EUROPEISKA GEMENSKAPERNAS KOMMISSION

Bryssel den 24.5.2006

KOM(2004) 621 slutlig/2

2004/0218 (COD)

Ändrat förslag till

EUROPAPARLAMENTETS OCH RÅDETS FÖRORDNING

om det finansiella instrumentet för miljön (Life+)

Anpassning till följd av avtalet av den 17 maj 2006 om budgetplanerna 2007–2013

(framlagt av kommissionen i enlighet med artikel 250.2 i EG-fördraget)

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2004/0218 (COD)

Ändrat förslag till

EUROPAPARLAMENTETS OCH RÅDETS FÖRORDNING

om det finansiella instrumentet för miljön (Life+)

Artikel 9 skall ersättas med följande:

Artikel 9

Varaktighet och budgetresurser

1.Denna förordning skall genomföras under tiden från och med den 1 januari 2007 till och med den 31 december 2013.

2.Budgetramen för genomförandet av Life+ fastställs till 2 097,880 miljoner euro1 för perioden 1 januari 2007 – 31 december 2013.

3.De budgetmedel som tilldelas de åtgärder som fastställs i denna förordning skall föras in som årliga anslag i Europeiska unionens allmänna budget.

Budgetmyndigheten skall godkänna de tillgängliga årliga anslagen inom ramen för budgetplanen.

4.Minst 40 % av budgetanslagen för Life+ skall tilldelas åtgärder som syftar till att stödja bevarandet av naturen och den biologiska mångfalden.

  1 1 854,372 miljoner euro (2004 års priser).  
     
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LEGISLATIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Policy area: 07 Environment

Activity: Environmental Programmes and Projects

TITLE OF ACTION: FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT – LIFE+ (2007-2013)

1.BUDGET LINE(S) + HEADING(S)

Heading 2 – Preservation and management of natural resources 07 03 07 (operational)

07 01 04 01 (administrative)

2.OVERALL FIGURES

2.1.Total allocation for action (Part B): 2 097.88 million

2.2.Period of application: 2007-2013

2.3.Overall multi annual estimate of expenditure:

  (a)   Schedule of commitment appropriations/payment appropriations (financial  
      intervention) (see point 6.1.1)                                
                                      million (to three decimal places)  
        2007     2008     2009     2010     2011       2012     2013   2014>   Tot
                                                           
  Commitments     226,620   246,000   268,260   286,310   304,760   325,800   348,730       2006,480
                                                           
  Payments     90,648   214,020   233,386   249,090   265,141   283,446   303,395   367,354   2006,480
                                                   
  (b)   Technical and administrative assistance and support expenditure (see point 6.1.2)  
                                                           
  Commitments   13,000     12,800     12,300     13,000   13,600     13,700   13,000       91,400
                                                           
  Payments   13,000     12,800     12,300     13,000   13,600     13,700   13,000       91,400
                                                             
                                                             
  Subtotal a+b                                                          
                                   
  Commitments 239,620 258,800   280,560   299,310   318,360   339,500   361,730       2097,880
                                   
  Payments 103,648 226,820   245,686   262,090   278,741   297,146   316,395   367,354   2097,880
                                                             

(c)Overall financial impact of human resources and other administrative expenditure

(see points 7.2 and 7.3)

Commitments/ 6,773 6,900 7,000 7,200 7,300 7,500 7,600   50,273
payments                  
                   

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TOTAL a+b+c 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 -> Total
                   
Commitments 246,393 265,700 287,560 306,510 325,660 347,000 369,330   2148,153
                   
Payments 110,421 233,720 252,686 269,290 286,041 304,646 323,995 367,354 2148,153
                   

2.4.Compatibility with financial programming and financial perspective

[X]Proposal is compatible with existing/proposed financial programming.

2.5.Financial impact on revenue:

[X]Proposal has no financial implications (involves technical aspects regarding implementation of a measure)

OR

Proposal has financial impact – the effect on revenue is as follows:

3.BUDGET CHARACTERISTICS

Type of expenditure New EFTA Contributions Heading in
      contribution from applicant financial
        countries perspective
Non- Diff Non- YES YES YES 2
comp differentiated        
           

4.LEGAL BASIS

Pursuant to Articles 174 175 of the EC Treaty.

