Intergroup Activity Report 2009-2014

8/9/2019 Intergroup Activity Report 2009-2014

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CONTENTS

FOREWORD CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF SUCCESS

KEY MESSAGES

MISSION, OBJECTIVES & APPROACH

RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENTS

ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE 7THTERM OF THE EP 20092014

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

MESSAGES OF SUPPORT

THE SECRETARIAT

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5

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7

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AGRICULTURE

ARCTIC

COOPERATION & DEVELOPMENT

BUSINESS & RAW MATERIALS

ENERGY

FISHERIES & AQUACULTURE

FORESTRY

MARITIME AFFAIRS

MEDITERRANEAN

TRANSPORT & TOURISM

WATER

ISLANDS & OVERSEAS ENTITIES

KEY MESSAGES

Outcomes ofIntergroup meetings

have regularly

fed Committeediscussions andlegislative activities

OBJECTIVETo promote sustainable

development principlesthrough balanced and open

dialogue betweenpolicy-makers and

stakeholders

APPROACHTo mainstream

environmental, social andeconomic concerns into

EU policy while respectingcultural diversity andensuring science-based

decision-making

MISSIONTo find balance

between the need toconserve nature and

the need to sustainsocio-economicwellbeing

Secretariat of theIntergroup provided

by IUCN & EBCD

Officiallyre-established

throughout4 consecutive

legislatures

since 1994

132 eventsorganised between

2009 and 2014,including high-levelones, with Europeanand global players

Received thesupport of 4 main

political groups in 2009:

EPP, S&D, ALDEand ECR

Intergroup activitieshave covered

relevant EU andinternational

processes central inEP debates

12cross-cutting

policy areas covered

by 12Working Groups

Celebrating

20 years of workin the EuropeanParliament

15 MEPs - Chairsof the 12 Working

Groups and Members

of the Bureau of theIntergroup

OfficialIntergroup ofthe European

Parliament

The Intergroupenjoyed close

collaboration with theEuropean Commission,

experts, NGOs, theprivate sector and civilsociety at large

Recognisedscience-policy-stakeholder-civilsociety interface

Over 200 MEPssigned to bemembers of

the Intergroup

in 2009

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KEY MESSAGES


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MISSION, OBJEC TIVES & APPROACH

MISSIONRecognising that the wellbeing of humankind isseverely affected by climate change and the loss

of biodiversity, this cross-sector and multi-stake-holder platform seeks to take a lead in integrat-ing these issues into the legislative processes ofthe European Parliament.

OBJECTIVESThis EP Intergroup gathered MEPs from mostpolitical groups and all EU member states as wellas the parliamentary committees, in order to findsustainable solutions to some of the greatestenvironmental and socio-economic challengesof our time.

This forum of discussion allowed MEPs to lis-ten, debate and shape ideas and policies based

on contributions from a number of different

stakeholders, be they relevant experts, govern-ment representatives, NGOs, the private sec-tor, researchers etc, and in the presence of theEuropean Commission, the EU Presidency, andEU member states.

APPROACHThe EP Intergroups approach is to:

Guarantee balance in debates by providing an openplatform for all stakeholders to bring together theirviews and concerns and to engage with one another.

Bring together different EU institutions and bodies todiscuss areas of specific interest.

Ensure that science-based decisions are taken at EU-level.

Mainstream and effectively integrate environmentaland socio-economic concerns into EU policy-makingwhile respecting cultural diversity.

The Union shall work

for the sustainable

development of Europe

based on balancedeconomic growth and

price sta bilit y, a highly

competitive social market

economy, aiming at full

employment and social

progress, and a high

level of protection and

improvement of the qualityof the environment.

Article 3 (3) of the Treaty of Lisbon

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Established in 1994 at the initiative of EBCD European Bureau for Conservation andDevelopment with the support of IUCN International Union for Conservation of

Nature since 2004, the European Parliament Intergroup on Sustainable Develop-ment has for the past 20 years provided a forum for MEPs to learn, debate and

create policy geared towards sustainable development.

