Green Week 2015

3-5 June 2015Brussels

LIFE at

Environment

ec.europa.eu/life

The 2015 edition of Green Week, the biggest annual conference on European environment policy, takes place from 3-5 June at The Egg, 175 Rue Bara, Brussels. The theme is nature and biodiversity. Green Week offers a unique opportunity for debate, exchanges of experience and sharing of best practice. The conference has become an unmissable event for all involved in protecting the environment. The LIFE programme is again playing a prominent role during Green Week, in Brussels and in several satellite events happening simultaneously around Europe.

An award ceremony to celebrate the most inspiring LIFe projects com-pleted during 2014. The objective of the awards is to identify and raise awareness of those projects whose results, if widely applied, could have the most positive impact on nature and the environment. See pp.4-11 of this leaflet for details of the win-ning projects.

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/bestprojects

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LIFE Best Projects Awards

Thursday, 4 June 201518:30 - 20:30(Auditorium)

18:30 Welcome to the Awards Ceremony Peter Woodward, Master of Ceremonies, Quest Associates Ltd

18:35 Introducing the Best LIFe environment projects Karl Falkenberg, Director-General, DG Environment

18:45 Presentation of the Best LIFe environment projects

19:05 Presentation of the Best of the Best LIFe environment projects

19:20 Introducing the Best LIFe nature projects Patricia Zurita, Chief Executive of the BirdLife International Partnership

19:30 Presentation of the Best LIFe nature projects

19.45 Presentation of the Best of the Best LIFe nature projects

19.55 LIFe Community Awards Winners of the public vote for Best LIFe projects

20.00 Official group photographs

The award ceremony will be followed by a networking cocktail

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Green Week will feature a session that is highly relevant to the LIFe programme, entitled, Engaging and rewarding private landowners: can we find new ways? A significant number of natura 2000 network sites are pri-vately owned. Many of these landowners would like to make their management practices more compatible with the needs of the protected habitats and species on their land. However, in practice they are often deterred by usage constraints, potential loss of income or other financial barriers. This session explores new ways to facilitate and incentivise private land conservation through mechanisms tested by LIFe projects, landowners, land trusts and other stakeholders at eu and international level.

LIFE nature seminar: engaging with private landowners

LIFE Community Awards

Friday, 5 June 2015 09:30 - 11:00

S P e A k e r S :James N. Levitt, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and Harvard University Vesna Valant, Adviser, Directorate for Natural Capital, Directorate General for Environment, European Commission Thierry de l’Escaille, CEO, European Landowners Organisation

M O d e r ATO r : Angelo Salsi, Head of Unit LIFE – Nature, Directorate General for Environment, European Commission LI

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Engaging and rewarding private landowners: can we find new ways?

To increase awareness of the excellent work of the LIFe programme, this year’s LIFe Best Project Awards for the first time includes the LIFe Community Awards. These will be presented to two LIFe projects - one nature and one environment - chosen by public vote from the Best of the Best pro-jects. To vote go to: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/citizens_vote2014 (voting closes at 11pm on Monday 1 June).

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The LIFE Nature selection

committee has recognised

the work of 17 projects

completed during 2014.

The most outstanding five

of these are the Best of

the Best projects.

CONVIPURSRAK (LIFE07 NAT/H/000322)

This project reversed the population decline of the imperial

eagle in natura 2000 network sites in Bulgaria. key conser-

vation actions involved insulating 49 km of power lines, a

major cause of raptor mortality, installing artificial nests and

increasing the population of the prey species, the european

souslik, a type of ground squirrel. The number of breeding

pairs of imperial eagles increased from 16 to 25 and there

has been a 30% increase in breeding success.

http://www.saveraptors.org

The project was about conservation of the Hungarian mead-

ow viper (Vipera ursinii rakosiensis) in the Carpathian-basin.

The Hungarian meadow viper is Hungary’s most-endangered

vertebrate – fewer than 500 individuals of this sub-species

remain. This LIFe project increased the area of the vipers’ fa-

voured grassland habitat by more than 400 ha and reintroduced several hundred vipers

bred in captivity. The beneficiary also worked closely with local communities to better

promote coexistence with the snakes.

http://www.rakosivipera.hu/

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BEST

LIFE

NATURE PROJECTS

BSPB LIFE+ SAVE THE RAPTORS (LIFE07 NAT/BG/000068)

B E S T O F T H E B E S T P R O J E C T S

The Thalassa campaign raised awareness of 14 endangered marine mammals found

in the Greek seas and of the threats they face from human impacts on the maritime

environment – such as from fishing bycatch and coastal development. Communication

and educational campaigns gained traction among schoolchildren and the under-35s in

particular, boosting knowledge of the dangers facing these

species and how to counter them. The project also targeted

advocacy and capacity-building campaigns at public authori-

ties and decision-makers.

