Kick-Off Meeting

Biodiversity and Climate Change/ 27/10/2009

FIFTH MEETING OF THE AD HOC EXPERT WORKING GROUP ON BIODIVERSITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE European Commission, 27 October 2009, Room C, DG ENV, Beaulieu 5 9:30 – 17.00

MINUTES

The Commission welcomed the participants and opened the meeting informing about the new organization chart of DG Environment which came into force on 1 October 2009. The former Nature and Biodiversity unit DG ENV B2 has been split into 2 units: B2 Biodiversity and B3 Natura 2000.

1) Adoption of the draft agenda It was suggested to join the information items 6.1 and 6.2 and two additional information items were included: Outcome of the 5th Biodiversity in Europe Conference (new item 6.6) and information on the report "Working with Nature to Tackle Climate Change", resulting from the ENCA adaptation group work shop on "Developing ecosystem-based approaches to climate change – why, what and how" (new item 6.7).

2) Adoption of the draft minutes of the 3rd and 4th meetings The minutes of the 3rd and 4th meetings were adopted.

3) Update on what happened since the last meeting 3.1. Discussion Paper – Towards a Strategy on Climate Change, Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity. At its fourth meeting on 15 July the EU Ad Hoc Expert Working Group intensely discussed the revised document and after a further electronic consultation round the document was completed. The resulting document was sent on 23 July 2009 to Group Members and copied to the members of the Co-ordination Group for Biodiversity and Nature (CGBN). It was addressed in the "Rolling Workplan 2009, October 2009 Progress report" which was distributed to CGBN for its meting on 16 October 2009. The content of the discussion paper provides input for the Commission Communication on "Post 2010 Biodiversity Vision and Targets" and accompanying documents which are currently being developed. The discussion paper is available on the DG ENV website: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/pdf/discussion_paper_climate_change.pdf 3.1.1. High-level Conference on "Visions for Biodiversity beyond 2010 – People, Ecosystem Services and the climate crisis". The discussion paper was presented during workshop 1 "Biodiversity, Climate Change and Development" at the High level meeting: "Visions for Biodiversity beyond 2010 – People, Ecosystem Services and the Climate Crisis" (Strömstad, 7-9 September 2009) organised by the SE Presidency. Members of CBD Bureau Members and the CBD Executive Biodiversity and Climate Change/ 27/10/2009

Secretary, who attended this workshop, welcomed the paper. The presentation is available on CIRCA. http://circa.europa.eu/Public/irc/env/biodiversity_climate/library? l=/meeting_october&vm=detailed&sb=Title 1

4) Results of the DG ENV service contract on "Biodiversity and Climate Change in Relation to Natura 2000" The 2 years study “Biodiversity and Climate Change in relation to Natura 2000” included 4 tasks: Task 1: Impacts of climate change on EU biodiversity: evidence and modelling results Task 2: An Assessment Framework for climate change vulnerability of Natura 2000 Task 3: Assess the impacts of climate change on Natura 2000 species and network (using the assessment framework) Task 4: Impacts of wind, marine and hydro renewable energy infrastructures on biodiversity in the EU In addition recommendations for policies and measures have been developed to maintain and restore biodiversity in the EU in the face of climate change. Biomass/biofuel issues have not been included in the study and it did not investigate legal aspects. The study covered 1/4 of the species of Community interest (212 out of 869 species listed in the Annexes for Bird and Habitats Directives). The resulting task reports will be made available soon. The presentation is available on CIRCA. http://circa.europa.eu/Public/irc/env/biodiversity_climate/library? l=/meeting_october&vm=detailed&sb=Title

During discussion the following issues were raised: General Protected Areas e.g. Natura 2000 are the core of nature conservation. They provide space for nature, which under changing climate conditions becomes even more important. The species protection pillar of the Nature Directives also concerns species outside protected areas. The quality of “green areas” between the nature conservation sites is crucial.