It was renamed in 2009 as the European Parliament (EP) Intergroup on ClimateChange, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development (CCBSD) to provide a strongerfocus on the fundamental environmental, societal and economic challenges in the

coming decades.

This cross-party and cross-committee EP Intergroup constitutes one of the mostsignificant Intergroups in the European Parliament today. It benefited in the last par-liament (2009-14) from support by the four main political groups in the EuropeanParliament (EPP, S&D, ALDE, ECR) and of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs)from all EU Member States as well as all the mainstream political groups.


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In 1994(1), when the principles of sustainable develop-

ment enjoyed only a relatively low-level of awareness,

the European Parliament Intergroup on Sustainable

Development was established in order to bring to-

gether knowledge and expertise to debates in the

European Parliament concerning the conservation andsustainable use of natural resources. It was renamed as

the EP Intergroup on Climate Change, Biodiversity and

Sustainable Development(CCBSD) in 2009.

This forum has since then provided a balancedplatform for discussing those issues with experts andother stakeholders from both within and outside the

European Parliament. It has brought together spe-

cific and important levels of knowledge, as well asscientific and practical expertise to European policy-

makers aiming to ensure that the principles of sus-

tainable development are respected and that culturaldiversity is valued in all levels of policy.

The EP Intergroup has hosted a large number of events

in Brussels and Strasbourg covering a number of rel-evant policy issues, including high-level conferences,with the involvement of European and global partners

and the participation of European Commissioners, EU

Presidencies, government ministers, renowned expertsand key actors. Issues covered include: wildlife con-

servation and trade, forestry and agriculture, fisheries

and aquaculture, maritime and marine policies, the EUBiodiversity Strategy, to mention but a few. Further-

more, the Intergroup has helped bring to the Parlia-

ment local and indigenous knowledge from aroundthe world and has organised several fact-finding

missions with MEPs relating to issues debated in the

Parliament on the sustainable use and management ofnatural resources.

Over the past few years, the EP Intergroup CCBSD has

gained visibility and recognition from the European

Parliament members and services, European Com-

mission officials and other EU institutions, such as the

Committee of the Regions and the European Econom-

ic and Social Committee, the Council and from a wide

range of other stakeholders.

The outcomes of EP Intergroup meetings have on

various occasions contributed to the Parliaments

and Commissions activities. The EP Intergroup has also

contributed to important recommendations in discus-

sions on several proposals for regulation and directives

such as the reform of the Common Agricultural Pol-

icy (CAP) and Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), and in

ongoing debates such as the EU Biodiversity Strategy,

the EU Forestry Strategy, the Climate and Energy Pack-

age, the Water Framework Directive, the revision of the

Waste Directive, the EU Strategy for the Arctic etc.

Furthermore, the EP Intergroup has played an im-portant role in linking the Members of the European

Parliament to relevant international processes such as

the Convention on International Trade of Endangered

Species (CITES), the Convention on Biological Diver-

sity (CBD), the United Nations Framework Convention

on Climate Change (UNFCCC), as well as the United

Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) etc.

(1) Re-est ablished for 4 consecutive mandates with the support of at least 3 political groups

and of MEPs from all political groups and Member States

RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENTS

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O BJECT IVES

MI S S I O N

BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE VISION FOR THE COMMON AGRICULTURE POLICY (CAP)

EVENTS ORGANISED UNDER THIS WG ADDRESSED THE FOLLOWING ISSUES

The Agriculture working group (WG) mainly concentrated on

the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), on issues

linked to land intensification for food production, bioenergy,

biofuels etc, and the direct impact this has on biological diver-

sity. The effects of climate change on food production and food

security were also a main focus, as were the issues linked to the

management and protection of natural environments. Through

this working group, the Intergroup was an active partner in the

European Bee Week organised in the EP between 2012 and 2014,

which benefited from the support of UNEP and the Foundation

Prince Albert II of Monaco, amongst others.

