Message from Reunion Island - European...
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Message from Reunion IslandMessage from the Conference “The European Union and its Overseas Entities: Strategies to counter Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss”, Reunion Island, 7-11 July 2008
INTRODUCTION 3
THEMESSAGEFROMREUNIONISLAND 4
RECOMMENDATIONS 8
A Howshouldweadapttoclimatechange,increasetheresilienceofecosystemsandreducethevulnerabilityofhumanculturesandactivities? 8
B Economicassessmentofecosystembiodiversityandservices:whatroledoesitplayindevelopmentstrategies? 10
C Whichstrategiesshouldbeadoptedtodealwithinvasivealienspecies(IAS)? 11
D HowshouldtheroleofcivilsocietyinenvironmentalissuesintheORsandOCTsbestrengthened? 12
E WhichstrategiesshouldbeadoptedforsustainabledevelopmentresearchintheORsandOCTs? 13
F WhichpartnershipbetweenORs,OCTs,MemberStatesandtheEuropeanCommissionshouldbeadoptedtopromotetheprotectionofhabitatsandspecies? 15
G HowshouldanenergyrevolutionbeachievedintheORsandOCTs? 16
H HowshouldoverseasmarineenvironmentalchallengesbeintegratedintoEUpolicies? 17
I Howshouldregionalcooperationinecologicalchallengesbestrengthened? 18
J WhichsustainablefinancialmechanismscanhelpaddresstheecologicalchallengesfacingtheEU’sORsandOCTs? 19
K MovingtowardsaworkingplatformonecologicalchallengesinORsandOCTs 19
Table of Contents
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Thisdocumentisavailablefordownloadfromwww.reunion2008.eu
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Theconference“The European Union and its Overseas Entities: Strategies to counter Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss”tookplaceinReunionislandfrom7to11July2008.ItwasanofficialeventorganizedundertheaegisoftheFrenchPresidencyoftheEuropeanUnion.
Inlightoftheincreasingchallengespresentedbyclimatechangeandbiodiversityloss,forthefirsttimetheconferencebroughttogetherrepresentativesfromtheEU’s7OutermostRegions(ORs)and21OverseasCountriesandTerritories(OCTs).TheywerejoinedbydelegatesfromEUMemberStates,Europeaninstitutions,selectedSmallIslandDevelopingStates(SIDS),internationalandregionalorganizations,researchinstitutes,civilsocietyandtheprivatesector.
Theobjectivesoftheconferenceweretwo-fold.Ontheonehand,theconferencesoughttoraiseawarenessoftheecologicalwealthoftheEU’soverseasentitiesandofthethreatsfacingthem;andontheotherhand,itsoughttoproposeaEuropeanpoliticalstrategytorespondtothesethreatsthroughconcreteactionincludingadaptationtoclimatechange,developmentofsustainableenergysolutions,biodiversityconservationandecosystemmanagement.
TheMessage,adoptedbyconferenceparticipants,contains21 proposals aimedattheORs,theOCTs,andtheirregionsoftheworld.Itisstrengthenedbyaportfolio of recommended actions and measures resulting from the 11 roundtables and workshops,inwhichmorethan400peopleparticipated.
Conferenceorganisedby:InternationalUnionforConservationofNature(IUCN)
NationalObservatoryontheEffectsofGlobalWarming(ONERC)RegionalCouncilofReunionIsland
MinistryofInternalAffairsandOverseasandTerritorialCollectives,France
Supportedby:MinistryofForeignandEuropeanAffairs,France
MinistryofEnvironment,Energy,SustainableDevelopmentandSpatialPlanning,France
INTRODUCTION
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ConsideringtheexceptionalimportanceofthebiodiversityoftheEuropeanUnion’s7OutermostRegions(ORs)and21OverseasCountriesandTerritories(OCTs)incomparisonwithcontinentalEurope,andtheirvulnerabilitytoclimatechange;
Consideringalsotheimportanceofthesocialandculturaldiversityofthe28ORsandOCTs,andthefactthatbiodiversityprovidesmanygoodsandservicesrepresentingkeyassetsfortheirsustainableeconomicdevelopmentandthewell-beingoftheirpopulations;
ConsideringfurtherthehighdegreeofendemismandthefragilityofthebiodiversityfoundintheORsandOCTs,inparticularthethreatposedbyclimatechangeandother,ofteninterrelated,environmentalfactorssuchasinvasivealienspecies(IAS),overexploitationofresources,pollutionandhabitatdestruction;
Takingaccountalsothesocio-economicconsequencesandrisksofthesethreats,andtheneedtoprovideenvironmentalsecuritytothehumanpopulations,especiallybutnotexclusively,withregardtotheirfoodsupply,health,well-beingandprotectionagainstextremeweatherevents;
ConsideringthatthemaritimeareasoftheORsandOCTsiftakentogetherarethelargestintheworld;
NotingthattheEuropeanUnionanditsMemberStates,whofacemanysimilarenvironmentalthreats,haveanhistoricwindowofopportunitytovaluetheuniqueassetsandexperienceoftheORsandOCTsandmakeanimportantandpositiveimpactontheirbiodiversityandsustainabledevelopment.
Takingintoaccount:
TheEuropeanCommission’sCommunicationsof26May2005“AstrongerpartnershipfortheOutermostRegions”,andof12September2007“StrategyfortheOutermostRegions:achievementsandfutureperspectives”;
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TheBlueBook“AnIntegratedMaritimePolicyfortheEuropeanUnion”anditsActionPlan,adoptedbytheEuropeanCommissionon10October2007;
TheGreenPaper“AdaptingtoclimatechangeinEurope–optionsforEUaction”,adoptedbytheEuropeanCommissioninJune2007;
TheEuropeanCommission’sCommunicationof22May2006entitled“Haltingthelossofbiodiversityby2010–andbeyond”,aswellastheCouncil’sConclusionsonthesamesubjectof18December2006;
ThefinaldeclarationoftheOCTsattheOCT-EUForuminNuukin2006,atwhichtheyrequestedstrengthenedcooperationwiththeEuropeanUnionineffortstoadapttoclimatechangeandmanageoceansandbiodiversity;
The"overseasterritories"elementofthe“MessagefromParis”on“IntegratingBiodiversityintoEuropeanDevelopmentCooperation”approvedbythe“EUGeneralAffairsandExternalRelationsCouncil”ontheproposaloftheEUFinnishPresidencyinDecember2006;
TheResolutionon“Europeanpolicyandbiodiversityinoverseasterritories”adoptedattheThirdIUCNWorldConservationCongressinBangkokin2004;
TheGlobalIslandPartnership(GLISPA)launchedundertheConventiononBiologicalDiversity(CBD)atthe8thmeetingoftheConferenceofPartiesinCuritibain2006andwhoseStrategywasadoptedatthe9thCBDmeetinginBonninMay2008,aswellastheCBDProgrammesofWorkonIslandBiodiversity,MarineandCoastalBiodiversity,andProtectedAreas;
OtherrecentdecisionstakenbytheCBDConferenceofParties,suchasthoserelatingtoclimatechange,invasivealienspecies,andprotectedareas.
