:on of the mostthreatened species and habitat types.
• Natura 2000 is not a network of strict naturereserves but a network of sites where sustainableeconomic development takes place in full respectof biodiversity values.
New guidelines for estuaries
• To promote sustainable development in line withEU environmental legisla:on, the European portand Marine policies and the European Mari:meStrategy
• To provide clarifica:ons, explana:ons and newprospec:ve views on the applica:on of theCommunity nature legisla:on to portdevelopment and the management of estuariesand coastal zones
New guidelines for estuaries
• To explain the protec:on regime under Ar:cle6 of the Habitats Direc:ve with regard to thespecific context of estuaries and coastalzones.
• To provide recommenda:ons and elements ofgood prac:ce while facilita:ng sustainableport development in or near Natura 2000sites.
• Latest revised dra8 coming soon! See:hAp://circa.europa.eu/Public/irc/env/estuary/home
Understanding complex ecosystems
• The balance between the differentcomponents (physical, chemical, biologicaland hydro morphological) of estuarineecosystems is very complex and can be easilyaffected by human ac:vi:es
• When se[ng conserva:on objec:ves inestuaries and coastal zones, it is important tounderstand how such complex ecosystemsfunc:on and how they evolve
Some examples from the estuaries guidelines
• Nature conserva:on objec:ves and socio-‐economic development objec:ves should bejoint together in planning processes.
• Where uncertainty on effects remains,monitoring and adap:ve measures are crucial.
• Integrated management plans are they key tosustainable development in Natura 2000 sites.
‘Working with Nature’ in Natura 2000
• Achieving project objec:ves in an ecosystemcontext rather than assessing theconsequences of a predefined project design.
• Iden:fying win-‐win solu:ons rather thansimply minimising ecological harm.
• To be applied early in a project when flexibilityis s:ll possible.
• To be applied not only at project level but alsoto the strategic planning level.
“Working with Nature” is cool
“Working with Nature” is about more thanavoiding or mi:ga:ng the environmentalimpacts of a pre-‐defined design.
Rather, it sets out ways of achieving projectobjec:ves while delivering environmentalprotec:on, restora:on or enhancement. Itprefers preven:on to compensa:on. Itpromotes biodiversity rather than justavoiding its decline.
Welcome ‘TIDE’ project !
• The guidance document on estuaries andcoastal zones will provide recommenda:onsto enhance sustainable economicdevelopment in or near Natura 2000 sites.
• The TIDE project is seen as an importantcomplement to the con:nued exchange ofinforma:on and good prac:ce in the estuariesWorking Group.
Some expecta:ons from TIDE
• Contribute to the protec:on of estuarineecosystems and biodiversity
• Improve knowledge about estuary func:oning• Improve exchange of experience andknowledge
• Develop prac:cal approaches for working withnature and avoiding conflicts
• Design and promote integrated developmentapproaches in estuaries
Some more expecta:ons from TIDE
• Provide feed-‐back on implementa:on andexamples of good prac:ce
• Contribute to the dialogue on Natura 2000and estuaries in the context of the estuariesworking group
• Contribute to befer understanding andawareness about the objec:ves of Natura2000
• Further strengthen the partnership betweenNatura 2000 and developers in :dal rivers