PWP3 meeting on Environment and Climate Change. 25 September At DEVCO, Rue Joseph II, 54, Room SDR2/00 at 14:00-18:30

Transcription

1 PWP3 meeting on Environment and Climate Change 25 September 2013 At DEVCO, Rue Joseph II, 54, Room SDR2/00 at 14:00-18:30 Chair: Mr. José Valente and Mrs Georgia Galati (DEVCO, Task Force OCT) Co-Chair: Ms. Mira Kleist, Greeland 1. Welcome & adoption of agenda and minutes The agenda of the meeting and the minutes of the last PWP meeting of 11 May 2012 were adopted. 2. State of play since last PWP3 Greenland (GL) representative gave a presentation of events and activities that had taken place following the previous PWP 3 meeting, mentioning inter alia the Green Growth -seminar arranged by Greenland in the facilities of the European Parliament in July The seminar had provided an opportunity for interaction between the OCTs and several stakeholders with an interest in the topic. Furthermore, she highlighted the content of the OCT Ministerial resolution, which was adopted in the context of the 12 th OCT-EU Forum in Ilulissat, Greenland (September 2012). The resolution was among other focused on the sustainable development of the OCTs, but also emphasised the need for means to implement actions to facilitate this. She also provided information on OCT participation in relevant fora and conferences, highlighting the increasing presence of OCTs in such events. TF OCT indicated that a lot has changed since last PWP in OAD is about to be adopted, with new paradigm placing emphasis on a reciprocal relation between the EU and OCTs, based on mutual interests such as the environment, biodiversity and climate change The new programming period provides the possibility for establishing new priorities in the EU-OCT cooperation. In this context, two studies are being conducted: Environmental profiles of OCTs and Renewable Energy and Green policy in OCTs. 3. Climate change and EUs 2015 international agreement on climate change DG CLIMA representative gave a presentation of the EU s perspective on a future international agreement on climate change to be reached in He recalled that a consultative communication (COM (2013) 167 final) was launched in March 2013, to which two OCTs, namely Aruba and French Polynesia, have responded. He stressed that compared to Member States (MS), some OCTs had ambitious goals and actions. In this context, he highlighted the vision of Aruba to become independent of fossil fuels by 2020 and the objective of French Polynesia to reduce CO2 per capita emissions to 1.8 tonnes by 2050.

2 Furthermore, it was noted that OCTs are also facing specific challenges such as vulnerability to climate change impacts as small island states; dependence and vulnerability to hydrocarbon imports; challenges and opportunities of developing local energy resources and access to funding. To address these challenges, the proposal is to enable the access of OCTs to the various international funding mechanisms and in particular to ensure their participation in international carbon market (Emission Trading Scheme). Discussion: GL representative indicated that it will be interesting to follow up how this agreement will be applicable to OCTs and the ensuing discussion with MS to include OCTs in their objectives. 4. Presentation of the environmental strategy of BVI British Virgin Islands (BVI) representative made a presentation of the BVI environmental strategy. She noted that objectives highlighting sustainable development such as mitigation, adaptation, and resilience are integrated in all public policies of BVI and various sectors are concerned (tourism).she also indicated that a national fund has been created in order to finance climate change projects in BVI. The role of government in this context is mainly the change in mind-set. BVI representative stressed that compared to CARICOM countries, OCTs are not eligible to most of the funding sources available. The main funding possibilities are Member States (United Kingdom) and European Union. Due to this financial constraint, BVI representative informed that the government of BVI is focusing on the mobilisation of the private sector investment (e.g. foreign investors and financial services), through the required participation in and support of the BVI environmental strategy. Discussion: DG CLIMA asked more details regarding the fund created in BVI as well as regarding carbon neutral development. BVI explained that the fund is financed mainly by private funding from BVI and UK companies. Regarding carbon neutral development, BVI expressed their view that development of tourism and environment protection may be combined. It was furthermore indicated that a trial to provide carbon-neutral tourism had been launched on one of the leasst inhabited islands in BVI. 5. Study on the Environmental profiles of OCTs TF OCT recalled that, as already discussed in several partnership (tripartite) meetings, the study on the Environmental profiles of OCTs which was conducted in 2007 was in need of updating. The update of the environmental profiles will be funded via TCF III; the contract has already been awarded and signed and the study launched. TF OCT thanked OCTs for their contributions and indicated that COM has tried to accommodate as much as possible the comments provided by OCTs and Member States on the Terms of Reference (ToR). She also indicated that a letter will be sent to OCTs in order to sensitize OCTs on the need of close cooperation with the consultants in the preparation of this study, which will be instrumental for the programming exercise for the forthcoming period. Discussion: GL representative indicated that according to OCTs, the consultation on the draft ToR, which had been done in July, did not provide the OCTs with sufficient time to prepare and to consult experts in their respective Ministries, since the majority of the relevant people were on annual leave during the month of July. Concerning the previous study from 2006, she enquired into