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Theparticipantsintheconference“TheEuropeanUnionanditsOverseasEntities:StrategiestoCounterClimateChangeandBiodiversityLoss”,heldonReunionIslandfrom7-11July2008:
ExpresstheirdeepgratitudetothegovernmentauthoritiesandthepeopleofReunionIslandfortheirgeneroushospitalityduringtheConference.Moreover,theypaytributetothepioneeringeffortsofReunionIslandinaddressingthetwinchallengesofclimatechangeandbiodiversityloss,inparticularthroughthecreationoftheReunionIslandNationalParkandbysettingchallengingtargetsinthefieldsofsustainableenergyandcleantransport;
ExpresstheirgratitudetotheInternationalUnionforConservationofNature(IUCN),theRegionalCouncilofReunionIsland,andtheNationalObservatoryontheEffectsofGlobalWarming(ONERC)whohavecollaboratedcloselyandeffectivelytodeliverthisfirstground-breakingConferencebringingtogetheralltheEUORsandOCTs,otherislandrepresentatives,aswellasEUMemberStates,Europeaninstitutions,scientists,regionalandinternationalorganizations,andcivilsociety;
ExpressmoreovertheirgratitudetotheFrenchPresidencyoftheEuropeanUnionforitsgeneroussupportoftheConferenceandforincludingitinitsofficialagenda;
Recognizethatbiologicalandculturaldiversityareessentialforsustainabledevelopmentatthegloballevel;
RecognizemoreovertheuniquecharacterofthenaturalheritageoftheEU’sORsandOCTs,aswellasthethreatsfacingthisheritageandthesustainabledevelopmentopportunitiesitoffers;
Agreethereforeonasetofrecommendations,detailedintheAnnextothisMessage,andinviteallORandOCTstakeholders(theEuropeaninstitutions,allEUMemberStatesandinparticulartheFrench,British,Dutch,Danish,SpanishandPortuguesegovernments,theORandOCTauthoritiesandotherconcernedorganizations)toimplementthem,notingparticularlythat:
ThereisaneedtocontinueraisingawarenessabouttheORsandOCTs,especiallyattheEuropeanlevel,inrelationtotheirparticularsituations,theriskstheyfaceandtheopportunitiestheypresent.
Biodiversitylossandclimatechangecannotbeaddressedeffectivelyunlessthelinkbetweenpeople,biodiversityandclimatechangeisrecognized.Thisrequirestheinvolvementofpolicy-makers,civilsociety,scientists,privatesectorandthegeneralpublic.Targetedcapacity-buildingtailoredtotheneedsoftheORsandOCTs,inadditiontosignificantlyimprovedcommunicationbetweenthescientificcommunity,civilsocietyaswellaspolicyanddecision-makersareessentialtodevelopappropriateresponses.ThechallengesofclimatechangeandbiodiversitylossshouldbeadequatelyintegratedintheEuropeanCommission’s“StrategyfortheOutermostRegions”andtheforthcomingGreenPaper,“FuturerelationsbetweentheEUandtheOverseasCountriesandTerritories”.
Theinvolvementofcivilsocietyinenvironmentaldecision-makingintheORsandOCTsrequiresaphilosophicalshiftandnewapproaches,reflectedinpolicyandpracticeattheEuropean,regional,nationalandlocallevels.Thetechnicalcapacityoflocalorganizationsmustbeenhancedandadvocacystrengthened,andtheyshouldbegivenaccesstospecially-designedfundingmechanisms.Moreoverpublicconsultationsshouldbemademoretransparentandaccessible.
TheORsandOCTsshouldbeusedasout-postedobservatoriesforglobalchangephenomenaandtheirimpacts,includingonbiodiversity,aswellastoresearch,pioneerandassesssolutionsinthecontextofsustainabledevelopment,includingonecosystemmanagement,invasivealienspecies,energy,climatechangeadaptationandsoforth.
Moremulti-disciplinaryresearchintheORsandOCTsshouldbepromotedandfundedwithaparticularfocusonthelinkagesbetweenclimatechangeandhumanwell-beingandtherolethatbiodiversitycanplayinthemitigationofandadaptationtoclimatechange.Agreaterexchangeof
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researchbetweenEuropeancountriesandtheORsandOCTsshouldbefacilitated,andtheORsandOCTsshouldbemoreeffectivelyincorporatedintoEUResearchFrameworkProgrammes.
TheORsandOCTsshouldidentifyfromwithintheirownexperienceinnovativeactionsaimedattacklingtherelatedchallengesofclimatechangeandbiodiversityloss,andshouldsharetheirexperienceandbestpracticewiththerestoftheEUandwiththeirregionalneighbours.
TheMemberStatesconcernedandtheEuropeanUnionshouldpaymoreattentiontothespecificchallengesfacingORsandOCTsininternationalnegotiationsonclimatechangeandbiodiversity.
TheEU,theORsandOCTs,ACPcountriesandSmallIslandDevelopingStatesshoulduniteinthefaceofclimatechangeandbiodiversityloss,byactivelyparticipatingininternationalinitiatives,suchastheGlobalIslandPartnership(GLISPA)andtheCBDProgrammesofWorkonIslandBiodiversity,MarineandCoastalBiodiversity,andProtectedAreas.
SpecificclimatescenariosforeachORandOCTneedtobedeveloped,whichshouldbesupportedbyregionalmodelling;subsequentlyclimatechangevulnerabilityassessmentsneedtobeconductedandadaptationplansdevelopedinalltheORsandOCTs,consideringandinvolvingthevarietyofrelevantsectors,andadaptingexistingtoolsandmethodologies.Finally,theproposedadaptationmeasuresneedtobeimplementedandmonitored.
TheEUandMemberStatesshouldmakestrongerreferencetotheORsandOCTsintheforthcomingEuropeanCommission’sWhitePaper,“AdaptingtoclimatechangeinEurope”,andtotheOCTsintheGlobalClimateChangeAlliance,particularlyconsideringtheimpactsonbiodiversityandsocio-economiesaswellastheriskofenvironmentalmigrations.
