The Commission and Members States must ensure better use of the European Regional Development Fund for halting biodiversity loss
A report published today by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) reveals that the EU Member States’ take-up of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to finance projects aimed at halting biodiversity loss has lagged behind compared to other areas of ERDF spending. If the ERDF is to continue to be regarded as useful for helping to deliver the EU strategy to halt biodiversity loss by 2020, the Commission should provide the Member States with more support for implementing specific protection and management plans for habitats and species. The monitoring of the implementation and impact of biodiversity projects also needs to be improved.
Video with Mr Phil Wynn Owen, ECA Member responsible for the report.
The ECA found that ERDF co-financed projects were generally in line with national and EU biodiversity priorities. Two thirds of the 32 projects audited involved protection measures which were expected to have a direct impact on biodiversity. However, in most cases, the Member States concerned had introduced neither results indicators nor monitoring systems to assess the development of habitats and species. Their absence undermines any assessment of the effectiveness of these projects.
Protecting biodiversity is a key priority for the EU. Following the failure to achieve the previous target of halting biodiversity loss in Europe by 2010, in June 2011, the Council endorsed the “EU biodiversity strategy to 2020”. Member States allocated €2,8 billion in the 2007-2013 programming period to the direct promotion of biodiversity and nature protection under the ERDF.
Video with Mr Phil Wynn Owen, ECA Member responsible for the report.
Luxembourg , 17/09/2014