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Brussels, 5.9.2006

SEC(2006) 1082

COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Annex to the COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL AND THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Establishing an Environment Strategy for the Mediterranean {COM(2006) 475 final}

ANNEX

Horizon 2020 – Detailed description of the Components and Timetable for the First phase (2007-2013)

1. COMPONENTS OF HORIZON 2020

The activities to be pursued under the Horizon 2020 initiative can be grouped under the following four headings:

1.1. Pollution Reduction Projects

This segment will concentrate on pursuing of the most significant pollution reduction projects. It is intended to concentrate in the first instance on the priority sectors defined at the 10th Anniversary Euro-Mediterranean Summit, that are recognised as responsible for up to 80% of pollution in the Mediterranean Sea namely:

- municipal waste

- urban waste water

- industrial emissions

Building on the experience of the Danube-Black Sea (DABLAS)[1] initiative, the aim of this component will be to develop a pipeline of projects that makes the link between the financial viability/ownership of projects and the regional environmental significance of the projects. These projects will then be given additional priority in order to push them forward to the phase of implementation.

It is important to ensure from the outset that there is a high degree of ownership and financial viability of the projects from the financing authorities of the beneficiary country. As a starting point for the pipeline, the World Bank and EIB have offered to bring their existing project portfolios in the relevant sectors under the Horizon 2020 umbrella. Relevant MAP organisations will be invited to share the results of their analyses with the IFIs to enable full identification of those projects having the most significant environmental impact including identifying 'hot-spots' that are not currently being addressed through pollution reduction projects. Of particular significance will be the projects identified in the National Action Plans under the Land Based Sources of Pollution (LBS) Protocol. Subsequent development of the pipeline could take into account the additional projects identified by MAP provided that they receive the approval of the national financing authorities and fit within the appropriate financing strategies of the partner country or financing organisation

The pipeline should remain limited in size to ensure that the focus is placed on the main priority projects.

Once key projects are identified they will be given extra attention and promoted to secure financial support. Without prejudice to the final outcome of the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument and the programming documents to be adopted, it is nevertheless expected that while seeking to maximise its catalytic effects, EC assistance on environment will focus on technical assistance including facilities for preparing projects for financing, capacity building measures and interest rate subsidies where appropriate.

Other bilateral or multilateral donors will be encouraged to contribute to supporting this pipeline of projects through their inclusion in the work of the initiative.

Other pollution such as that originating from ships should also be addressed as soon as possible.

1.2. Capacity building measures

A number of ongoing actions and initiatives will lead to the establishment of the necessary conditions for sustainable environmental protection of the Mediterranean. Capacity building should be interpreted in the broadest sense to include development of legislation, institutions and support for local authorities and civil society. Particular attention will be given to capacity building measures at local level. These actions will extend beyond the three priority sectors of the pollution reduction component.

Recent examples of regional capacity building include the SMAP correspondents' network, support to the Euro-Mediterranean Water Directors meetings and work under the EU Water Initiative, as well as activities to develop the Mediterranean component of the European Soil Data Centre (ESDAC). The capacity building elements of the ENP Action Plans will assist partner countries to strengthen environmental governance. In the field of integrated prevention and control of industrial emissions, information activities will be undertaken in line with the joint MAP/European Commission work programme and in cooperation with the Clean Production Regional Activity Centre.

Partners have jointly committed to develop the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development and review the implementation of all relevant regional agreements and action plans. Implementation of these commitments will be an important contribution to Horizon 2020.

1.3. Research

The Commission proposes that efforts be continued in creating, sharing and communicating scientific knowledge supporting the aims of Horizon 2020. Efforts will be undertaken to disseminate and promote the use of relevant knowledge accumulated under recent research and LIFE programmes, as well as promoting new research in line with priority setting that takes place regularly under the auspices of the Mediterranean Research Monitoring Committee (MOCO), most recently in view of providing guidance for scientific cooperation in the forthcoming 7th Research Framework Programme..

A number of the priority areas identified in the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Development could benefit the objectives of Horizon 2020. Theme-oriented international actions will be carried, including inter alia projects in the areas of Health, Food, Agriculture and Biotechnology, Production Technologies, Energy, Environment (including Climate Change), Soil Protection and Transport. Further support will be given through the Direct Actions of the Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC), in particular in the fields of climate change, sustainable use of natural resources (forests, soils, freshwater), the marine and coastal environment, spatial data infrastructures and the use of renewable energies, especially solar energy.

International actions in the area of human potential will involve international fellowships and partnerships to support the exchange of researchers. Common initiatives between European organisations and organisations from countries neighbouring the EU will also be supported, in particular in the fields of water, biodiversity and cultural heritage. The Commission shall strengthen the link between the 7th Framework Programme and support to the environment priorities of the European Neighbourhood Policy through better targeting of research themes on identified priorities. Work will continue to update priority research needs related to Horizon 2020 in collaboration with MAP and its Activity Centres, as well as with policy makers, research institutions and other relevant actors in the Mediterranean area. These priorities can then be proposed for inclusion in relevant calls for proposals of research projects.

