Brussels, 18/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - In order to help inland waterway transport to apply EU legislation on protection of nature, the European Commission published, on Thursday 18 October, new guidelines for the sector, which is less polluting than overland transport but which can do more to safeguard biodiversity.
The policy paper, entitled “Inland waterway transport and Natura 2000 - sustainable inland waterway development and management in the context of the EU Birds and Habitats Directives”, is based on an integrated approach for inland navigation and the protection of nature with a view to ensuring the sustainable development of a sector for goods transport throughout Europe (some 500 million tonnes of cargo annually). The guidelines highlight in this respect that the Natura 2000 sites, the pan-European network of protected natural areas, are not designed to be “no development zones”, and that inland navigation is important for the long-term viability of the European transport network.
“This transport sector is considered to be safe, energy efficient and more environmentally friendly than other transport modes. But as it is one of many users of our rivers, it needs to be developed in an ecologically sustainable way”, said Siim Kallas, European Transport Commissioner. Janez Potocnik, his colleague for the environment, sees the document as a “a useful tool to increase understanding between investors, planners, decision-makers and nature conservation promoters, enabling them to design sustainable navigation projects that meet the objectives of inland waterway transport while still respecting the ecological values of rivers”.
The guidelines highlight the progress made to date by the sector which is already seeking to integrate nature protection into its activities. It explains the legal obligations of infrastructure developers and managers under EU environmental legislation, with particular focus on the Birds and Habitats Directives (79/409/EEC and 92/43/EEC). A number of case studies are presented with examples of best practice showing how inland waterway development and management can go hand-in-hand with nature protection. The guidelines particularly emphasise the benefits of integrated planning, whereby environmental requirements are taken into consideration at every stage of the infrastructure development process, and the participation of different stakeholders including NGOs and civil society, securing win-win solutions for both sectors. (AN/transl.jl)