5.DESCRIPTION AND GROUNDS

5.1.Need for Community intervention

5.1.1.Objectives pursued

The general objective of LIFE + shall be to contribute to the implementation, updating and development of Community environment policy and legislation, in its internal dimension, thereby contributing to sustainable development in the Community. Financial interventions are also open to EFTA countries (members of the EEA), candidate countries associated to the EU, as well as to the Western Balkans countries.

LIFE+ will support in particular the implementation of the 6th Environmental Action Programme which aims at combating climate change, halting the decline in nature and biodiversity, improving environment, health and the quality of life and promoting the sustainable use and management of natural resources and wastes. It will support, inter alia, the implementation of the EC Climate Change programme, the environment and health action

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plan, and actions coming out of the thematic strategies (air quality, urban environment, soils, marine environment, pesticides, sustainable use of resources and waste recycling).

5.1.2.Measures taken in connection with ex ante evaluation

The Commission did not foresee an ex-ante evaluation for LIFE+ in its evaluation programme for 2004. In light of the decisions taken by the Commission in the context of the 2007-2013 Financial Perspectives, this work has had to be carried out at an earlier stage than originally envisaged.

The ex-ante assessment shows that support for the environment at Community level through a dedicated instrument for the environment is relevant and justified – as an integral ingredient in the Lisbon and sustainable development strategies. A dedicated instrument for the environment will support actions which provide value added at EU level. There will be the assurance of an adequate level of efficiency, provided that the various dedicated environment programmes are merged into one instrument.

The objectives of the dedicated instrument for the environment, LIFE+ are specifically targeted on improving policy development and implementation as a contribution to achieving wider Treaty and strategic environment policy goals set out in the 6th Environmental Action Programme. Operational objectives have been identified, with examples of related output indicators provided. The programme will be focused on the main stakeholders involved in building the environmental knowledge base, implementing policy and disseminating information.

A single instrument will be more effective in supporting environmental policy objectives. It will allow the Commission to rationalise and streamline, bringing the management of similar activities (e.g. training, networking, monitoring support etc) under one framework in support of the achievement of environment policy objectives. One fund will facilitate a better matching of resources and policy priorities. This will reinforce the coherence of actions funded at Community level.

The multi-annual programming framework, suggested for the dedicated instrument for the environment will result in increased coherence and complementarity in the delivery of activities. These programmes should be accompanied by a logical framework with specific objectives and related indicators to facilitate monitoring and evaluation. Details on implementation will be set out in implementing rules. In order to achieve cost effectiveness, these provisions should aim at simplifying delivery mechanisms, optimising the use of human resources, while maintaining sound financial management. All actions will have to meet broad eligibility criteria, including demonstration of EU value added and respect of subsidiarity, complementarity and proportionality.

In general, the specific policy support nature of LIFE+ should not lend itself to duplication or overlap with other Community programmes. However, special attention will be paid in programme delivery to ensure that duplication is avoided and that synergies with other Community initiatives are considered..

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5.2.Action envisaged and budget intervention arrangements

In order to achieve the main objectives described under 5.1 above, LIFE+ will be divided into three strands:

LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity,

LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance,

LIFE+ Information and Communication.

The specific objectives of LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity shall be:

(a)to contribute to the implementation of Community policy and legislation on nature and biodiversity, in particular Directives 79/409/EEC and 92/43/EEC, including at the local and regional level, and to support the further development and implementation of the Natura 2000 network, including coastal and marine habitats and species;

(b)to contribute to the consolidation of the knowledge base for the development, assessment, monitoring and evaluation of Community nature and biodiversity policy and legislation;

(c)to support the design and implementation of policy approaches and instruments for the monitoring and assessment of nature and biodiversity and the factors, pressures and responses that impact on it, in particular in relation to the achievement of the target of halting biodiversity loss within the Community by 2010;

(d)to provide support for better environmental governance, by broadening stakeholder involvement, including that of non-governmental organisations, in consultations on, and the implementation of, nature and biodiversity policy and legislation.