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Estuarios del Pais Vasco (LIFE07 NAT/BG/000068) URSUSLIFE (LIFE08 NAT/RO/000500)

Thalassa (LIFE09 INF/GR/000320)

urSuSLIFe helped maintain the population and

conservation status of the Carpathian brown

bear (Ursus arctos arctos) in three natura 2000

sites in romanias. The project demonstrated

best practice in addressing the population de-

cline caused by poaching and juvenile mortal-

ity, reconnected fragmented bear habitats and

worked to overcome conflicts between these

large carnivores and the local community, in-

cluding by promotional efforts for local products

highlighting the link to bears, such as honey.

http://www.carnivoremari.ro/

estuarine habitats of eu importance in Spain’s Basque Coun-

try are threatened by the presence of the exotic and invasive

bushy shrub, Baccharis halimifolia. The project implemented

an ambitious campaign to combat the invasive species in

three Basque estuary sites. The work entailed physical and

chemical methods of removal and avoided the use of heavy

machinery. More than 570 000 mature and five million juve-

nile plants of the invasive shrub were removed from a 212

hectare-area.

http://www.ingurumena.ejgv.euskadi.eus/r49-life55/en/

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BSPB LIFE+ SAVE THE RAPTORS (LIFE07 NAT/BG/000068)

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BEST

LIFE

NATURE PROJECTS

ReHa Federseemoor (LIFE07 NAT/D/000233) This project re-wetted drained bog habi-tats in southern Germany, helping to se-quester carbon and enabling the return of typical bog species. key actions included turning a disused former airfield back into bog and establishing long-term manage-ment of the restored areas through graz-ing agreements with farmers.

JUNICOAST (LIFE07 NAT/GR/000296)

This LIFe project in Crete and the South Aegean (Greece) introduced a package of coordinated conservation measures that applied integrated partnership principles to tackle tourism pressures and assist natural regeneration of coastal dune habi-tats with juniper species.

BulPlantNet (LIFE08 NAT/BG/000279) The project halted species loss in Bulgaria through the introduction of plant micro reserves. BulPlantnet succeeded in having 58 sites outside the natura 2000 network - home to 47 endangered plant species - designated as Small Protected Sites in Bulgarian legislation.

TOTAL COVER HELNÆS (LIFE08 NAT/DK/000465)

LIFe funding helped double the area of semi-natural habitats in the Helnaes natura 2000 network site on the island of Funen (denmark). The project has re-stored and connected previously-threat-ened habitat types, benefitting endangered fauna and flora in the process.

Riparia-Ter (LIFE08 NAT/E/000072) riparia-Ter targeted riparian habitats along the river Ter in Catalonia. It worked to conserve the diversity of existing veg-etation and to create sustainable habitats. The project successfully recovered 75 hectares of river forest habitats.

Raised Bogs (LIFE08 NAT/LV/000449)

This project prepared management plans and regulatory documents for four pro-tected areas of active raised bog habitat in Latvia, in collaboration with local stake-holder groups. The total restored habitat area was 488 ha - almost twice the area originally targeted.

CAPR (LIFE08 NAT/RO/000501) The CAPr project targeted romanian popu-lations of the lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina), working to stabilise numbers and ensure a long-term favourable con-servation status. Amongst the key actions, some 1 500 electric pylons were insulated to reduce eagle mortality.

SloWolf (LIFE08 NAT/SLO/000244)

This conservation project established a national wolf surveillance system, which gave important new insights into wolf behaviour. The beneficiary’s advo-cacy work led to the adoption of the Wolf Management Action Plan by the Slove-nian government.

MIRDINEC (LIFE09 NAT/SE/000344)

The project instigated international co-operation to establish an early-warning system for a highly mobile invasive alien species in northern europe, the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), which is known to cause substantial ecological damage to native fauna.

AlterIAS (LIFE08 INF/B/000052)

The AlterIAS project helped promote best practices for preventing the release and spread of invasive alien species in Bel-gium by drawing up a voluntary Code of Conduct in consultation with the horticul-tural sector, environmental authorities and the scientific community.