1 In case the direct link does not work go to the CIRCA group page http://circa.europa.eu/Public/irc/env/biodiversity_climate/home , tick the library tag and open the folder "meeting of 27 October 2009" Biodiversity and Climate Change/ 27/10/2009

The current nature conservation is mainly based on species and habitats. Without loosing the purist nature conservation approach, utilitarian aspects via the consideration of ecosystems services as well as of ways addressing the dynamics of the system under climate change are needed. The increase of renewable energies can be an opportunity for nature conservation and contribute to increase the quality of sites provided “win win” situations are actively sought and promoted. The reduction of other environmental pressures is a major and powerful adaptation measure. The "adaptive capacity constraint" (a combination of climate change impact, sensitivity, adaptive capacity and habitat availability) needs to be studied further. Recovery of nature is possible2. In fact every extinction event has been followed by a “new” system. However, we don’t know what will be the “new system” after the extinction phase which we are currently undergoing. It is possible/likely that ecosystem services human societies depend on may be lost. Energy supply needs to be decentralised and transport losses will be decreased. The “smart grids” combined with wind and solar energy production, using the most suitable locations, may become the solution for the future. To avoid negative impacts on biodiversity from wind energy projects the site selection is crucial. Freshwater systems are the most threatened. Methane emissions through anaerobic discharges, in particular during the construction phase, risk offsetting GHG targets. The “Severn barrage” is very controversial. It will supply 5% of UK energy demand and a certain flood defence benefit is expected, but it would imply the loss a unique nature areas including a number of Natura 2000 sites. The main driver is to produce renewable energy, other drivers include investments and testing new technology. However, may be one could find better sites elsewhere and there may be other alternatives that could be explored. Hydropower has a big impact on the environment. Many dams are currently used only for water storage. The policy analysis led to the conclusion that ring-fenced funding for nature conservation and ecosystem-based approaches would be necessary. The updating of the Natura 2000 database is considered difficult. National experts sometimes have distribution maps of ecological habitats.

Room for improvement, shortcomings of the present study

2 There are quite a number of publications on recovering capacities. Biodiversity and Climate Change/ 27/10/2009

There is a lack of data in particular for the Macronesian and Mediterranean geographic region. Although it is obvious that islands and the Mediterranean are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, data gaps need to be filled. While there are a number of species models, “habitat modelling” is very complex, expensive and not [yet] widely available. Current models do not include extreme events. The data used take into account only climate change impacts and not combined impacts. Not all species groups have been taken into account, e.g. mammals are missing. The different timescales and geographical scales of data make their use difficult. Simplifications are necessary. The gaps need to be marked. There were geographical studies on wind and marine energy projects, but not on dams. There are about 1300 dams in Europe which produce electricity, but it was not possible to map out dams all over Europe. It is also difficult to get precise and reliable information about future dams in particular in eastern and south-eastern European regions. Water rights constitute an additional complication. Many of the dams are over-aged technology. A lot of investment could go into retro-fitting, rather than building new dams. The retro-fitting can be combined with nature conservation actions. This is the best state of the art. Existing information contains contradictions, as “expert judgements” are subjective. Discussions are necessary. The communication with the climate change community remains a key challenge.

Relevant ongoing work and reports A study on oak forest is soon to be available. It tries to understand – inter alia - the speed of recovering of the forest after the ice age. First results demonstrate that exchange of genetic properties occurred. This underlines the importance of genetic properties. Genetic diversity must not be overlooked. The Co-ordination Action “CONGRESS” supported under FP7 investigates – inter alia – the importance of genetic diversity for nature conservation. The "MACIS book" will be available soon. It is based on the detailed report on adaptation and mitigation measures in various sectors and their impact on biodiversity. (See http://www.macis-project.net/MACIS-Deliverable-2.2-2.3-Oct.2008.pdf and on CIRCA) A number of reports have been commissioned by the Group of Experts on Biodiversity and Climate Change under the Bern Convention. These include the report on “Protected Areas and Climate Change” by M. Araujo, the report on "Plants and Climate Change" by V Heywood and the report on "Invertebrates and Climate Change" by R Wilson. All Biodiversity and Climate Change/ 27/10/2009