The specific objectives of LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance shall be, in relation to the objectives of the 6th EAP, including for the priority areas of climate change, environment and health and quality of life, and natural resources and waste:

(a)to contribute to the development and demonstration of innovative policy approaches, technologies, methods and instruments;

(b)to contribute to consolidating the knowledge base for the development, assessment, monitoring and evaluation of environmental policy and legislation;

(c)to support the design and implementation of approaches to monitoring and assessment of the state of the environment and the factors, pressures and responses that impact on it;

(d)to facilitate the implementation of Community environment policy, with particular emphasis on implementation at local and regional level;

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(e)to provide support for better environmental governance by broadening stakeholder involvement, including that of non-governmental organisations, in policy consultation and implementation.

The specific objectives of LIFE+ Information and Communication shall be:

(a)to disseminate information and raise awareness on environmental issues, including forest fire prevention;

(b)to provide support for accompanying measures, such as information, communication actions and campaigns, conferences and training, including training on forest fire prevention.

In order to achieve the main objectives, the Regulation establishing LIFE+ foresees a range of possible actions. LIFE+ will support actions:

(a)being of Community interest by making a significant contribution to the achievement of the general objective of the LIFE+ Regulation and

(b)being technically and financially coherent, feasible and provide value for money.

In addition, to ensure European added value and to avoid financing recurring activities, projects shall meet within at least one of the following criteria by being:

(a)best practice projects or demonstration projects for the implementation of

Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds2 or Directive 92/43/EEC;

(b)innovative projects or demonstration projects relating to Community environmental objectives, including the development or dissemination of best practice techniques, know-how or technologies;

(c)awareness raising campaigns and special training for agents involved in forest fire prevention;

(d)measures and projects for the development and implementation of Community objectives relating to the broad-based, harmonised, comprehensive and longterm monitoring of forests and environmental interactions.

5.3Methods of implementation

The types of actions may be financed either by:

Public procurement contracts

Grant agreements

2OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 807/2003 (OJ L 122, 16.5.2003, p. 36).

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The programme will be managed centrally by the Commission. Part of the programme may be implemented through indirect centralised management, via the delegation of budget implementation tasks to national public-sector bodied or bodies governed by law with a public-sector mission, on the basis of national plans submitted each year (following multiannual strategic programmes)

Technical and financial assistance will be provided, covering the whole life-cycle of projects: this will increase the efficiency of the implementation of the programme, due to the availability of scientific and technical expertise, and the potential higher proximity to the projects to be funded.

6.FINANCIAL IMPACT

6.1.Total financial impact on (ex) part B (over the entire programming period)

6.1.1.Financial intervention

      2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 TOT
                 
Life+ nature and biodiversity 101,979 110,700 120,717 128,840 137,142 146,610 156,929 902,917
                 
Life+ environment policy and 101,979 110,700 120,717 128,840 137,142 146,610 156,929 902,917
governance  
                 
                     
Life+ information and 22,662 24,600 26,826 28,630 30,476 32,580 34,872 200,646
communication  
                 
                     
TOTAL     226,620 246,000 268,260 286,310 304,760 325,800 348,730 2006,480
                     

6.1.2. Technical and administrative assistance, support expenditure and IT expenditure (commitment appropriations)

The estimated breakdown is given for one year (2007). This breakdown should not differ substantially over the whole period.

2007

1) Technical and administrative assistance (ATA):

a)Bureaux dassistance

b)Other technical and administrative assistance:

- intra-muros: 0,3

- extra-muros Life III (6); Life+ (3): 8,7
   
Sub-total 1 9
   
2) Support expenditure  
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a) Studies 2
b) Meetings of experts 1
c) Information and 1
publications  
   
Sub-total 2 4
   
TOTAL 13
   

The development and maintenance of networks and information and computerised systems directly linked to the objectives of the programme and implementation of Community environmental policy and legislation will be carried out through service contracts (public procurement procedures) funded via the operational budget.

6.2.Calculation of the costs by type of measure/action planned in (ex) part B (for the whole programming period)

At this point in time it is not possible to provide either an accurate estimate of the number of projects envisaged for each year, or the average cost of each measure. The table below indicates the expected breakdown of the annual allocation for one year (2007) by type of intervention.

Among the priority areas of intervention are: Natura 2000, Climate Change and the Thematic Strategies.

The sum of the different measures proposed will remain within the allocation granted to the ENV policy area, following the annual budget procedure.