Greening measures under the new CAP

The challenges linked to the intensification of agricultural practices

Issues related to food security

Sustainability of agricultural practices and competitiveness under the new CAP

Water management for agriculture in the context of climate change and reduced availability of this resource Animal welfare issues under the CAP

Apiculture, pollination and bee health

Vice-Chair

Luis ManuelCapoulas Santos

S&D, PT

WG IN T ER A CT IO N S

AGRICULTURE

General achievementsThe CCBSD EP Intergroup has been recognisedas a balanced and functional multi-stakeholderplatform in the European Parliament, allowing

for constructive engagement between all sec-tors and representatives from policy, science,

business, NGOs, and civil society.

During the last legislative period, the EPIntergroup on Climate Change, Biodiversityand Sustainable Development was not onlythe largest but also the most active of all theEP Intergroups:

ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE 7 thTERM OF THE EP (2009-2014)

Achievements by policy field and Working Group

O BJECT IVES

Biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation have been chal-

lenged by the economic crisis as it led to a redirection of

resources and has been put low on the political priority list.

The economic crisis furthermore translated into losses in

terms of competitiveness, jobs, growth and prosperity in most

sectors and industries in Europe, such as agriculture, fisheries,

transport, and energy, among others.

The intergroup, divided into 11 policy areas or Working

Groups, sought to find solutions to the above-mentioned

challenges in a transversal and cross-cutting way. It offered

at the same time a global perspective to these issues, col-

laborating on many occasions with international and inter-

governmental environment and development bodies.

Above all, and more impor tantly in the last year of its man-

date, the intergroup developed increasingly into a science-

policy-stakeholder-society plat form of exchange, with the

aim of supporting multi-stakeholder networks of knowledge

for better informed policy decisions, mainly thanks to the

support of DG Research and Innovation and DG Environ-

ment.

Chair

Struan Stevenson

ECR, UK


CROSS-SECTORAL ISSUES

MI S S I O N

FINDING SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS TO ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHALLENGES

USING A CROSS-SECTORAL AND MULTI-STAKEHOLDER APPROACH

Over 200 MEPs from most political groups and EU member states

were members of the Intergroup

132 events were organised in Brussels and Strasbourg including sev-

eral high-visibility ones (breakfasts, seminars, workshops, and confer-

ences)

Several events were organised with the active participa-

tion of highlevel speakers and in collaboration with important

European and international players (including IUCN, CBD, EEA, UNEP,

CITES, FAO, etc.)

A number of Directorate-Generals (DGs) in the European Commission

(ENV, RTD, MARE, DEVCO, ENTR, AGRI, and SANCO) have appreciated

the opportunity to dialogue with the Intergroup Chairs and stakehold-

ers and have engaged increasingly in its activities.

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O BJECT IVES

MI S S I O N

ENSURING A RESOURCE EFFICIENT AND COMPETITIVE EUROPE


BUSINESS & RAW MATERIALS

In view of the development of an effective EU strategy on

raw materials and the recent European Commission initiative

European Innovation Partnership (EIP) on Raw Materials, the

Business & Raw Materials working group tackled issues linked tothe sustainability of the extractive, processing and recycling in-

dustry. The transition to a circular economy was a central issue, as

much as the need to support and promote European productivity

and competitiveness, and more particularly the need to reduce

dependency and find alternatives to the supply of raw materials,

to support research of innovative and resource-efficient technolo-

gies, and the shift to green industries. Recycling of materials, prod-ucts and waste was a key element in the debates of this working

group, together with the need for behavioural change in society

to reach sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Resource efficiency and sustainable supply of raw materials in the EU

Responsible and sustainable extraction processes in Europe

The role of raw materials in the green economy

Development of a comprehensive European waste policy

The role of innovation in the sustainable management of raw materials

Maintaining competitiveness in Europe while supporting the green growth agenda

Opportunities in the mineral sector for jobs, growth and environmental protection

Developing the Sustainable Production and Consumption model in Europe

Vice-Chair

Judith Mer kiesS&D, NL

Vice-Chair

Paul RbigEPP, AT


WATER

MI S S I O N

O BJECT IVES


MANAGING WATER RESOURCES SUSTAINABLY

The Water working group worked closely with the agriculture

WG and dealt with nature conservation challenges, climate

change threats, access to water, water quality, water footprint,

water scarcity and desertification, water use and efficiency,

sustainable management of river basins, global governance

of water, and transparency issues related to water. The Water

Framework Directive was a central policy discussed under this

working group.