reports are available on CIRCA http://circa.europa.eu/Members/irc/env/biodiversity_climate/library?l=/meeting_october . Integrated risk assessments are necessary. The ALARM3 project (5 years, Integrated Research Project under FP6) on “Assessing large scale environmental risks with tested methods on biodiversity” has investigated into climate change, environmental chemicals, biological invasions, pollinator loss and socio-economic aspects and their interactions. The project CLIMSAVE on "CLimate change Integrated assessment Methodology for cross-Sectoral Adaptation and Vulnerability in Europe" (3 ½ years research project under FP7 just starting) will develop and apply an integrated methodology for stakeholder-led, climate change impact and vulnerability assessment that explicitly evaluates regional (sub-national) and continental scale adaptation options, and cross-sectoral interactions between the key sectors driving landscape change in Europe (agriculture, forests, biodiversity, coasts / floodplains, water resources, tourism, urban development and transport). Existing sectoral impact models will be linked within a common assessment platform that is user-friendly, interactive and web-based. Stakeholder needs will be taken into account in the design of the platform through a series of professionally facilitated workshops to ensure an appropriate level of complexity, functionality and usability. The integrated assessment platform will use metrics of impacts and adaptive capacity across sectors to identify hotspots of climate change vulnerability. The attributes and cost- effectiveness of adaptation strategies for reducing these vulnerabilities will be evaluated, including assessment of cross-sectoral benefits and conflicts. Methods for reducing uncertainties and increasing the transparency of model and scenario assumptions will be implemented within the integrated assessment platform to inform the development of robust policy responses The SEBI process includes a climate change-biodiversity indicator which needs to be developed further. The European Topic Centre on Climate Change is in the second year to develop adaptation indicators. This also includes a conceptual framework and adaptation principles. Specific indicators for biodiversity conservation shall possibly be published by the end of 2010. Indicators on resilience are also necessary.

5) Member State Experiences FR provided an update on the work towards the national plan for climate change adaptation which is to be elaborated by 2011: the interministerial group on "Impacts of climate change, adaptation and associated costs", within which a "subgroup" on biodiversity had been constituted, has handed in its final report, now available online (http://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/-ONERC-.html). A multi-stakeholder consultation process will then be launched in December and run throughout 2010; biodiversity will be addressed within a sub-group dealing with cross-cutting issues. A 6-7 months study will be commissioned in order to gather and analyse the knowledge on the impacts of climate change on biodiversity in France (including overseas territories) and identify knowledge gaps. An increasing number of openings for and interest in biodiversity issues is also noticeable from the department in charge of the climate change negotiations.

3 http://www.alarmproject.org Biodiversity and Climate Change/ 27/10/2009

The UK reported new legislation and a number of recent initiatives:

The Scottish Government has adopted a Climate Change Act which came in to force in August 2009. www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/climatechange/scotlands- action/climatechangeact

Scottish Natural Heritage has produced: "Climate change and the natural heritage - SNH's approach and action plan". An implementation plan for this is now being worked on and should be available soon under www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/corporate/ClimateChange.pdf

The Environment Agency (for England and Wales) has begun to compile and publish practical examples of climate change adaptation. See www.environment- agency.gov.uk/research/planning/108348.aspx

The UK is undertaking a Climate Change Risk Assessment which will provide all UK Administrations with the evidence and analysis needed to: * Understand the level of risks (threats and opportunities) posed by climate change (likelihood and scale of impact). * Compare the risks of a changing climate with other pressures on the Government. * Prioritise adaptation policy geographically and by sector. * Assess the costs and benefits of adaptation actions and support the case for resources for these.www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climate/adaptation/assess-risk.htm#assessment

In the lead-up to CoP15 of the UNFCCC, colleagues dealing with the climate change negotiations are keen to start thinking how best to capture biodiversity considerations in the Copenhagen text.

NL informed about its adaptation strategy adopted in 2007, followed by the Delta committee. This committee has been established with the focus on water issues (e.g. safety, availability) because more than half of the country is below sea level. The committee has launched its report in 2008, e.g. by proposing an Adaptation Fund of 1 billion euro's a year. The proposals are currently in discussion. In addition, adaptation has been evaluated in a broader context to make NL "climate proof" in a smart way. For example, about 40% of the "ecological network" needs to be allocated before its completion in 20184. Assigning the areas in a smart way in coming years can contribute to a more climate robust nature. NL also informed about the report "Growing within limits" prepared by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency for the Global Assembly 2009 of the Club of Rome. It is available on CIRCA. http://circa.europa.eu/Public/irc/env/biodiversity_climate/library? l=/growing_limitspdf/_EN_1.0_&a=d

4 The establishment of the network (called EHS) has been proposed already in 1990. Already at that stage 2018 had been proposed as a moment that the network should be ready. After that it never had been questioned. As such, the EHS always had been a policy target. In 2006 it even became a law after the launch of the "Nota Ruimte" (in English National Spatial Strategy', see http://www.vrom.nl/pagina.html?id=2706&sp=2&dn=6070 ). This became a legally binding document. As such also the establishment of the EHS is now a law. Biodiversity and Climate Change/ 27/10/2009

BE pointed out that a special working group identified policy options for forest adaptation to climate change, the possible contribution of the forest sector for climate change mitigation and developed recommendations for forest management under climate change5.