Alldevelopmentprojectsshouldbeassessedwithregardtotheirsocialandenvironmentalimpacts,attheidentificationandevaluationstages,andincorporatemitigationand
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compensationschemeswherenecessary;fundingshouldbeconditionaloncompliancewiththisrule.Economicvaluationisone(butnottheonly)importanttoolforinfluencingdevelopmentstrategiesanddecision-making.Theprofileofeconomicvaluationneedstoberaisedandeffectiveprocessesforthecommunicationofresultsneedtobedeveloped.ToolsshouldbeappropriateforthespecificsituationofORsandOCTs.
ThequalityandoverallareaofprotectedareasintheORsandOCTsneedtobeincreasedtoaccommodateclimatechangeimpacts.Theecosystemapproachshouldbeappliedoutsideprotectedareas,andthedegreeofthreatfromotherdirectdriversofbiodiversitylossneedstobereduced.
ThereisanurgentneedforEUMemberStatesandtheEuropeanCommission,togetherwiththeORsandOCTs,toestablishavoluntaryschemefortheprotectionofspeciesandhabitats,inspiredbytheNatura2000approach.Thisschemeshouldbeeasilyaccessible,flexible,adaptedtothelocalsituation,balanceconservationanddevelopmentneeds,aswellastakeintoaccountexistingmechanismsandtools.Theimplementationoftheschemeshouldbebasedonlocalcommitmentandsharedfinancing.
Thereisanurgentneedtohighlighttheimportanceofspeciesconservation,includingoutsideprotectedareas.Thepriorityshouldbegiventogloballythreatenedspecies,howeverlocallythreatenedand/orendemictaxashouldalsoreceivedueattentiontoreflecttheparticularvulnerabilityofislandfloraandfauna.Theelaborationofrestorationormanagementplansisonlyafirststepintheprocess;itmustbefollowedbyeffectiveimplementation.
Networkingamongexistingnationalparksandotherprotectedareasisessentialinordertoharmonizemonitoring,buildcapacity,exchangebestpracticesandsharedata.
Currently,environmentalfundsearmarkedforbiodiversityconservationareinsufficient.Aspecificfundforbiodiversityshouldthereforebeestablishedtofinanceconservationaction,fieldsurveyandmonitoringwork,aswellasresearch
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ontheeconomicvalueofbiodiversity.Trustfundsareneededtosecureconservationmeasuresinthelong-term.
TheenvironmentalimpactofinvasivealienspeciestendstobemuchgreaterintheEU’sORsandOCTsthanincontinentalEurope,resultinginsubstantialsocio-economicrisksandadisproportionatelyhighimpactonwiderEuropeanbiodiversity.Campaignstochangeawarenessandattitudesofpublicandprivatedecision-makersatalllevelsarefundamentaltoimprovingpreventionandmanagementpolicies.TheORsandOCTsshouldbefullyintegratedintothefutureEUStrategyonInvasiveAlienSpecies,andtheconsistencyofotherCommunitypoliciesandactionsenhanced.IASstrategiesthatbuildonIASinventories,monitoringandearlywarningsystemsshouldbedevelopedineachORandOCT.
ThevastmarineandcoastalareasoftheORsandOCTsprovidetheEUanditsMemberStateswithanarrayofremarkableandsometimesuniqueecosystems,fisheriesresourcesandemblematicspecies.Theydeservetobepartofalong-termstrategicvisionthatintegratesbio-geographicaspects,requiringspecialattentioninEUfundingmechanismsandpolicies,inparticulartheMaritimePolicy,inordertoaddressthemanifoldanthropogenicstressessuchasover-exploitationandpollution.SuitablemonitoringofthemarineenvironmentonthebasisofacoherentEuropean-widedatabaseisessentialforthesustainablemanagementofnaturalresourcesandthedevelopmentofclimatechangeadaptationstrategies.Thelistingandprotectionofkeymarinesites,regionallymainstreamedIntegratedCoastalZoneManagement,fisheriesstockassessments,aswellasenhancedcontrolandmanagementoflegalandillegalfishingactivitiesarefurthercriticalelements.
TheEUanditsMemberStatesshouldconsiderenergypoliciesasamajorcomponentinthefightagainstclimatechangeintheORsandOCTsaswellasintheirneighbouringregions.Takingintoaccountdifferencesinpopulationlevelsandsocio-economicactivities,strategiesforenergyautonomyshouldbedevelopedforeachterritorybasedonsustainable
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energyconsumption,significantlyreducedgreenhousegasemissions,andzerodirectnegativeimpactonbiodiversity.Eachterritoryshouldseektodevelopanenergymixwhichincludesenergymanagement,developmentofrenewableenergiesandtheirstorage,andmainstreamingofsustainableenergyintourbanplanning.SpecifictoolsshouldbedeployedtobuildcapacityandmobilizestakeholdersintheORsandOCTs,mostimportantlythroughenergyagencies,privatesectorcompanies,trainingandR&Dfacilities,aswellasspeciallyadaptedlegalandfiscaltools.Inthiscontext,intra-regionalnetworkingtosharebestpracticesandconductjointactivitiesiscritical.
Regionalcooperationisnowrecognizedbyallactorsasbothanopportunityandaresponsibility.Manyoftheissuesrelatedtobiodiversityandclimatechangearemoreeffectivelytreatedataregionallevel;regionalcooperationcancreatemanyopportunities(co-development,exchangeofbestpractice,sharingofskillsandresources,economiesofscale,synergies,etc.)whilealsoincreasingthevoiceofORsandOCTsatagloballevel.TheEU,includingasappropriate,theMemberStates,theORsandOCTs,andrelevantinternationalorganizationsshouldthereforecontinuetostrengthentheirinvolvementinregionalcooperationefforts.PoliciesandpracticesshouldfacilitateandsupportsuchcooperationbetweentheORs,theOCTsandtheirneighboursthroughappropriatelegalframeworks,byimprovinginformationexchangeaswellasenhancingtheroleofexistingregionalstructuresandglobalinstitutions.
Actionshouldbetakenurgentlytowardsthedevelopmentofanetworkofstakeholders,inordertoreinforcethelinkagesandofferopportunitiesforexchangebetweenthedifferentactorsworkingontheORsandOCTs.Moreover,thecreationofsuchanetworkwouldallowthepromotionofknowledgeaboutalreadyexistingpoliciesandfinancialmechanisms,thefosteringofthematicinitiativesatthescaleofallORsandOCTs,andtheimplementationoftheMessagefromReunionIsland.Asseveralsuccessfulplatformsexist,avalue-addedmechanismmustbeidentifiedthatoptimizesoveralleffectiveness.
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Cross-cuttingissues
DevelopspecificclimatescenariosforeachORandOCT,supportedbyregionalmodellingandbuildingonEU-backedresearchprogrammeswhereappropriate.Theseshouldidentifythethreatsposedbyclimatechangeandallowforappropriateadaptationmeasures.
