The European Commission has recognised Spain with one of the 6 “Best LIFE projects” in the field of Nature and Biodiversity, which it awards each year, and which in this edition has rewarded the work carried out within the framework of the LIFE+ project Preparation of the Framework for Priority Action, which has been coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Food and Environment.
This project, which had a budget of close to 600,000 euros and lasted more than two years, was born with the aim of improving the management and financing capacity of the Natura 2000 Network (the largest network of protected natural areas in the world) in Spain, the country that contributes the most territory to this Network in the European Union with more than 27% of the land area and 8% of the world’s the marina, which will increase to 10% thanks to the LIFE IP Intemares project, coordinated by the Ministry through the Biodiversity Foundation.
To achieve these objectives, the Priority Action Framework (MAP) for the Natura 2000 Network was drawn up, in accordance with the requirements of the Habitats Directive. The MAP includes the strategic priorities and the necessary conservation measures to be carried out in the sites that make up the Natura 2000 Network and the mechanisms for their financing.
MAIN RESULTS OF THE MAP
Among the main results obtained thanks to the execution of this project, the approval of the MAP stands out, developed through the Working Group led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and Environment and participated by the different Autonomous Communities and more than 130 experts.
This text was sent to the European Commission and integrated the five strategic conservation priorities (improving knowledge, ensuring effective management, ensuring favourable conservation status, intensifying monitoring and providing information, training and awareness-raising on the Natura 2000 Network); four cross-cutting investment priorities (climate change mitigation and adaptation, training, awareness-raising and promotion of cooperation, promotion of sustainable tourism and employment in relation to the Natura 2000 Network); and 200 measures for the conservation of protected areas.
In addition, funding opportunities for the Natura 2000 Network were identified and assessed through the Structural Funds (European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), European Social Fund (ESF), European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). innovative financing mechanisms, including Habitat Banks, and a system for their implementation in the Natura 2000 Network was designed. Regionally, the effectiveness of the priorities and measures established in the MAP was demonstrated through the application of this strategic document in the Natura 2000 Network of Castilla y León.
All these works were also presented and discussed within the framework of a Working Group on Biodiversity, created within the framework of the Network of Environmental Authorities coordinated by the Ministry.
AWARD CEREMONY IN BRUSSELS
This award recognises the best LIFE projects closed in 2016 and 2017 and among them the “Best of the best” will be chosen and announced at a ceremony that will take place on 23 May in Brussels within the framework of the Green Week organised by the European Commission.
The other Spanish project awarded was LIFE Albufera, coordinated by the Polytechnic University of Valencia and co-financed by the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and the Environment.