3 what lessons learnt had been drawn from this study, how it had been used and whether it had facilitated any funding to or awareness in MS and OCTs. OCTA representative stressed that it is important that political authorities in OCTs are aware about the study. In that respect, it was suggested that a letter should be sent to OCTs by COM. Moreover, she indicated that the questionnaire which will be prepared for the study should be adapted to the specific characteristics of each OCT. She supported GL in saying that it would have been better if OCTs would have had more time in July to provide comments on the ToR for the study. TF OCT took note of the comments made by GL and OCTA concerning the time made available to for comments on the ToR by OCT/MS/OCTA and clarified that this was motivated by the will to start the contract in September and to obtain the results of the study as soon as possible thereafter, since the outcome will be useful for the programming exercise of the 11 th EDF. The purpose of the study is to serve as a detailed technical document available for OCTs when defining their policy agenda and designing actions and strategies to mitigate the impact of e.g. climate change. Furthermore, the study will facilitate the discussions regarding the programming of the 11 th EDF. Concerning the usage of the profiles from 2007, they had served as basis for some regional programmes under the 10 th ED (Indian Ocean: Mayotte and TAAF, Pacific: INTEGRE). Moreover, TF OCT highlighted that this stock-taking exercise of national policies and strategies will constitute an important instrument in order to provide the necessary background information OCTs on the most appropriate response to the challenges with which OCTs are faced. TF OCT also stressed that OCTs and MS will be closely associated to the preparation of the study and will be dully consulted in the different step leading to the final report. TF OCT also signalled that the technical assistance provided to OCTA should streamline discussions among OCTs and disseminate information among OCTs, for instance by publishing all material on OCTA website. 6. BEST III and examples of OCT participation in horizontal programmes DG ENV representative informed the participants that the call for proposal under the BEST III is still on-going so no news can be announced yet. Under BEST scheme currently running, OCTs have participated with 16 projects. In the presentation, she mentioned several projects implemented in the OCTs such as in Mayotte, La Reunion, French Polynesia and New Caledonia. OCTA representative made a presentation on the NETBIOME project which is being implemented in New Caledonia with EU funding. DG RTD representative provided additional information concerning the research and innovation programmes which are financed by the EU and could be of interest to OCTs. Discussion: OCTA representative requested when the information on future programmes such as LIFE or DCI will be available for OCTs and MS in order to prepare as well as possible the applications. TF OCT replied that at this stage, discussions between the European Parliament and the Council are still on going and no agreement has yet been reached on the MFF envelopes. For each instrument there will be a programming exercise setting out priorities and themes for the cooperation. OCTs as