ImproverepresentationofORsandOCTsinrelevantinternationalandregionalfora(e.g.UNFCCCandotherMEAs,includingregionalpreparatorymeetings)andenhanceaccesstoglobal,EUand/orregionalfinancingmechanisms.
RaiseawarenessabouttheORsandOCTs,whereapplicableandappropriate.
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Strengthenscience-to-policycommunicationandbuildawarenessamongdecision-makers,theprivatesectorandthegeneralpublic.
Promote“win-win-win”solutions(thatachievesimultaneouslymitigation,adaptationandbiodiversityconservation).
ConsiderestablishingspecificfundingstreamsattheEuropeanCommissiontoaddressenvironmentalchallengesintheOCTs,toavoidthemhavingtouselimiteddevelopmentfunding(i.e.undertheEuropeanDevelopmentFund)forthispurpose.
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RECOMMENDATIONSA How should we adapt to climate change, increase the resilience of ecosystems
and reduce the vulnerability of human cultures and activities?
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Adaptationplanningandrelatedpolicyrecommendations
EnhancethecapacityofORandOCTgovernments,particularlyinrelationtopersonnelandfinancialmeans,torecognizeandrespondfirmlytothechallengeofclimatechange.
ConductclimatechangevulnerabilityassessmentsandadaptationplansinalltheORsandOCTs,consideringandinvolvingthevarietyofrelevantsectors;adaptingexistingtoolsandmethodologiessuchasthoseoftheUNFCCC(e.g.NationalCommunicationsonClimateChange,NationalActionPlansforAdaptation;withthepossibleinclusionasspecialannexestothereportsoftherespectiveMemberStates);subsequentlyimplementandmonitortheseadaptationmeasures.
Takeintoaccounttheimpactonbiodiversityandecosystemservicesofallmitigationandadaptationplanningandinterventions,usingcost/benefitanalyses,longer-termenvironmentalimpactassessments(20-50years),andholisticapproachesthatintegrateandbalanceenvironmental,socialandeconomic/developmentaspects.
Promotevoluntarycoastal-zonemanagementprogrammesforadaptationtoclimatechangeasatooltobuildecosystemresilience,protectecosystemservicesandsecurelocallivelihoods.
Promoteastrongerreferenceto,orinclusionof,theORsandOCTsintheEuropeanCommission’sWhitePaperonClimateChangeAdaptation(DGEnvironment),andoftheOCTsintheGlobalClimateChangeAlliance(DGDevelopment);giventhatthelattercurrentlyfocusesonclimatechangeadaptationinSmallIslandDevelopingStatesandLeastDevelopedCountries,andinviewofthelimitedresourcesallocated,increasethefinancialresourcesbyanorderofmagnitudetoallowtheirinclusion.
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Placegreaterandmorenumerousareas(includingmoreenvironmentallydiverseprotectedareasandaltitudinalgradients)underconservationregimestoachievethesamelevelofbiodiversityconservationoverthelongterm;applytheecosystemapproachoutsideprotectedareasandreducethedegreeofthreatfromotherdirectdrivers(pollution,overexploitation,habitatloss,invasivealienspecies[IAS]).
Researchandmonitoring
Enhanceandcoordinatehigh-qualityresearchacrossinstitutions,andmonitortheimpactofclimatechangeontheORsandOCTs,avoidingduplicationandimprovingcataloguingsystems,promotingtheopensharingofdataandresources,andtheavailabilityoflong-termdatasets(e.g.viatheEU-JointResearchCentre);considertheestablishmentofanambitiousresearchandknowledgefacilityandlocalandregionalprogrammesonclimatechangeandbiodiversity.
Improveintegrationofsectoralinformationsourcesforclimateresearchincludingdatafromoffshoremonitoringstationsandsatellites,andexpandingisland-basedpilotprojects.
Expediteresearchandensureeffectivedisseminationandimplementationofresearchfindings.
Integratetraditionalandlocalknowledgewithscientificresearchandpromotecommunityparticipationandengagementinlocalmonitoring.
Regionalcooperation
Promotelong-termstrategicplanningandalignmentofprioritiesbetweenandwithinregions,buildingontheworkofexistingregionalorganizationswherepossible.
Prioritizeimprovedcoordinationinthefollowingareas:biodiversity,forestry,tourism,coastalmanagement(includingsea-levelrise),marineandcoralreefmanagement,fisheries,sustainableenergy,foodsecurityanddiseasecontrol.
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Recommendations
Integratetheeconomicvaluationofbiodiversityandecosystemservicesintotheassessmentofalldevelopmentprojects,programmesandpoliciesaffectingtheORsandOCTs.
Usepragmatic,practicaltechniquesappropriatetoORandOCTconditionsforeconomicvaluationandassessmentatprojectandprogrammelevels.
Contributetointernationalenvironmentaleconomicsexercises(e.g.thesecondstageofthestudyonTheEconomicsofEcosystemsandBiodiversity[TEEB]).
Improvecommunicationto,andamong,stakeholdersanddecision-makers,highlightingthelinkagesbetweenpoverty,biodiversity,ecosystemservicesandclimatechange,includingtheneedtointegratebiodiversityconsiderationsintothedevelopment-aidprocessand,whereappropriate,NationalPovertyReductionStrategiesandPlans(NPRS).
Ensuregoodscientificresearchdataarecollected,includingbygovernments,andintegratedintogeo-referenceddatabasesthatlinksocio-economicdataandecologicaldata.
OffertrainingandnetworkingopportunitiestailoredtotheneedsoftheORsandOCTs,inparticularforthoseislandsandothercountrieswithlimitedcapacity;networkingshouldbepredominantlypromotedamongORsandOCTsandotherislandsandterritorieswithintheirregions,whichsharesimilarchallenges.
Coordinatewithotherpartners,inparticularinternationalfinancialinstitutions(suchastheWorldBankandotherRegionalDevelopmentBanks)toensuretheinclusionofbiodiversityconsiderationsinprojectsandprogrammesfundedforthebenefitofsmallislands.
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Specificprojects
Evaluateoptionsforcompensatinglossesofbiodiversityandecosystemservicesresultingfromdevelopmentprojects.OutputsofthestudymaybeusedasmaterialtosupportthedevelopmentofanewEUregulation.
EstablishregionalpilotprojectsinORsandOCTstobuildcapacityintheuseofeconomicvaluationandassessment,andtheirincorporationinnaturalresourceandbiodiversitypolicyanddecision-making.Inparticular,pilotprojectsshouldinvolveeconomicvaluationofwatersheds,coralreefs,mangroves,forestsandotherecosystems,aswellasassessmentoftheeconomicimpactofinvasivespeciesandunsustainablenaturalresourcemanagementpractices.Thepilotprojectswilldevelopmethodologiesandtrainingactivitiesandenabletransferoflessonslearnttootherislandsandregions.Theprojectswillalsoassessthefeasibilityofusingbenefit-transfertechniquesaspartofthedevelopmentofbestpracticesineconomicvaluationandassessment.