Water and climate change solutions The life-cycle of water and biodiversity

Transparency for a good governance of water

Vice-Chair

CristinaGutirrez CortinesEPP, SP


COOPERATION AND D EVELOPMENT

MI S S I O N

O BJECT IVES


Considering that poor countries economies will suffer most from

the effects of global warming and biodiversity loss, the Coopera-

tion & Development working group addressed these issues with

the aim of ensuring that sustainable management, preservationof natural resources, adaptation to climate change and miti-

gation policies are part of the development and cooperation

agreements between the EU and third parties. These elements

are key in the drive to improve economic development and re-

duce poverty in developing countries. Some of the issues tackled

include the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the devel-

opment of a global carbon market, ensuring policy coherencein development and cooperation policies, access to renewable

energy technologies in developing countries, support for the ef-

ficient use of resources, etc.

Good governance in developing countries in relation to climate change policies

Increasing financing for adaptation and mitigation measures resource mobilisation

Developing a financial transaction tax

Access to renewable energy sources

Addressing raw materials shortage

Implementing outcomes of international conventions in developing countries


ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE AND BIODIVERSITY ISSUES FROM A PERSPECTIVE OF RIGHTS & EQUITY

Vice-Chair

Charles GoerensALDE, LU

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MI S S I O N

O BJECT IVES

ENSURING A SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF MARINE RESOURCES - MORE FISH

FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION AND A MORE PROFITABLE FISHING SECTOR

The Fisheries & Aquaculture working group focused mainly on

the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), specifically on

biological, social and economic sustainability aspects of the reform,

such as management issues, technical measures, discard, Illegal,

Unreported and Unregulated fishing (IUU), industrial vs artisanal

fisheries, EU Partnership Agreements with third countries, markets,

etc. Linking research to fishermen knowledge and experience, ex-

ploring funding possibilities for the European Maritime and Fisheries

Fund (EMFF), and the sustainable development of European aqua-

culture were key elements in the debates under this working group.

Vice-Chair

Pat the CopeGallagher

ALDE, IR


FISHERIES & AQUACULTURE

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Identification of Natura 2000 areas

IUU fishing and the impacts of piracy on EU fisheries

Sustainable fisheries management in the EU and in developing countries

Improving and sharing scientific data

Improving good governance in fisheries management

Promoting the blue growth agenda for jobs and innovation

MI S S I O N

O BJECT IVES


ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH IN THE ARCTIC

Recognising that the Arctic is highly impacted by climate change,

the Arctic working group focused on the implications it has on

the Arctics ecosystem, in terms of biodiversity loss, impacts on

the distribution of fisheries resources and on local communities,but also the implications this has on other parts of the world.

The sustainable use of living resources, issues related to energy,

transport and tourism, the rights of indigenous communities

and the need to value cultural diversity, but also the need to in-

crease and improve research, science and education were someof the key issues tackled by this regional working group.

Investment in research and development in the Arctic

Promotion of the sustainable use and management of natural minerals (rare earths) and living resources (marine resources)

in the Arctic

The importance of the Arctic for European industry

Promoting wood resources for the energy and construction sectors

Financing policies for the Arctic

The impact of the seal ban on Inuit populations

The importance of education in the Arctic region

Vice-Chair

Riikka MannerALDE, FI


ARCTIC


MI S S I O N

O BJECT IVES

This regional working group focused on the challenges relating

to seamounts and canyons - which are biodiversity-rich environ-

ments still to be explored, marine protected areas (MPAs) that

serve as an important conservation tool, transport systems,

water management and droughts, as well as forestry and the

high incidence of forest fires in the Mediterranean. Issues of

governance and cooperation regarding those problems were

central topics. The need to invest in and support research was a

transversal issue tackled in this regional working group.