6) Information points 6.1. CBD AHTEG on biodiversity and climate change, final report and planned activities and UNFCCC COP15 planned side-events The CBD secretariat plans a number of activities during the UNFCCC COP 15 in Copenhagen: Launching of the CBD Technical Series: Report of the Ad hoc Technical Expert Group on Biodiversity and Climate Change (CBD AHTEG); Brochure on the "Main Messages from the CBD AHTEG"; CBD Technical Series: Biodiversity and Climate Change – a review of available literature; International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) Literature. In addition the secretariat plans to host a side event on "Linking biodiversity and climate change – results of the deliberations of the CBD AHTEG, a launching event of the CBD website on ecosystem-based adaptation and a press event on the findings of the CBD AHTEG during the High-Level Segment – with ministerial representatives from the host governments of the CBD COP9 and COP10 presidencies (Germany and Japan). Besides a number of statements are foreseen (during SBSTA, agenda items: Nairobi work programme and REDD, and during the High Level Segment (provided statements from heads of organisations are permitted). The SE Presidency and the Commission will host a joint side event on “Climate Change, Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity – Ecosystem-based approaches convenient solutions ready for use" on Saturday, 12 December, 13h-15h. The draft agenda so far includes presentations by the Stockholm Resilience Centre "The role of biodiversity in the light of the climate crisis", by the SE Presidency on the results of the Strömstad Conference and by the Commission – inter alia - on the discussion paper. On behalf of PaCFA – Partnership for Climate, Fisheries and Aquaculture – EBCD - European Bureau for Conservation and Development – applied for a side-event in Copenhagen on: “Fisheries, aquaculture and aquatic systems in a changing climate”. The event will present the implications of climate change for sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture and its impacts on food and livelihood security.

6.2. Information on UNFCCC negotiation meetings A short debriefing was provided on recent negotiation meetings. After the Bangkok meeting (28 September – 9 October) the status of the negotiations was described as follows: The “negotiation text” for the Copenhagen agreement has been consolidated further. For more information see under http://unfccc.int/meetings/items/4381.php .

5 For the Walloon Region of Belgium Biodiversity and Climate Change/ 27/10/2009

Disagreement remained on a number of decisive issues: one "negotiation track" favoured by US and EU versus "two negotiation tracks" (Kyoto and Convention tracks), favoured by developing countries who fear “loosing achievements of Kyoto; financing (the only concrete offer on the negotiation table was the Commission Communication); funding mechanisms: developing countries favour a fund managed by the UNFCCC and filled by the developed countries (~ 1% of GDP), EU suggests to use existing structures, US suggests a "Global Climate Fund" with voluntary pledges, Mexico suggests a "Green Fund"; emission targets (only very few concrete offers – EU 20% up to 30%; Japan 25%; Norway 40%, altogether this leads to 17% reduction by 2020, which is still very far away from the targets suggested by scientists as necessary to avoid “dangerous climate change”. The issue of the "assigned amount units" (AAUs) (reduction surpluses which remain from the breakdown of the heavy industry in the former Eastern Block) remains unsolved. The REDD issue was further consolidated in relation to "environmental safeguards" including biodiversity. However, it is still not clear whether the option will be REDD or REDD + (including sustainable forest management). The adaptation text was considerably shortened. A successful outcome in Copenhagen needs commitment and involvement of Heads of State. The DK chief negotiator stepped down. Denmark has a "Ministry of Climate". Climate change is a “Prime Minister’s issue”.

