The flow of policy and legislation coming from the EU institutions on sustainable development is already substantial and is likely to grow. Key recent developments include:
Climate and Energy Package – national governments have agreed ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing renewables by 2020. In order to meet the EU and UK targets for reduction of CO2 , the region needs to take action and tackle the three sources of emissions identified by the West Midlands Regional Economic Strategy: the home, transport and the economy.
Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) – the CAP is a substantial part of the EU budget and is undergoing a process of continuous reform. The West Midlands benefits from the CAP through direct payments to farmers and the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) which supports the diversification of rural economies at the local level. Further reform is likely to shift resources towards wider rural development.
Forthcoming Developments – a number of other initiatives relate to energy, waste, the urban environment, biodiversity, green public procurement and the EU’s environmental technology sector.
While the region needs to keep up with the flow of policy and legislations coming from EU institutions on sustainable development, there are a range of EU funding opportunities available to support regional and local initiatives in these areas. Specific funding is available under:
7th Framework Programme - relating to energy and environment themes, the Concerto programme for area-based energy projects
Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP) - which includes the Intelligent Energy Europe programme and the eco-innovation programme
Interreg – includes dedicated priorities relating to environment and energy
LIFE+ - is a fund for supporting the implementation EU environment policy and legislation
The European Strategy Environment and Rural Group (ESERG) has been established to increase regional participation in the climate change and environmental programmes and initiatives. It is chaired and facilitated by the Government Office for the West Midlands and supported by a dedicated officer at Advantage West Midlands dealing with the environmental and climate change agenda.