4 stakeholder among other can express their views, via the OCT Task Force, to the relevant Commission services. DG ENV informed that that the final decision regarding LIFE has not been adopted yet, hence no information could be given. DG RTD informed the participants that the working programmes for the next Framework Programme (Horizon 2020) have been submitted to MS but the final approval is still needed. DG DEVCO representative informed participants that under DCI, new thematic programme global Public Goods and Challenges has been created, focusing on the environment and natural resources but no concrete information can be communicated yet, since discussions are still ongoing. TF OCT added that per every instrument, COM had to conduct an Impact Assessments (IA). These IA are public and can be a good basis for the OCTs to obtain information about the likely scope and activities that will be covered by the different EU programmes. Relevant stakeholders will be involved in the discussion of the annual priorities of those instruments. In this context, OCTs can participate in these consultations expressing, for instance, their views to the MS that they are linked to.. Finally, OCTA can also prepare position papers where conveying points that they consider important for OCTs. 7. Study on Renewable Energy and Green Policy in the OCTs Under this point, a presentation was initially made by the president of the state company Utilities Aruba, of a renewable energy project under implementation in Aruba. The objective of Aruba is to reach full sustainability and reduce the part of heavy fuel oil in energy consumption, by replacing them with alternative energy source, such as natural gas, wind and solar energy. It was highlighted that the sustainability is not only a goal in the energy sector but also in other sectors (e.g. tourism) and the emphasis of the project is to identify the lessons learned and implement them on other sectors over time. Discussion: TF OCT welcomed the positive results already achieved in Aruba. OCTA and COM has a role to play in the dissemination of this type of experience among OCTs, to ensure the sharing of best practices. Following the presentation of the project in Aruba, the Study on Renewable Energy and Green Policy was presented. It was noted that it was conducted with the objective to: Provide an analysis of the current situation of the energy sector in the OCTs, Assess the applicability and relevance to OCTs of the new developments in alternative energy production, Identify the best practices and knowledge existing in the field of renewable energy (RE) within the OCTs and those to be further considered for implementation in the various OCTs. The study provides a roadmap for OCTs, taking into account denominators such as energy supply security needs, deployment costs, required regulation changes and ability to attract private investors.

5 According to this study, OCTs can be divided into groups with similar characteristics and follow specific recommendations. A set of common recommendations have been identified: Pragmatism and efficiency in the institutional framework Appropriate regulatory framework leaving room for private sector mobilization and partnership with public bodies through promotion of PPPs scheme Regular Donor coordination meetings and strengthening fund raising expertise Develop capacity building in project finance Organise networking between OCTs actors (OCT s energy network) First priority should be Energy Efficiency Some RE technologies are less expensive than conventional: new areas of expertise need to be acquired by local practitioners regarding these technologies OCTs are an ideal field for testing specific technologies and wide RE penetration RE roadmap designed according to energy supply security needs, deployment costs, required regulation changes, ability to attract private investors Organise a structured green deal business dialog with the stakeholders and decision makers of each OCT in order to fix realistic plans (ready to be implemented) Discussion: TF OCT welcomed the interesting roadmap proposed in the study. However, he highlighted that the recommendations should not only be addressed to the OCTs but as well to MS to e.g. fill gaps and provide coaching to OCTs in policy formulation or implementation aspects. He noted that the OCTs will be consulted and will have the opportunity to react on the recommendations presented in the report, before its finalisation by the consultants GL representative indicated that for instance in the case of Aruba, many recommendations are already implemented and wondered what the added value of the study is for those OCTs with policies already in place. She noted that the recommendations will be transmitted for comments to the Greenlandic experts. She also expressed the opinion that the recommendations are rather vague and not sufficiently enough taking into account specificities of OCTs and indicating how OCTs can do better in practice. GL also added that it is difficult to see how these recommendations can be easily translated into practise. He noticed some misrepresentations of policies which could have been avoided by more direct contacts with local administrations. TF OCT informed that OCTs will have time to comment on the report before the final submission and it is always possible to correct any information that is not relevant. 8. Closing of the PWP TF OCT concluded by recommending that in the following PWPs, more speakers from OCTs should be present, in order for them to share their experience and make presentations of concrete results and projects. It was also suggested that the agenda should be less ambitious in order to allow for more detailed discussions.

6 BVI agreed with the suggestions made, highlighting that the two last presentations were the most useful, as they provided with practical examples and ideas for consideration. Co-chair concluded by saying that there had been a lot of issues which needed to be discussed, since it had been more than a year since the last PWP, with a lot of developments relevant to the agenda. In that context she took the opportunity to call for a meeting of the PWP as soon as possible, to build on the fruitful discussions of this PWP. TF OCT indicated that next PWP could take place in early 2014, at which point the Overseas Association Decision for the period will be in force,, the financial envelopes of the instruments will be known and the programming exercise under the 11 th EDF can start. Annex: list of Participants

7

8