6.3. Intergroup "Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development", European Parliament (presentation by EBCD representative) Established in 1994, the European Parliament Intergroup on Sustainable Development was renamed into Intergroup on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development in February 2009. The secretariat is provided by EBCD (European Bureau of Cooperation and Development) and IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). The Intergroup is a cross-party and cross-committee platform of discussion for Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to learn, discuss and create policies related to climate change and biodiversity. In addition to MEPs, it brings together key stakeholders, NGOs, renowned scientists, experts as well as representatives of the Commission and the Presidency. The proposed Intergroup on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development includes 8 subgroups (Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Energy & Industry, Tourism & Transport, Mountains, Islands & sparsely populated regions, Co- operation and Development, Water & Nature Conservation). Each subgroup has its own agenda and chair which does not prevent from organising joint meetings. Intergroups have to be renewed by the newly elected European Parliament. To this end, the Intergroup has to get the support of at least 3 political groups. There are ~ 200 proposals for intergroups out of which 21 will be retained. On 19 November the Intergroup will organise an event in the EP on “Climate Change – Towards an ambitious agreement in Copenhagen?”. Among other issues, the conference will touch upon the linkages between climate change and biodiversity. Biodiversity and Climate Change/ 27/10/2009

The presentation of this information item is available on CIRCA http://circa.europa.eu/Public/irc/env/biodiversity_climate/library? l=/meeting_october&vm=detailed&sb=Title

6.4. UN CBD COP 10 UN CBD COP 10 will be held in October in Nagoya in Japan. "Biodiversity and Climate Change" is on the agenda as an issue for in depth consideration.

6.5. EU post 2010 ongoing work The Commission is currently preparing a Communication “Post 2010, Biodiversity vision and targets”. The main challenge is to step up the momentum and overcome the shortcomings of 2010 target “Halting Biodiversity Loss”. The climate change- biodiversity linkage is set to play a major role (see also item 3.1.) The Communication is to be adopted in early 2010. 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity, which shall help to set the biodiversity issue high on political agendas.

6.6. Outcome of the 5th Biodiversity in Europe Conference (presentation by CEEWEB representative) The presentation is available on CIRCA http://circa.europa.eu/Public/irc/env/biodiversity_climate/library? l=/meeting_october&vm=detailed&sb=Title Biodiversity and climate change, value of ecosystem services and tipping points may be the major themes of the next Biodiversity Europe Conference, which may be held in 2011 in Kazakhstan.

6.7. Report "Working with Nature to Tackle Climate Change", resulting from the ENCA adaptation group work shop on "Developing ecosystem-based approaches to climate change – why, what and how" The workshop “Developing ecosystem-based approaches to climate change – why, what and how” brought together participants from ENCA members, NGOs and international organisations, and researchers to provide a wide range of experience and views. The report includes the results of the discussions which took place at the workshop as well as the case studies on ecosystem-based approaches to climate change that were provided by participants (Annex A), case studies on adaptation for nature conservation (Annex B), and summaries of all other presentations that were made, inter alia with regard to relevant international processes, scientific findings and ongoing activities in the field of biodiversity and climate change (Annex C). Key characteristics of ecosystem-based approaches are given as well as an initial overview of available tools and instruments to promote their implementation, existing barriers and ways to Biodiversity and Climate Change/ 27/10/2009

overcome them, and possible next steps on the way forward. The report is being finalised in the coming weeks and will be made available – inter alia – on CIRCA.

7) AOB and next steps There are 2 new factsheets available on the DG ENV website: Nature’s role in climate change http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/info/pubs/docs/climate_change/en.pdf and Ecosystem Services http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/info/pubs/docs/ecosystem.pdf The EU research project EPOCA (European Project on Ocean Acidification) will release an introductory guide on "Ocean acidification – the facts" (see http://www.epoca-project.eu/index.php/Ocean-Acidification-the-facts.html ). A briefing pack for Members of the European Parliament which includes policy reviews is available under http://www.ieep.eu . The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution on climate change, which includes three paragraphs on biodiversity-related issues (23.9, 23.10, and 23.12). The whole text is available on CIRCA. http://circa.europa.eu/Public/irc/env/biodiversity_climate/library? l=/meeting_october&vm=detailed&sb=Title The EU Ad Hoc Expert Working Group on Biodiversity and Climate Change has been listed under the technical groups to collaborate with the Impact and Adaptation Steering Group (IASG) which is being created as follow-up to the Adaptation White Paper. The next meeting will be held in February/March 2010.

ANNEXES Annex 1: final agenda Annex 2: participants' list