Vice-Chair

TheodorosSkylakakis

ALDE, GR


MEDITERRANEAN

Prevention of forest fires

Governance and importance of good cooperation among Mediterranean countries on the above mentioned issues The importance of a solid research basis to tackle the adverse impacts of climate change

Building the solar and wind energy systems of the future

REDUCING THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

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MI S S I O N

O BJECT IVES


MI S S I O N

O BJECT IVES

SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCING GREENHOUSE GASES AND ENSURING AN ENERGY-EFFICIENT EUROPE

The Energy working group engaged with issues linked to the

energy challenge in the context of climate change, support for

the transition to ecologically sustainable, socially equitable and

economically efficient energy systems, the use of best available

technologies, as well as environmental safeguards for the devel-

opment of renewables. Planning beyond the 20-20-20 targets,

developing models of energy efficient smart cities, develop-

ing smart grids, and policies to mitigate the impacts of climate

change were some of the central issues debated in this working

group.

Vice-Chair

Vittorio ProdiS&D, IT


ENERGY

Energy storage

Smart and super grids Smart cities

The Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)

Climate change adaptation and mitigation

International agreement United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Emissions reductions carbon storage

MANAGING EUROPEAN FORESTS SUSTAINABLY

The activities of the Forestry working group were based on

the recognition of the intrinsic biodiversity value of forests and

the need to manage forest resources in a sustainable manner.

Although in the last months of the Parliaments mandate the

intergroup focused on the recent Commission proposal for an

EU Forestry Strategy, this working group also dealt with issues

related to deforestation, illegal logging, wood energy, protection

against calamities, rural development, governance and trade.

The Intergroup, through this working group, organised a high-

level event to celebrate the International Year of Forests in 2011,

with the active involvement of IUCN, UNEP and the Foundation

Prince Albert II of Monaco.Vice-ChairGaston Franco

EPP, FR


FORESTRY

Deforestation

Adaptation to climate change

Socio-economic and environmental services offered by forests

Wood for Energy

Agro-forestry Governance of forest resources and sustainable use of natural resources

EU Forestry strategy


MI S S I O N

O BJECT IVES

PROMOTING ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR THE EUROPEAN TRANSPORT AND TOURISM SECTOR

The Transport and Tourism working group brought together

different stakeholders in the sector of terrestrial, marine and air

transport with policy-makers for decarbonising transport as

well as the need to develop urban mobility solutions, to invest

in intelligent and greener transport systems, technology transfer,

etc. The Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), the Air Policy Package

and the EU Transport Package have been central policy areas

discussed in this working group.

Vice-Chair

Dieter-LebrechtKochEPP, DE


TRANSPORT & TOURISM

Air policy and emissions reduction schemes

Competitiveness of the transport sector

Sustainable mobility in urban areas

Electrification of transport

Noise pollution in road transport

Fuel efficient strategies to decarbonise transport - the future of biofuels

Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)

Promotion of sustainable tourism in Europe

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ISLANDS & OVERSEAS ENTITIES

MI S S I O N

O BJECT IVES


PROTECTING AND VALUING NATURAL CAPITAL IN ISLANDS AND IN THE EU OVERSEAS

Acknowledging that 70% of Europes terrestrial and marine

biodiversity is to be found in the EU Overseas entities, but also

that continental Europes islands are hugely threatened by cli-mate change, the aim of the Islands & Overseas entities working

group was to improve territorial cohesion in EU policy debates

and decisions, coherence of the Natura 2000 network, take into

account the particular situation of overseas territories, develop a

specific fund for biodiversity conservation and development in

overseas territories, and increase regional cooperation between

Outermost Regions, Overseas Countries and Territories, and

neighbouring African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states.

Furthermore, through this working group, the EP Intergroup has

raised awareness of the importance of biodiversity and climatechange in these regions within the EU institutions through the

organisation of an event to present the results of a major con-

ference organised in the island of La Reunion in 2008 on this is-

sue. This resulted in the funding by the European Commission of

the Voluntary Scheme for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in

Territories of the EU Outermost Regions and Overseas Countries

and Territories (BEST).