INFOMS (LIFE08 INF/CZ/000443) The InFOMS project developed a com-munication strategy for the effective im-plementation of natura 2000 objectives in the Czech republic. The project is noted for its effective cross-sectoral cooperation which has raised awareness of nature con-servation in 50 communities, and among landowners and diverse organisations.

Saimaan lohikalojen (LIFE10 INF/FI/000052)

This project prepared 60 fishing plans for fishery districts and joint ownership as-sociations to significantly advance sus-tainable fishing in the Vuoksi river basin, raising awareness among anglers and improving management practices, par-ticularly for valuable salmon populations.

The 12 Best LIFE Nature Projects for 2014

POWER (LIFE08 ENV/E/000114)

REWETLAND (LIFE08 ENV/IT/000406)

The Project for Optimisation of Water and emissions reduc-

tion (POWer) showed how the energy and water efficiency

of irrigation could be improved by defining two good water

governance models, one for agriculture and the other for

irrigation in urban green areas. These models, which were

demonstrated in the Zaragoza region of Spain, included the

re-use of water and the use of solar-thermal power, micro-

wind and biomass energy to pump water.

http://www.lifepowerproject.eu/

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The Pontine Plain is a vast area of former marshland, char-

acterised by unplanned urban development and intensive ag-

ricultural practices, which have led to severe water pollution.

This LIFe project demonstrated natural water purification and

water management systems, and drafted an environmental

regeneration Programme, incorporating widespread biofilter-

ing techniques, in order to both reduce water pollution and

increase biodiversity.

http://www.rewetland.eu/

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The LIFE Environment

selection committee has

recognised the work of 25

projects completed during

2014. The most outstanding

eight of these are Best of

the Best projects.

B E S T O F T H E B E S T P R O J E C T S

BEST

LIFE

ENVIRONMENT PROJECTS

This project developed a pilot plant for converting biodegradable, non-recyclable munici-

pal solid waste into synthetic diesel fuel. The plant, the first of its kind, uses innovative

dieselr technology, which converts polymers into shorter

carbon chains. By using this waste recovery technology, the

pilot plant in Constantí (Spain) has the capacity to produce

15 000 tonnes a year of synthetic diesel, adding value to

40 000 tonnes a year of urban waste that would otherwise

go to landfill.

http://www.dieselr.com/

AgriClimateChange (LIFE09 ENV/ES/000441)

DEMONSTRATION OF KDV TECH (LIFE08 ENV/E/000114)

WIZ (LIFE09 ENV/IT/000056)

The project combatted climate change through the applica-

tion of a common evaluation system in the four largest ag-

ricultural economies of the eu. Farming emissions represent

some 11% of total eu greenhouse gas emissions. The pro-

ject identified and promoted sustainable agricultural practic-

es in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. It also developed the

AgriClimateChange tool to help assess and measure energy

and greenhouse gas emissions at farm level.

http://www.agriclimatechange.eu/

The WIZ project developed an innovative ap-

proach to drinking water management. One

that takes climate change into account. un-

der this approach, water resources are allo-

cated according to trends in demand and ex-

pected availability. The project created online

platforms to provide citizens with information

concerning water availability and to give com-

petent authorities a more complete picture of

water demands in a given area, thus supporting

local decision-making.

http://www.wiz-life.eu

BEST

LIFE

ENVIRONMENT PROJECTS

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AQUA (LIFE09 ENV/IT/000208) Slovenia WEEE campaign (LIFE10 INF/SI/000139)

RESTORE - Rivers (LIFE09 INF/UK/000032)

Achieving good water quality status in inten-

sive animal production areas. Agriculture is a

major source of nutrients that enter into the

aquatic environment. These include nitrogen

and phosphorous, which degrade water quality.

The AQuA project demonstrated methods for

optimising the use of nitrogen and phosphorus

on livestock farms, without farmers’ productiv-

ity. The results from nine pilot farms in north-

ern Italy show how the project’s methods can

significantly reduce ground and surface water

pollution from nitrogen and phosphorous.

http://aqua.crpa.it

The campaign highlighted the importance of environmentally

sound management of waste electrical and electronic equip-

ment (Weee) among key target groups in Slovenia. The pro-

ject reduced the environmental impact of Weee by promot-

ing its separate collection for reuse and recycling. Targeted

awareness-raising campaigns, in schools, online and for

municipalities, increased knowledge about handling, disposal

and treatment, and helped increase the amount of Weee col-

lected in Slovenia — resulting in an 11.7% increase in the

second year of the project.

http://life.zeos.si/en/

The reSTOre project boosted knowledge transfer on euro-

pean river restoration by setting up a website containing in-

formation on restoration projects. It also set up riverWiki,

a complementary open source website offering more than

500 river restoration case studies from 31 countries. These

sites provide analysis of policy opportunities and restoration

measures, and their cost effectiveness.