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B Economic assessment of ecosystem biodiversity and services: what role does it play in development strategies?
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Recommendationstoallstakeholders
Raisingawarenessandchangingattitudesofdecision-makersatEU,nationalandlocallevels,industryandcommercialstakeholders,andthepublicisfundamentaltotacklingIASproblemsintheORsandOCTs.TargetedcommunicationcampaignsneedtodemonstratehowIASpreventionandcontrolareintegralpartsofbiodiversityconservationandbringlastingbenefitstocommunitiesandtheeconomybysafeguardingecosystemservicesandfunctions.
Strengtheninginter-regionalandintra-regionalcooperationandcapacityisessentialfortimelyandcost-effectiveaction.Wherepossible,thisshouldbuildonexistingregionalmechanismsandpracticaltoolssuchasthosedevelopedbytheGlobalInvasiveSpeciesProgramme.Informationsharingtoanticipatenewthreats,alertneighbouringterritoriesofnewincursionsandprovidetechnicalsupportshouldbeseenasakeyelementofEUandregionalsolidarity.
ComprehensivepreventionpoliciesforORsandOCTsshouldbealignedwithlegislationonexternaltradeandinternalmarketregulations,andcoverimports,exports,managementofintroductionpathways(includingtrade,shippingandaviation)andinternalintroductions(includinginter-islandandmainland-islandmovements).
SpecificrecommendationsaddressedtotheEuropeanCommission
FullyintegratetheORsandOCTsinthefutureEUStrategyonInvasiveAlienSpeciesandensurecoordinationandconsistencyacrossallapplicableCommunitypoliciesandactions.
FortheORs,urgentlydevelopstrictlegalmeasuresconsistentwithArticle30oftheTreatytopreventIASintroductionsdamagingtoislandbiodiversity(e.g.throughuseofadaptedspecies-listingtechniques).
SupportthedevelopmentofinterlinkedIASinventories,monitoringandearlywarningsystemsinallORsandOCTs,buildingonprecedentssuchasDAISIE(DevelopingAlien
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InvasiveSpeciesInventoriesforEurope)andcoveringterrestrial,freshwaterandmarineecosystems.
Supportcoordinatedresearchtoinformplanninganddecision-making(e.g.riskanalysisthatincludesconsiderationofclimatechange,applicationofenvironmentaleconomicanalysistoactivitiesinvolvingriskofintroductionorspreadofIAS,cost-benefitanalysistoidentifyIAScontrolprogrammesthatdelivermaximumconservationbenefitforminimumcost).
MainstreamIASconsiderationsintoallrelevantfundingmechanisms:inparticular,strengthenfinancialsupportforIASprevention,rapidresponseandlonger-termcontrolandrestorationprogrammes,andenablefundingofprogrammescoveringwholebio-geographicregions(whichcouldincludenon-EUcountriesorterritories).
SpecificrecommendationsaddressedtoMemberStatesandlocaladministrations
DevelopanIASstrategyforeachORandOCT,supportedbycross-sectoralcoordinationarrangementsandfullstakeholderinvolvement.
Strengthenthelegalframework,humanresourcesandassociatedequipmentandinfrastructurenecessarytoensureeffectivebordercontrol,includingtaxonomiccapacity.
Integratemeasurestoenhanceecosystemresilienceintosectoralplansandinstrumentsthatimpactonterrestrialandaquaticecosystems,avoidingtheuseinlandscapingandotherland-managementprogrammesofspeciesknowntobeinvasiveinsimilarenvironments.
PrioritizetheamendmentordevelopmentoflegislationtoprovideastronglegalbasisforeradicationorcontrolofexistingIAS,includingferalanimalpopulationsandstrayanimals,anddevelopcollaborativeproceduresandinformationmaterialstoaddressconflictsofinterest.
Takeurgentstepsto(re)createsanctuariesforthreatenedspeciesinsmallislandswhereitisstillconsideredfeasibletoeradicateintroducedanimalsandplantstosafeguardgloballyuniquebiodiversity.
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C Which strategies should be adopted to deal with invasive alien species (IAS)?
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RecommendationstotheEUandnationalagencies
StrengthenandexpandtheparticipationofcivilsocietyinEuropeanpolicyanddecision-makingprocesses.
DesignEUfundingmechanismsandinformationstrategiesthatareaccessibletoawiderrangeofcivilsocietyorganizationsintheORs,OCTsandSIDSandrespondbettertotheneedforlong-termactiontoaddressthemajorenvironmentalandclimatechangeissues;suchmechanismsandstrategiesshouldinclude:
improveddisseminationofinformationaboutfundingopportunitiesintroductionofsmall-grantfundingsimplifiedapplication,administrativeandreportingproceduresprovisionofbettersupportforoperationalandadministrativecostsintroductionoflong-termfinancingmechanismsbroadenedeligibilitycriteriatoincludetraditionalandindigenousformsofcivilsocietyorganisation.
Recommendationstonationalagencies
FacilitatetheimplementationofEUpolicyandfundingmechanismsinamannerthatsupportscivilsocietyinvolvementthrougheffectivecommunication,technicalsupportandfairandtransparentallocationprocedures.
Improve,whereappropriate,thetransparencyandeffectivenessofpublicconsultationsintheORsandOCTsthrough:
moresystematicprocessesforidentifyingandcommunicatingwithstakeholders,moreeffectivefacilitationofcivilsocietyinputs,includingthoseofindividualsnotassociatedwithaformalorganisation,widespreaddisseminationofthefindingsofpublicconsultations,andfullconsiderationoftheoutcomesoftheconsultations;
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D How should the role of civil society in environmental issues in the ORs and OCTs be strengthened?
Ensurethatcivilsocietyorganizationshaveaccesstotheinformationtheyneedtoperformtheirroleeffectively,suchasregularinformationabouttheprocessesandoutcomesofinternationalandintergovernmentalmeetingsandagendas.
RecommendationstocivilsocietyorganizationsintheORsandOCTs
Enhancetechnicalcapacityandstrengthenadvocacythrough:
developmentandenhancementofnetworksofcivilsocietyorganizationsatthelocal,regional,nationalandEuropeanlevelsdevelopmentofstrategicalliancesandpartnershipsbetween:
non-governmentalorganizations(NGOs)andresearchinstitutionscivilsocietyorganizationsandtheprivatesectorlocalcivilsocietyandinternationalorganizations
continuouslyupgradingtechnicalskillswithincivilsocietyorganizationstoenableeffectiveadvocacyandpartnershipforimplementationensuringthatsystematiceffortsaremadetointegrateandcommunicatewiththefullrangeofenvironmentalstakeholders..