The impact of tourism on islands

Green growth in the EU overseas

Marine biodiversity in the EU overseas

Development of EU biodiversity hotspots and assets

Supporting the Blue growth agenda for the development of islands

Developing regional hubs of innovation in the overseas as a European and global asset

Identifying challenges and opportunities of climate change in the Arctic: development perspectives (tourism, maritime

affairs, rare earth and minerals etc)

Vice-Chair

Spyros DanellisS&D, GR

Vice-Chair

Maurice PongaEPP, FR


MI S S I O N

O BJECT IVES

ENSURING FULL INTEGRATION OF ALL COASTAL AND MARINE ACTIVITIES IN EUROPE

The Maritime Affairs working group, recognising that the nu-

merous activities that take place in marine and coastal waters

have considerable socio-economic and environmental impacts

and are often competing, sought to support the sustainable

development and integration of these activities in order to en-

hance their socio-economic dimension, while protecting the

marine environment. It has tackled issues relating to the carbon

emissions of ships, opportunities in Europe to develop offshore

energy, invasive alien species, the Emissions Trading Scheme

(ETS), etc. More specifically, the working group has focused on

files around maritime spatial planning (MSP) and the marine

strategy framework directive (MSFD), the Blue Growth agenda,

and Inland Waterway and Transport packages.Vice-ChairPeter

Van DalenECR, NL

MARITIME AFFAIRS


Clean maritime transport and alternative fuels

Visit to the green port of Rotterdam with a delegation of MEPs

The EC White Paper on the future of transport in Europe

Sustainability of maritime tourism

Inland waterways in Europe

Port waste reception facilities in Europe

Third Maritime Safety package

Ship recycling Blue Growth and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive


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FINANCIAL STATEMENT 2009-2014

Associations & Private Sector 261,800

Organisations 148,100

Consultancies 77,500

Public Sector 55,500

Projects 41,000

ExpenditureOffice & organisational costs 290,000

Personnel charges 250,000Travel costs 70,000

Income


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MESSAGES OF SUPPORT

Giving a voice in the European Parliament

to a wide array of stakeholders and actors in

society, the Intergroup provides a useful forum

to translate complex scientific and innovationquestions into policy options that are examined

and enriched from many different perspectives.

The Intergroup is science-policy-society interface

in action at European level.

Kurt Vandenberghe, Director, DG RTD

This is the only Intergroup that has pushed thinking of

the current Parliament on biodiversity issues.This Intergroup has made the science-policy-

stakeholders-society interface a reality.

Pia Bucella, Director, DG ENV

Events of this Intergroup offer a global dimension of

the issues at stake as well as fruitful collaboration with

important international players.

Dr. Tonio Borg, EU Commissioner in charge of Health

The EP Intergroup on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable

Development and its secretariat has for many years provided a unique

and valuable forum for a broad range of stakeholders in the EU to discuss

important global and regional issues relating to environmental and

climate change, in particular to bridge the gap between the science and

policy and thereby contribution to informed decision-making. As such,

the Intergroup will remain one of the key partners to the United Nations

Environment Programme in Brussels.

Ulf Bjrnholm, Head of the UNEP Liaison Office to the EU

The Forestry group under the EP Intergroup on Climate Change and

Sustainable Development helped to open the doors of the European

Parliament to Forests. The discussions organised on the new EU Forest

Strategy were particularly interesting and helpful.

Maria Gafo Gomez Zamalloa, Policy Officer DG AGRI

The Intergroup on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development

and its secretariat has been an excellent partner in our activities as a groupof scientific institutions to bring forward our results and activities to the EU

parliament and the policy arena in Brussels. By jointly organising a meeting at the

parliament in April 2014, the Intergroup and our project BiodiversityKnowledge

successfully made the link between the Parliament, Commission officials, other

decision makers, science and society and allowed us to discuss concretely how

to improve the science-policy-interface in the future. I strongly recommend

continuing the work of the Intergroup in the next parliamentary term and the

scientific community on biodiversity and ecosystem services will surely continue to

work with the Intergroup to improve the dialogue between science and society in

Europe.