1.4. Monitoring, Steering, and Review

Monitoring the state of the environment

The European Environment Agency in cooperation with the statistical office of the European Commission (EUROSTAT), the Mediterranean Marine Pollution and Research Programme (MEDPOL) under the Barcelona Convention, the Euro-Mediterranean Water Information System (EMWIS) and other relevant bodies will work together on the development of an indicator process and a “scorecard” to measure progress with pollution levels taking advantage of ongoing work at the European level to streamline existing indicators. This work will be coordinated with preparations for monitoring the proposed Marine Strategy Directive with a view to producing a coherent assessment of pollution and development levels in the region and streamlining data flows and network infrastructures.

Furthermore, activities will be undertaken in collaboration with and as contributions to the European Shared Environmental Information System[2] and the underpinned Infrastructure for Spatial Information in Europe (INSPIRE) initiative[3].

The Commission will contribute to the monitoring of the state of the Mediterranean environment through the development of the European Data Centres on Forests (EFDAC) and Soils (ESDAC) as well as through further activities related to the atmospheric, marine and coastal environment. In particular, the Commission will extend to the Mediterranean region the FATE spatial mapping of environmental pollution risks and scenarios screening, which will support the monitoring of impacts of the Horizon 2020 initiative.

The Fish Web archive available at www.fishbase.org can provide several indicators for the health of marine biodiversity and ecosystems, while standardised scientific information on major river basins is accessible from the EU Water Initiative research.

MAP and the Commission will jointly explore the development of a harmonised approach to monitoring of emissions from IPPC industries.

Steering and reviewing the initiative

The initiative will be reviewed at regular intervals to assess progress and adjust actions to meet changing circumstances and priorities.

At regional level, a steering committee will oversee the implementation of the initiative in all its pillars. This committee will be a consultative/guiding body with a wide membership that should meet at regular intervals. This group will aim to overcome the past problem of lack of coordination.

Because environment ministries are not always responsible for the water sector the Euro-Mediterranean Water Directors conference will be kept closely associated with the initiative.

2. TIMETABLE FOR THE FIRST PHASE OF HORIZON 2020 (2007-2013)

The Commission presents this proposal for what it considers to be a feasible timetable of actions following a period of discussion and consultation with partners from the Mediterranean Region. It is intended that this proposal be discussed with partners leading to its adoption at the third meeting of Euro-Mediterranean Environment Ministers in Cairo on 20 November 2006. If the various milestones are to be met then all Euro-Mediterranean Partners will need to ensure that the necessary political support and resources are made available.

This timetable covers the initial phase of Horizon 2020, until 2013 corresponding to the period covered by the next EU financial perspectives. It is proposed that following a 2009 mid-term progress report to Euro-Mediterranean environment ministers, the initiative be reviewed, at a subsequent meeting of EMP environment ministers, to be held in 2012.

Meeting the deadlines of relevant EU environment legislation and policies (including complying with the provisions of the Barcelona Convention and its protocols) will be the most significant contribution of European Union Member States to achieving the goals of Horizon 2020. A significant future development in this regard will be the adoption and subsequent implementation of the proposed Marine Strategy Directive.

At a bilateral level, the formal EU-Partner country dialogue should address the initiative through the regular meetings of the Energy/Transport/Environment Sub-Committees as they are created.

The timetable is structured under the component headings of Horizon 2020.

2.1. Pollution Reduction Projects

2007 :

- FEMIP[4]-EIB/World Bank to bring existing project portfolios under Horizon 2020 and work with relevant institutions of the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) and other relevant groupings to identify those projects having the largest impact on Mediterranean pollution levels (priority projects). Particular attention will be paid to the projects included in the National Action Plans of the Strategic Action Programme to address pollution from Land Based Sources (SAP MED).

- The Commission shall call a meeting of donor organisations to coordinate actions related to pollution reduction projects.

2008 onwards:

- Partners to update information on the major pollution sources (the Barcelona Convention 'Hot Spots') and feed this information back into subsequent development of the project pipeline.

- Project preparation assistance to preferentially target priority projects.

- Horizon 2020 measures to be considered in programming the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI).

- Further development of project pipeline.

2.2. Capacity building measures

Capacity building measures will be identified on the basis of the European Neighbourhood Policy and its adopted Action Plans, as well as within the ongoing work conducted in the framework of the EUWI/WFD Joint Process, taking due account of the lessons from the review of integrated water resources management research and practice[5]. Further measures will be identified in the country strategy papers that the European Commission, the IFIs and other donors adopt to guide their cooperation/assistance to Mediterranean partner countries.

2007:

- Identification of priority needs in capacity building measures by partner countries taking into account the ENP and its Action Plans as well as previous identification work such as that carried out by MAP, the EU Water Initiative, etc.

- European Commission to start implementing initial capacity building measures using the ENPI and the TAIEX facility targeted on ENP Action Plan measures.

- The new operational phase of the MED POL programme Phase IV programme adopted by the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention.

- MAP to begin to develop appropriate capacity building measures through the Info MAP Programme.