Recommendationstoallactors
Design,providefundingforandimplementprojectsaimedatdrawingonanddisseminatinglessonsandgoodpracticerelatedtotheparticipationofcivilsociety,atalllevels.
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Institutional,financialandtoolboxneeds
Establishlong-termmonitoringprogrammesaswellasbiologicalandsocio-economicindicatorsadaptedtotheconstraintsspecifictotheORsandOCTs,tomeasure,modelandpredicttheimpactofglobalchangeonecosystemsandsocio-economicdevelopment.Makethisdatawidelyaccessibleandusable(compatibledatabasesandcollaborativeinternetportals).
OrganizecoordinatedresearchintotheimpactofclimatechangeonbiodiversityintheORsandOCTs.
PromoteandfunddialogueandcollaborationbetweenORandOCTresearchprogrammes(e.g.NetBiome)andsimilarinitiativesdesignedtoestablishresearchprioritiesattheinternationalandregionallevel(e.g.SIDSUniversityConsortium).
Secureaccommodationfacilitiesandadministrativesupport(harmonizedlegislativeframeworkstofacilitateworkpermits,visaswherenecessary,etc.)tofacilitateexchangesbetweenresearchers,inparticularbetweentheORsandOCTs,andbetweentheseandEuropeancountries.
Developcommonprotocolsforconductingresearchandcommunicatingresearchfindingstotheterritoriesandcommunitiesstudied
Developthehumanresourcesrequiredforresearchprogrammesandthefightagainstandadaptationtoclimatechange.
Improvecooperationandexchangewithallrelevantstakeholdersactiveinthefield(localpopulations,naturalists,NGOs,students,protectedareamanagers,etc.).
IncorporateORsandOCTsmoreeffectivelyintoEUframeworkprogrammesandensurethatEUfundingstreamscanbeeffectivelyaccessedtoimplementpriorityresearchintheORsandOCTs(determineregionalcontactpointsforORsandOCTs,representationinprogrammecommittees,specificfunds,etc.).
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E Which strategies should be adopted for sustainable development research in the ORs and OCTs?
Theoverarchingrecommendationistosignificantlyincreasetheamountandscopeofresearchconductedonbiodiversityconservation,climatechangeadaptationandsustainabledevelopmentintheORsandOCTs.Further,moredetailedrecommendationsinclude:
General
DevelopacomprehensiveapproachtowardstheresearchchallengesintheORsandOCTstoensurethatactivitiesimplementedatthelocalandregionalscalesareconsistent.
Promotethemobilizationofcivilsocietyrepresentativesbyinvolvingtheminthedevelopmentofresearchprogrammes.
Communicateresearchfindingsmoreeffectivelytopolicy-makersandcivilsociety,notlimitingthesetopublicationinscientificjournals;createappropriatefundingmechanismsinsupportofthisgoal.
Translatetheresearchresultsintopolicy,particularlyinrelationtospatialplanningandeconomicdevelopment.
Ensurethatsupra-regionalpolicies(States,EU,internationalconventions)reflecttheneedsoflocalpopulationsanddonothavenegativeconsequencesonlocalecosystems.
OptimizeresearchconductedintheORsandOCTsbyfosteringsynergiesandcomplementarities,inordertoovercomethedisadvantagesarisingfromtheirisolation,fragmentationandoftensmallsize.
EnsurethatpublicpoliciesgeneratetheresearchmeansandresourcesnecessarytofightandadapttotheimpactofglobalenvironmentalchangeintheORsandOCTs.
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Specificresearchneeds
Undertakein-depthstudiesintotheimpactsofglobalchangeonthebiodiversityandlocaldevelopmentofeachORandOCT.
Urgentlyundertakeresearchandconservationactionsonthemostvulnerableecosystems(insularmountains,coastsandreefs,ArcticandsubAntarctic).
DevelopcommonmethodologiesformonitoringclimatechangeandbiodiversityinORsandOCTs.
Conductinterdisciplinaryresearchintotheroleofbiodiversityasanindicatorofandadaptationfactortoglobalchange.
Conductresearchtodeveloptoolsandmethodsforbiodiversityconservationandmanagement.
Conductlong-termmultidisciplinaryresearchintotheinteractionsbetweenhumansocieties,naturalecosystemsandexploitedlandsexposedtoclimatechange.
Developalarge-scaleresearchprogrammemobilizingallthestakeholdersconcernedbyORsandOCTs,takingintoaccountthecharacteristicsofthedifferentterritories,toproposeglobalanswerstoenvironmentalchange.
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Recommendationsforthecreationofavoluntaryschemefortheconservationofhabitatsandspecies
Thefirstapproachshouldlookatahigherbio-geographicallevel,subsequentlytobeadaptedtolocalconditions.
Theschemeshouldallowforcontracttoolsaswellasforregulatoryapproaches;existingtoolsshouldbeutilized(e.g.IUCNorCBDapproaches).
Natura2000shouldbeusedforinspiration,butnotnecessarilyviewedasamodelfordirectapplication.
Theschemeshouldbebasedonselectingsitesofparticularinterestratherthanspecificprotectedareas(butthosealreadyexistingmaybepartofthescheme)andbebasedonscientific,andifappropriate,ethicalcriteria;criteriaforselectionofsitesshouldtakeintoaccountthehighlevelofendemismaswellasrepresentativenessofhabitatsandspecies;siteselectionshoulduseprovenmethodologiessuchasBirdLife’sImportantBirdAreas(IBA)orConservationInternational’sKeyBiodiversityAreas.
Theschemeshouldtakeintoaccountrelevancetoislandsandspecificallysmallislands.
Anyfinancialschemeshouldbeeasytoaccess(viaknowledge-basedinformationsystems);accessible,clearlyidentifiedcontactpointsinBrusselsareneeded.
Localauthoritiesplayamajorrolebothinenteringtheschemeandinitslocalimplementation;voluntarycommitmentbylocalauthoritiesiskeytosuccess.
Civilsocietyshouldparticipateinthescheme.
Thereisaneedforcapacitybuilding.
Theschemeshouldallowforbroaderregionalcollaboration(outsideofORsandOCTs).
Itmusttakeintoaccountthelackofdata;thisshouldnotpreventitsimplementation.
Theschemewouldbenefitfromtheexistenceofacoordinationbodyormechanism.