Commitments in million

Breakdown Total cost for one year (2007)
   
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Grants to projects via national agencies :      
nature and biodiversity; environment      
policy and governance; information and      
communication        
- implementation        
- knowledge base   141    
- capacity building      
  20    
- communication      
  20    
       
Actions at Community level   10 191 (84%)
       
- grants to projects/operating grants      
- policy support initiatives : studies,      
awareness raising   12    
    24 36 (16%)
         
Total cost     227  
         

7.IMPACT ON STAFF AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE

7.1.Impact on human resources

There will be no additional impact on human resources but an estimate of the staff involved in managing the financial side of the programme is as follows:

      Staff to be assigned to management    
      of the action using existing and/or   Description of tasks deriving from the
Types of post     additional resources Total
      action
      Number of permanent posts  
         
           
    A 37    
Officials or B 31    
temporary staff      
         
    C 17    
           
Total     85    
           
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7.2.Overall financial impact of human resources

Type of human resources Amount () Method of calculation *
       
Officials 6562.56 K 37 x 108 000
  31 x 57 924
Temporary staff  
  17 x 45 348
   
       
Total 6562.56 K    
       

The amounts are total expenditure for twelve months.

The human and administrative expenditure requested under the LIFE+ programme is in line with the current situation for DG Environment. In principle, no extra human resources will be required in relation to this programme.

In any case, the level of expenditure for human and administrative resources (including IT expenditure) for LIFE+ will remain within the allocation granted by the Budgetary Authority each year in the course of the budgetary process for policy area Environment.

7.3.Other administrative expenditure deriving from the action

There will be no overall increase in the DGs administrative expenditure on meetings and missions. As an indication, the following table shows the likely costs of the regulatory committee meetings for the programme, which will be financed out of the DGs annual allocation for this type of expenditure.

Budget line Amount Method of calculation
(number and heading)
   
     
Overall allocation (Title 07)    
07031 – Committees (regulatory and management) 81K 3 meetings x 27 members x 1K
07030 – Experts meetings    
07010 – Missions 129K 129 missions x 1K
Other expenditure (specify)    
       
Total   210K  
       

The amounts are total expenditure for twelve months.

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I. Annual total (7.2 + 7.3) 6 772 560
II. Duration of action 7 years
III. Total cost of action (I x II) 47 407 920*
     

This amount is purely indicative. The cost of the 7-year period will not result from the simple multiplication of the 2007 amount: a small increase in the allocation is foreseen for every subsequent year (see table 2.3(c); the amount for the 7-year period is estimated at 50.3 m instead of the 47.4m resulting from the table above).

8.FOLLOW-UP AND EVALUATION

8.1.Follow-up arrangements

Each file - grant agreement or market contract – is followed by the responsible Commission service. All files are monitored during the whole life-cycle. Beneficiaries of Community grants and/or contributions are required to report to the Commission on the implementation of the projects/activities (from both the technical and the financial viewpoint). A report is also required to contractors after the completion of their work. All these provisions, including methods, conditions, deliverables, etc. are included in the grant agreements and in the public procurement contracts.

All the procedures for the implementation and the follow-up of this programme will be in compliance with the provisions of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) N° 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities.

8.2Arrangements and schedule for the planned evaluation

As provided for under Article 12 of the Regulation, the multi-annual programmes will be monitored regularly in order to follow the implementation of activities carried out under each strand. The programme, LIFE+, will be subject to a mid-term and final evaluation in order assess its contribution to the development of Community environmental policy and the use made of the appropriations. The final evaluation will be carried out not later than one year before the programme ends and shall be submitted to the EP and the Council

9.ANTI-FRAUD MEASURES

As stated in point 8.1 above, potential beneficiaries and contractors shall comply with the provisions of the Financial Regulation and provide the evidence of their financial and legal soundness.

For grants, they are required to supply provisional statements of income and expenditure related to the project/activity for which funding is requested. Payments are made on the basis of the terms and conditions related to the grant agreement and on the basis of expenditure and income statements duly certified by the beneficiary and checked by the relevant service of the

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Commission. On the spot controls are also possible and beneficiaries are required to keep all details and supporting documents for a period of 5 years after the completion of the project.

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