Dr. Carsten Nehver, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research UFZ,

Science-Policy Expert Group (Leipzig, Germany), Secretary of the Steering Committee of the

European Platform for Biodiversity Research Strategy (EPBRS)

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EBCD and IUCN have successfully managed the EP Intergroup on Climate Change, by biodiversity and

Sustainable Development, one of the most influential Intergroups in the European Parliament. I very much

appreciated the collaboration with the Intergroup since 2008, first in relation to the ad hoc expert working

group on biodiversity and climate change and then later on through the work on the BEST Preparatory Action.

Biodiversity and climate change are often handled in different departments which sometimes hampers

working in an integrated manner. The work of this Intergroup reinforces the intrinsic link between biodiversity

and climate change and the fact that they are crucial for sustainable development. I am looking forward tocontinuing the good collaboration.

Karin Zaunberger, Policy Officer DG ENV

The ENVE commission will explore possibilities for

strengthening cooperation with the European

Parliament Intergroups and their members in the

areas of its competences, including in particularthe Intergroup on Climate Change, Biodiversity and

Sustainable Development.

Committee of the Regions,

ENVE Commission Work Programme 2014

The EP Intergroup, in particular through its working group on forest, very much

helped to place forest and forestry on the political agenda in the European

Parliament and that in a positive and balanced way. Especially the cross-sectoral

exchange and regular dialogues with MEPs, which this EP Intergroup facilitated,

were of high value.

Dr. Aljoscha Requardt,

Secretary General of the Confederation of European Forest Owners (CEPF)

The Parliament Intergroup on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable

Development allows for high level and constructive dialogue between

industry, policy makers, scientists, NGOs and other stakeholders on topics

of common concern. The industrial minerals sector has been very pleased

about its experience with the Intergroup, both as a contributor to the panel

debates or as participant in the events hosted by the MEPs and organized

by the EBCD. The EBCD makes each time an effort in ensuring a balancedrepresentation and disseminates the outcomes effectively.

Dr. Michelle Wyart-Remy, Secretary General IMA-Europe

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This intergroup has been a very prominent forum to discuss the main challenges

that our society is facing in trying to ensure a sustainable development, addressing

climate change and the preservation of biodiversity. It has effectively reunited all

possible actors, from policy makers to scientists, NGOs, farmers and industries,

willing to discuss and find common pathways to major societal issues. The crop

protection industry values the role of this intergroup and the opportunity it provides

for enhancing a crucial societal and political dialogue.Jean Charles BOCQUET, Director General, ECPA


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THE SECRETARIATThe secretariat to the Intergroup has been provided by EBCD European Bu-reau for Conservation and Development since its creation in 1994, and jointlywith IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature since 2004.

Founded in 1989, EBCD is an international environmental nongovernmentalorganisation (NGO) based in Brussels, with the main objective to promotethe conservation and sustainable use of natural renewable resources both inEurope and worldwide. It supports science based solutions, full stakeholderparticipation, due consideration for the socio-economic aspects and for cul-

tural diversity. (www.ebcd.org)

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) helps the planetfind pragmatic solutions to the most urgent environmental and developmen-tal challenges. IUCN is the worlds oldest and largest global environmental or-ganization, with more than 1,200 government and NGO Members and almost11,000 volunteer experts in some 160 countries. IUCNs work is supported byover 1,000 staff in 45 offices and hundreds of partners in public, NGO andprivate sectors around the world. The IUCN EU Representative Office acts as li-aison between the IUCN constituency, the EU institutions and Brussels-basedpartners, with the aim of raising awareness of nature conservation among theEU institutions and helping shape EU nature policies. (www.iucn.org/europe)

STAFFKathleen Laissy EU Affairs Policy Officer (EBCD)Paolo Mattana European Parliament Intergroup Officer (EBCD)

www.ebcd.org/en/EP_Intergroup_CCBSD/

@EPIntergroup_SD

Documents

Intergroup Activity Report 2009-2014