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SpeciesConservation
CoherentuseofRedListsatdifferentscalesisimportanttodefinepriorities,andtheregularupdatingofRedListsisakeyissue.
Fundingiskeytoimplementation.
Betteruseofexistingstudiesandmethods(IUCNandothers)isvital.
IASmanagementisanimportantpartofthestrategy.
Aspecialapproachisneededformigratoryspecies.
Alongwithdefiningprotectionplans,thereisastrongneedforenvironmentaleducationaccompaniedbythenecessarycontrols.
Speciesandtheirdistributioncanbeusedasindicatorsofclimatechangeimpactsandforidentifyingpotentialfuturerefuges.
ThespeciesapproachisalsoawaytoreinforcecooperationbetweenORsandOCTs.
TheEUandMemberStatesshouldnotonlyrepresenttheORsbutalsotheOCTsininternationalforaforspeciesprotection(CITES,CMS,etc.).
Networkingamongexistingnationalparksandotherprotectedareas
Allprotectedareasshouldbegivenanopportunitytojointhenetwork,notonlynationalparks.
Specialattentionshouldbegiventosmallislands.
Thenetworkmustbesustainable(hencenottooambitious).
Capacitybuildingformanagersisakeyissue(especiallyinsmallislands).
Networkingshouldbethematicallyratherthangeographicallyoriented.
Networkingcouldbeintegratedinthevoluntaryscheme.
Networkingcouldallowmonitoringofclimatechangeimpactsonbiodiversity.
MoreattentionshouldbegiventothedevelopmentofalegalframeworkforNationalParks,whereappropriate.
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F Which partnership between ORs, OCTs, Member States and the European Commission should be adopted to promote the protection of habitats and species?
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Recommendations
Undertakeassessmentsoftheenvironmental,socialandeconomicimpactsofallproposedORandOCTenergystrategies.Globalwarmingisanelementthatshouldbeconsidered.OtherissuesincludethedevelopmentofenergysolutionsappropriatetothepopulationandincomelevelofORsandOCTs,accesstoelectricity(developmentofislandgrids),securingtheneedsofthepopulation,jobcreationandenvironmentalcosts.
Involvelocalelectriccompaniesorrelevantenergyprovidersinanambitiouspolicyofdevelopingrenewableenergieswithzerogreenhousegasemissions(e.g.covering,wheretechnicallyfeasible,50%ofelectricityneedsbycleanenergyby2020)andnonegativeoverallimpactonbiodiversity,whilesimultaneouslyaddressingelectricityconsumption(includingdomestic,business,andtourismusage)inordertoachieveenergyefficiency.
Adaptlocalregulationsandurbanplanningprojectstotakeaccountofenergychallenges:forexample,thermalregulationinbuildingstoaffordbetterenergy-efficiencybyusingmeasuressuchassolarwaterheating,wall-insulation,loft-laggingandtripleglazing.Establisheco-neighbourhoodsand/orindustrialeco-zonesthatuseintegratedapproachesthattakeintoaccounttheenergydimensiontogetherwithlandtransportneeds.
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Putinplacelong-termfinancialschemesinvolvinggovernmentsandlocalfinancialinstitutions(developmentagencies),aswellasEuropeanfinancialinstitutions(EuropeanInvestmentBank)withsoftloansadaptedtoneeds,andinvestmentfundsforreinforcinglocallysourcedfunds(privateequity).Regardingthepopulations,subsidiesorfiscalmechanismscanassistinsharinggoodpractice.Therewillbelargeimpactsonthebuildingsector(bothnewandrestored)andtransportsector(promotionofsustainablepublictransport).Loweringthecostsofenergy-efficientsolutionswillrequireeconomiesofscale.
Selectaninstitutionalframeworkcapableofrespondingtothechallengesposedbyclimatechangeandenergyconsumptionusingworkinggroupsmobilizedwithalonger-termperspectiveaswellasforactioninthemediumterm(2010–2015),givingprioritytothetransferofbestpracticesandtechnologies;specializedagencies(“energyefficiencyunits”)dedicatedtotheimplementationofactionsinthefieldofenergyefficiencyandthemanagementofenergyconsumptionmustbeestablishedwithinministriesorelectricitysuppliers.Connectingtheseagenciesmayprovideasolutioninthesearchformaximumeffectiveness(sharingofexperience).
Facilitatenetworkinginislandregions(e.g.cooperationprogrammesintheIndianOcean)tosharebestpracticesandconductjointactivities(e.g.trainingofseniormanagement,researchfacilities).Energyobservatoriesalsoofferpossibilitiesforcollaboration(developmentoftools,monitoringofactionplans).
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G How should an energy revolution be achieved in the ORs and OCTs?
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Recommendations
Definealong-termstrategicvisionthatintegratesbio-geographicaspects,viakeyEUfundingmechanismsandpoliciessuchastheORStrategy,theOCTAssociationclauseandtheEUMaritimePolicy,thatreflectsthegreatimportanceofthemaritimeareasintheORsandOCTsandtheecosystemservicestheyprovide.
Establishandfinanciallysupportaneco-regionalapproachtoprioritizeconservationactions(researchandmanagement)intheORsandOCTsthatwillactivelyengagelocalcommunities,fishermen,andNGOs(e.g.byreinforcingthePOSEIFisheriesProgrammewithanotheronMarineBiodiversity).
Designaspecificinstrumentortooltobuild,manageandprotectarepresentativenetworkofkeycoastalandmarinesitesintheORsandOCTs,complementingtheexistingMarineDirective.SupporttheconservationworkoflocalNGOs.
FullyincorporateIntegratedCoastalZoneManagementasafundamentalaspectofregionalpolicyinislandentities.
EstablishaspecificprogrammeontheintegratedmanagementofcoastalzonesandmarineareasfortheORsandOCTs,bycreatingajointforumtosharebestpractices,developtoolsandpilotprojectsonintegratedplanning.
Increaseresilienceofmarineecosystemsbyaddressinganthropogenicstressesthatwillreducepollution,organicmatterinput,andextractiontolimiteffectsofclimatechange.
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Reachoutmorestronglytothewiderpublic,inordertoraiseawarenessabouttheimportanceoftheORs’andOCTs’marineareas.Communicatethevaluesandchallengesinherenttotheconservationofoverseasterritoriesandsmallislandstates.Raiseawarenessthrougheducation,training,andbyworkingwithNGOs.
Reinforceregionalcooperationthroughdevelopmentandregionalpolicies.
Promotetheestablishmentofagovernancemechanismthatenhancestheinvolvementoflocalcivilsocietyandtheprivatesector;establishregionalmechanismsfordialogueamongdifferentsectorsandstakeholdergroupstoenhancethecoherenceofmaritimeandcoastaldevelopment(e.g.tourism,aquaculture,shipping,fisheries,energy,etc.).