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PROSODOL (LIFE07 ENV/GR/000280) The PrOSOdOL project developed an inte-grated approach to the disposal of olive mill waste on agricultural soil, optimising a set of indicators and threshold values. It also established a system for carrying out risk assessments and software for moni-toring soil quality.

MHyBus (LIFE07 ENV/IT/000434)

The project tested a prototype bus powered by blend of hydro-methane and hydrogen on urban roads. The bus was monitored over one year to demonstrate the advantages in terms of reduced atmospheric emissions of pollutants and lower fuel consumption.

ZERO-HYTECHPARK(LIFE08 ENV/E/000136)

This project demonstrated a range of appli-cations for the use of renewable hydrogen in building and sustainable mobility, includ-ing installing solar panels for heating and air conditioning, and using hydrogen fuel cells for powering vehicles and heating water.

EnvEurope (LIFE08 ENV/IT/000399)

The Italian-led project worked across 11 countries to harmonise data-gathering

and comparison procedures of the euro-pean Long-Term ecosystem research net-work. It also developed a common set of key long-term ecological parameters and measurement protocols.

ATMOSYS (LIFE09 ENV/BE/000409)

The ATMOSYS project developed an Air Quality Management dashboard to help manage atmospheric pollution hot spots. It consists of an interface for environ-mental managers and one to inform the public about air quality, alongside mod-elling, validation, analysis and reporting functions.

LASERFIRING (LIFE09 ENV/ES/000435)

The project developed a new manufactur-ing method for ceramics to be used in the construction industry, using laser technol-ogy to make it possible to fire clay at lower temperatures. The prototype reduced CO2 emissions by 10-40%.

GREENING BOOKS(LIFE09 ENV/ES/000457) This project took an integrated approach to the environmental impact of publishing that considered the whole product lifecycle.

It developed and tested online tools that allow publishers to see the potential ben-efits of adjusting essential raw materials such as paper and inks.

GISBLOOM (LIFE09 ENV/FI/000569)

The GISBLOOM project created tools and increased capacity to ensure better inte-gration of climate change adaptation into river basin management plans. It demon-strated an integrated model for quantify-ing climate change adaptation scenarios on eutrophication and algal blooms.

WASTE-C-CONTROL (LIFE09 ENV/GR/000294)

The project developed decision-support soft-ware to monitor greenhouse gas emissions from solid waste management activities over the whole lifecycle, helping authorities to identify the most environmentally-friend-ly and cost-effective solutions.

P.R.I.M.E. (LIFE09 ENV/IT/000061)

The P.r.I.M.e. project established an inte-grated management system for residues of neptune grass (Posidonia oceanica) on beaches. Through engagement with rel-evant stakeholders the project was able

to identify methods to recover and use it in the production of fertilisers.

WASTE-LESS in CHIANTI (LIFE09 ENV/IT/000068) This project designed a strategy for waste prevention and sustainable waste man-agement in line with national and eu policy. It thus provided a model for imple-menting eu waste policy locally. By 2012, it had resulted in a 28% fall in waste sent to landfill.

OPERA (LIFE09 ENV/IT/000092)

OPerA developed a software modelling tool and guidelines to support local and regional authorities in designing and assessing efficient air quality plans, to enable compliance with eu air quality standards.

Pure Energy Separator (LIFE09 ENV/SE/000352)

The project developed an innovative cen-trifugal separator technology system to recover oil from waste fuel in diesel en-gine installations on board ships and in power plants. It thus encourages energy recovery and reduces oily waste volumes.

BEST

LIFE

ENVIRONMENT PROJECTS

The 17 Best LIFE Environment Projects for 2014

ASROCKS (LIFE10 ENV/FI/000062) This project developed risk management tools for arsenic in crushed rock aggregate and the construction industry. It produced guidelines for sustainable aggregate pro-duction and its re-use in construction in arsenic-rich areas.

ArcFUEL (LIFE10 ENV/GR/000617) This Greek project developed an influential methodology for Fuel Classification Map-ping, which is essential for effective forest fire management. As a result, such maps have become more widely available in Mediterranean countries.

LOWaste (LIFE10 ENV/IT/000373)

The LOWaste project used local markets to recycle or reuse textiles, inert building waste, urban furnishings, play equipment and food residues. It managed to reduce waste production in the local district by up to 11 400 tonnes per year.