- Development of curricula by partner countries for future water managers, to enable constructively engaged integrated water resources allocation and management.

2007-2008:

- EMP countries not having already done so to ratify the amended Barcelona Convention and its main protocols.

- Partners to advance with implementation at national level of the National Action Plans that they have prepared under the Land Based Sources (LBS) Protocol of the Barcelona Convention, in accordance with the deadlines specified in the plans and the objectives of paragraph 2.7[6] of the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development (MSSD).

- Progress with the capacity building elements of the first ENP Action Plans with Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Palestinian Authority and Tunisia to be assessed in the context of the ENP implementation reports. Follow-up to be organised within the ENP.

- Further dissemination action of the BREFs in the context of the joint MAP/European Commission work programme.

- Actions to enhance environmental governance to be considered in the negotiation and review of ENP Action Plans.

2008 onwards:

- Partner countries to report on progress in implementing the Euro-Mediterranean Environmental Integration Strategy that was adopted at the 2nd Conference of Euro-Mediterranean Environment Ministers in Athens in July 2002 (through Euro-Mediterranean sub-committees where they have been initiated).

- Partner countries to issue progress reports on steps taken to implement the MSSD.

- Present summary progress report on the Euro-Mediterranean Environmental Integration Strategy to the regular meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean Foreign Ministers.

- Organisation of a seminar COM / MS / Euro-Med countries on integrated pollution prevention and control.

2.3. Research

2007 - 2013

- The 7th Framework Programme for research of the EU enters into implementation. It will be open to participation of third countries’ research institutions.

- Review and update of existing lists of priority needs in research related to Horizon 2020 in collaboration with MAP and its Activity Centres, as well as research institutions in the Mediterranean area. These priorities to be considered for inclusion in relevant calls for funding of research projects.

- Diffusion of information on regular calls for proposals for research projects to be funded under the 7th Framework Programme (FP).

- Results of EU research relevant to the Mediterranean environment to be made available to Horizon 2020 partners.

2.4. Review and Monitoring

2007

- Establish the Steering Group for the initiative and hold the first meeting.

- All partners, taking account of existing initiatives in particular the MEDPOL programme, European Marine Monitoring and Assessment (EMMA), and EEA country scorecard analyses, to consolidate monitoring data and indicator processes to support the regular review of the initiative.

- MAP to build on existing information and communication initiatives to create multi-sector information and communication partnerships to promote the “key contents” of Horizon 2020 at the regional level.

From 2008 onwards

- EEA, in cooperation with relevant partners and based on existing and ongoing initiatives, to design a coherent indicator process and framework for regular indicator based analyses, including a “scorecard”, to compare and measure progress. Key indicators to be tested.

- At intermediate dates the initiative will be monitored with the production of:

- - Five yearly reports on the state of the environment in the Mediterranean Sea based on an agreed set of indicators in line with progress in the context of EMMA and the national and regional diagnosis carried out by MEDPOL

- - Biennial synthesis progress report focussing on country profiles in line with UNEP/MAP’s work programme.

- All countries to provide regular data and information on pollution sources and levels to allow preparation of monitoring reports.

- All countries to prioritise pollution sources according to the pollutants included in the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR)/United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) PRTR Protocol.

- Commission in collaboration with MAP to develop communication and information campaign to publicise the initiative.

- Include Horizon 2020 and its goals in the MED Day Programme (a regional information and communication campaign involving institutions, private sector and civil society) to enhance the visibility of the Initiative and promote public awareness.

2010/2011

- Progress reports will be issued for both the infrastructure and capacity building components and examined by the Horizon 2020 Steering Committee.

2012

- Fix future Horizon 2020 work programme and revise approach if necessary based on results of this first phase.

- Provide progress report to Euro-Mediterranean Environment Ministers

2.5. Specific deadlines for EU Member States

2007

- October 2007: deadline for full implementation of the Integrated Pollution Prevention Control Directive (IPPC)

2008

- EU Member States to adopt the first version of the River Basin Management Plans under the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

2009

- EU MS to finalise and agree WFD river basin management plan including a programme of measures.

2012

- EU Member States to make operational the programme of measures as defined in the River Basin Management plan under the WFD

2.6. Actions in relation to the proposal for the Marine Strategy Directive

2012

- EU Member States to finish an initial assessment of the environmental status of their marine environment, including the main impacts, and to determine the good environmental status of their marine environment under the proposed Marine Strategy Directive (MSD) .

2013

- EU Member States to set up targets for their marine environment, under the proposed MSD, keeping in mind the rebuilding commitments for marine ecosystems of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation.

[1] http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/enlarg/danubeblacksea_en.htm

[2] EPRG 10/05 'Monitoring and Reporting/ Progress Report and Outline of Next Steps', July 2005

[3] http://inspire.jrc.it

[4] Facilité euro méditerranéenne d'investissement et de partenariat

[5] http://ec.europa.eu/research/water-initiative

[6] Promoting sustainable management of the sea and coastal zones and taking urgent action to put an end to the degradation of coastal zones.