EnsureappropriateconsiderationintheRedListsofemblematicmarinespeciesintheORsandOCTs,recognizingthatmigratorymarinespeciesinparticulararealsopresentinotherjurisdictionsandwillrequiretheEUtoworkinabroadercontext.
EnhancecoordinationandcoherenceofthedifferentEUbudgetlinesatthepoliticallevel,withcleardefinitionsofobjectives.
Inviewoftheproliferationofdifferentcertificationandeco-labellingschemes,fostergreaterintra-regionalandinter-regionalcooperationinordertonegotiateandadoptacommonapproach.
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H How should overseas marine environmental challenges be integrated into EU policies?
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EUCommonFisheriesPolicy,andthesustainablemanagementoffisheriesresources
Conductstockassessments,asakeyelementinsustainablefisheries,focusingondeepseaspeciesaswellasonmigratory,exotic,demersalandpelagicspecies.Researchanddatacollectionshouldbecoordinatedattheregionallevel.
Adoptabio-geographicapproachtofisheriesresourcesmanagement.
Undertakeenvironmentalimpactassessmentforallnewfisheriesandaquacultureoperations.
IncreaseparticipationofORsandOCTsintheEUdecision-makingprocessesonfisheries.
StrengthencapacitybuildingintheORsandOCTsforenhancednegotiationandparticipationintheRFMOs(RegionalFisheriesManagementOrganizations)andsimilarmechanisms.
Raiseawarenessofcivilsocietyofthechallengesoffisheriesmanagement.
ConsiderthecreationofonecentralorseveralRegionalAdvisoryCouncils(RACs)forORs,andexploreoptionstointegraterepresentationfromand/orissuesofrelevancetotheOCTs.
Reinforceorestablishamultilateralapproachforcontrolofillegal,unregulatedandunreported(IUU)fisheriesandregionalcooperationforsurveillanceandcontrol;considerextendingtheveryeffectiveEU-fundedprogrammeforcontroloffishingactivitiesintheIndianOceantootherregions.
ExtendtherecentlyadoptedEUbanonlandingsofillegallycaughtfisheriesproductstothoseORsandOCTswhereitdoesnotyetapply.
Establishpoliticalandfinancialsupportforlocalsmall-scalefisheries.
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Recommendations
TheEUanditsMemberStatesshouldfacilitatenetworkingandcollaborationby:
promotingorcreatingappropriatelegalframeworksthatallowfortheparticipationofORsandOCTsinregionalprogrammesprovidingopportunitiesforexchangeofinformationandexperienceonaregularbasis,includinglow-costcommunicationsystemsworkingwithandstrengtheningexistinginstitutionsandprocesseswithinregions.
TheEUanditsMemberStatesshouldensurethattheirtoolsandcompetencies(centresofexcellence,financialmechanismsandothers)aremadeavailabletotheirpartnerswithinregionsbycommunicatingmoreeffectively.
Processesofregionalcooperationshoulduseandbuildexistingexpertiseandfacilitatetheexchangeofexperiences,skillsandresources.
Regionalcooperationshouldbebasedontheformulationofregionalpriorities,andactorsshouldcommunicatethesetopotentialsourcesofsupport.
Researchandacademicinstitutions,civilsocietyorganizationsandtheprivatesectorshouldplayafullroleinregionalcooperationbybuildingandpromotingpartnership.
Allactorsshouldtakeadvantageoftheopportunitiesofferedbyglobalinstitutionsandinitiatives,suchasGLISPAandIUCN,thathavedemonstratedtheircapacitytocreatenewsynergiesandlinkages.
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I How should regional cooperation in ecological challenges be strengthened?
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RequesttheEUtoworkcloselywithMemberStatesaswellaswithORandOCTstakeholderstoachievethefollowing:
Establishmentofadedicatedfundforbiodiversityconservationtoofferadditionalfinancialsupportforconservationmeasures,fieldsurveysandmonitoringofbiodiversity,aswellasforresearchontheeconomicsofecosystemservicesforpublicbenefitinordertopersuadedecision-makersofitsimportance.
ReviewofexistingfundingstreamsavailablefortheORsandtheOCTsandtheirallocationcriteria,withtheaimofincreasingtheirenvironmentalsustainability.
Environmentalandsocialimpactassessmentsofalldevelopmentprojectsandprogrammesattheidentificationandevaluationstages(conditionoffunding)sothattheytakefullaccountofenvironmentalandsocialconsiderations,andincorporatemitigationandcompensationschemeswherenecessary.
Establishmentoffinancialinstrumentsforsmallprojects;theselectionprocessoftheprojectseligibleforfundingshouldbedelegatedtothelocaldecision-makinglevel.
Raisedawarenessoftheeconomicvalueofbiodiversityandecosystemservicestodifferentlevelsofcivilsocietyandgovernments.
Strengthenedeffectivenessofpublicconsultationbyimprovinglocalprocesses.
CreationofasupportunitintheORsandOCTsforthepreparationofprojectandprogrammeproposalsforsubmissiontofundingorganizations.
Creationoftrustfundstoensureprotectedareamanagementandfurtherconservationmeasuresoverthelongterm.
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J Which sustainable financial mechanisms can help address the ecological challenges facing the EU’s ORs and OCTs?
InthefaceofclimatechangeandbiodiversitylossinORsandOCTs,theparticipantsrecognizetheurgentneedforaflexibleandopennetwork,aiminginparticularatthefollowing:
ContributingtoincreasingawarenessamongallstakeholdersabouttheuniquechallengesfacedbyORsandOCTs.
Supportingandstrengtheningrelations,exchangesandinitiativesbetweenstakeholdersincludingpoliticians,scientists,businesses,civilsociety,andthenumerousandvaluablenetworksalreadyexistingatthelocal,regional,nationalandEuropeanlevels.
IdentifyingkeychallengesandestablishingthematicinitiativesatthescaleofallORsandOCTs,takingintoaccountthosewhichalreadyexistatthelocal,regional,nationalandEuropeanlevels.
FacilitatingdialoguebetweenallconcernedstakeholdersinordertobuildconsensusonpoliciestobedevelopedattheEuropeanlevelandsecuringtheirfunding.
Following-upontheimplementationoftheMessagefromReunionIslandandorganizingfutureworkincollaborationwithallconcernedstakeholders;possiblyorganizinganewevent/conference.
Asseveralsuccessfulplatformsalreadyexist,alightvalue-addedcoordinationmechanismmustbeidentifiedthatoptimizesoveralleffectiveness.
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K Moving towards a working platform on ecological challenges in ORs and OCTs
THEMESSAGEFROMREUNIONISLAND