Investing in Water (LIFE10 INF/MT/000091)

Through a series of information campaigns and audits, the project demonstrated how businesses and hotels in Malta could re-duce their water consumption. It identified and widely disseminated best practices and made policy recommendations.

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39 43 44 7 8 17Life+ Red Quebrantahuesos (LIFE12 NAT/ES/000322)

Bearded Vulture Conservation Fund (Spain)Conservation of the bearded vulture and its contribution to eco-system services

NATNET (LIFE10 NAT/FI/000047)

Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (Finland)Increasing the ecological connections and coherence of the natura 2000 network in South-west Lapland

Life OZON (LIFE12 NAT/BE/000166) and LIFE+SCALLUVIA (LIFE12 NAT/BE/000596)

The Agency of Nature and Forests (Belgium) pre-sents two projects: • restoration of natural habitats for critically endan-

gered species by defragmentation of the Sonian Forest

• Habitat restoration of alluvial forests and creeks within the flood controlled Scheldt estuary site kruibeke-Bazel-rupelmonde

Salt of Life (LIFE11 NAT/BG/000362)

Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation (Bulgaria)urgent Measures to restore and Secure Long-term Preservation of the Atanasovsko Lake Coastal Lagoon

Bocages (LIFE11 NAT/BE/001059) and Herbages (Belgium) (LIFE11 NAT/BE/001060)

Natagora (Belgium) presents two LIFe projects: • Conservation of habitats and species of bocage

landscapes of the Fagne and Famenne• Priority actions for grasslands and meadows in

Southern Lorraine and the Ardenne

LANDLIFE (LIFE10 INF/ES/000540)

XCt, Xarxa Custodia del Territori (Spain)Boosting Land Stewardship as a Conservation Tool in the Western Mediterranean Arch: a Communication and Training Scheme.

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Green Week is a great opportunity to see LIFE in action. More than 10 LIFE project beneficiaries will be present in the exhibition hall throughout the week.

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exHIBITIOn ZOneLIFE projects

RIVERSIDE ROOM

AUDITORIUM STUDIO

BristolEuropean

Green Capital 2015

European Green Belt

Expo

AQUARIUM

REGISTRATION

SPEAKERS SECRETARIATPRACSIS + SCIC

PRESSROOM

FIRSTAIDIN

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ROOM

INTE

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TERSPRESS

DEBRIEFING

CLOAKROOM

CINEMALISTENINGROOM

INFO +PRESSDESK

COSYCORNER

CYBERCAFE

Wonders of the worldEXPO

VIPROOM

WORK-SHOPROOM

ROOM: RIVERSIDE

Visit the LIFE website: ec.europa.eu/life

TECHN

ICAL DESK

DG ENVIRONMENT PUBLICATIONS (BOOKSHOP)

EUROPEAN BUSINESSAWARDS FOR

THE ENVIRONMENT

SATELLITE & SIDE EVENT

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More information about LIFE at Green Week 2015: ec.europa.eu/environment/life//news/events/events2015/greenweek15.htm

ROOM: EXHIBITION AREA

RIVERSIDE ROOM

AUDITORIUM STUDIO

BristolEuropean

Green Capital 2015

European Green Belt

Expo

AQUARIUM

REGISTRATION

SPEAKERS SECRETARIATPRACSIS + SCIC

PRESSROOM

FIRSTAIDIN

TERV

IEW

ROOM

INTE

RPRE

TERSPRESS

DEBRIEFING

CLOAKROOM

CINEMALISTENINGROOM

INFO +PRESSDESK

COSYCORNER

CYBERCAFE

Wonders of the worldEXPO

LIFE Exhibition area n° 39-44

VIPROOM

WORK-SHOPROOM

exHIBITIOn ZOneLIFE projects1

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LIFE-Stymfalia

(LIFE12 NAT/GR/000275)

(stand shared with other projects)Piraeus Bank GroupSustainable management and financing of wetland biodiversity – The case of Lake Stymfalia

SAMBAH (LIFE08 NAT/S/000261)

Ministry of the Environment (Finland/Sweden)Static Acoustic Monitoring of the Baltic Sea Harbour porpoise

LIFE-GREEN4GREY (LIFE13 ENV/BE/000212)

Flemish Land Agency & Flemish Minis-try of Environment (Belgium)Innovative design & development of multi-functional green & blue infrastructure in Flanders grey peri-urban landscapes