SPLAN-Natura 2000

Commissioned by DG Environment

Towards an integrated spatial planning approach

for Natura 2000

17th January, 2017 Brussels V. Simeonova (Ph.D.)

Drivers towards integrating Biodiversity conservation objectives in sectoral policies Polices:

● Nature Directives and Natura 2000 other environmental legislation

● Fitness check report

● European Semesters

Research:

● Ecological networks & habitat connectivity

● Ecosystem services

● Population viability

Societal challenges:

● Sustainability goals and socio-economic needs

Spatial development and competing claims

Social equity

Environmental quality

Economic growth

Sustainable spatial

development Natura 2000 and Land Use Pressures

Methodology: policies, scales, practices

Policy background

Assessment of coherence between

spatial planning, sectoral policies and

Natura 2000

Spatial Planning Scale

EU, Member

States, local context

Best practices

Spatial planning for Natura 2000 in different sectors

Coherence between spatial planning, Natura 2000 and sectoral policies

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Understanding the role of Spatial Planning?

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Coordination of spatial dimension of sectoral policies dealing with tensions and contradictions among sectoral policies.

Long-medium-term strategies for territories, dealing with land use and physical development, coordinating sectoral policies

ESP Compendium: methods to influence the future distribution of activities in space, creating a more rational territorial organization of land uses.....to balance demands for development with the need to protect the environment ensure social and economic development

Measures to coordinate the spatial impacts of sectoral policies to achieve a more even distribution of economic development between regions than would otherwise be created by market forces, and to regulate the conversion of land and property uses.

How spatial planning usually works?

Coordinate policy objectives of different sectors

Strategic long term vision for territorial development

Methodology: tools to integrate, balance and collaborate

approval of plans and projects strategy directing spatial development

How Spatial Planning implements Natura 2000?

Spatial planning policy

Natura 2000 policy

(Nature Directives)

Land use pressures

•Sectoral legislation •Sectoral plans •Spatial plans

Assessment of impacts of spatial plans and projects

on Natura 2000 (article 6)

Spatial Planning of the Member Sates

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Variety of planning systems with differences in: Priorities embedded in

spatial planning policy regarding nature conservation (scope)

Governance levels at which spatial planning addresses these priorities (competences) Instruments that spatial

planning provides Cross-cutting effect of

spatial planning policy Actors involved

No unified and systematic approach to spatial planning

for Natura 2000!

Spatial planning families in Europe

Integrated Spatial Planning for Natura 2000?

• to maintain the spatial coherence of Natura 2000

• trade-offs between sectoral developments and nature conservation

• to achieve an effective long term implementation process.

SPLAN Natura 2000 findings

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Spatial Planning and Natura 2000: Towards an Integrated Spatial Planning Approach Key messages:

Integration of the Birds and Habitats Directives’ provisions in spatial planning processes is indispensable.

Implementing an integrated spatial planning approach needs progress

Shared governance practices, based on co-ordination and co-operation among different governmental levels and across sectoral policies.

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Key messages:

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Decentralization of spatial planning competences and responsibilities

Local authorities need sufficient administrative and knowledge capacity

Considering land-use development trends and pressures on Natura 2000

Foreseeing mitigation of impacts on the connectivity and functionality of the network.

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Key message:

Ongoing urbanisation, intensification of agriculture and land abandonment.

Future: in peripheral regions land abandonment, renewable energy. In non-peripheral regions, urbanisation, infrastructure, transport, renewable energy, agriculture

In the marine area: extraction of non-living resources, tourism and recreation.

Land use pressures: present and future

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Synergy between sectoral policies, spatial planning and Natura 2000

Key message:

• Evident synergy between sectoral policies and Nature Directive (guidelines for applying integrated spatial planning approaches)

• A number of successful planning practices and lessons learned

• Stakeholder participation and consultation and representation of actors from different sectors.

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Key messages: • Variety of funding measures

to improve the functionality and connectivity of Natura 2000 and enhance synergy between spatial planning processes of the MSs.

• Synergy between different EU

funding instruments in order to enhance the impact of these funds on nature conservation and Natura 2000 implementation

EU funds and Natura 2000

The Natura 2000 network across borders

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• Functional connectivity by cross-border planning.

• Cross-border initiatives not yet a common practice.

• Lack of strategic guidance, transaction costs and understanding of benefits.

• Cross-border collaboration to be embedded in the Habitat and Birds Directives

• Cross border spatial planning for Natura 2000 part of Life+ and Territorial Cooperation.

Spatial planning technologies for Natura 2000

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• GIS tools: reliable information basis and decision-support tools.

• Harmonisation of data, common standards for information use.

• Impacts of development plans on Natura 2000, can be assessed based on different data at different spatial scales.

• Innovative GIS decision-support tools to enhance public participation and solicit wide-range of experts and public opinions.

Key conclusions

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Policy frameworks Natura 2000: an integral part of

long term strategies for spatial planning

Spatial planning systems of the Member States need to be enhanced with regard to the need to implement the Nature Directives ( e.g. Natura 2000 a priority objective within long term spatial plans (5-10 years);

Key conclusions

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Process and Knowledge Development of spatial plans need

to be based on ecological knowledge and principles and be developed by interdisciplinary teams of experts;

SEA, EIA and AA need to be based on sector-specific impact assessment criteria on ecological connectivity (e.g. guidelines per sector, update guidelines).

Early engagement of stakeholders will ensure the quality, legitimacy, and the public support for the plan

Coordination across scales of

planning

Consultation and participation

Stakeholders’

early involvement

Collaboration across sectors

Ecological knowledge on impacts and

measures

Strategic vision

Shared responsibilities

and competences

Institutional

capacity to link strategies with

spatial plans

Decision-support tools

Sectoral developments

Towards an integrated spatial planning approach for Natura 2000!