Guidance on Integrating Climate Change and Biodiversity into ...

Effort SharingDecisionEIA DirectiveEmission tradingscheme and EUEmissions Tradingsystem (EU ETS)EnvironmentalreportEuropean ClimateChangeProgrammeFaunaFloods DirectiveFloraGreeninfrastructureGreenhouse gas(GHG)Habitats DirectiveIndirect effectsKyoto ProtocolMaladaptationMaximumsustainable yield(MSY)• provisioning services e.g. wild foods, crops, fresh water and plant-derived medicines;• regulating services e.g. filtration of pollutants by wetlands, climate regulation through carbonstorage and water cycling, pollination and protection from disasters;• cultural services e.g. recreation, spiritual and aesthetic values, education;• supporting services e.g. soil formation, photosynthesis and nutrient cycling. (TEEB, 2010)A Decision that sets annual binding GHG emission targets for Member States for the 2013–2020period. These targets concern emissions from sectors not included in the EU Emissions TradingSystem (ETS) — such as transport, buildings, agriculture and waste. It is part of a package of policiesand measures on climate change and energy that will help transform Europe into a low-carboneconomy and increase its energy security.Directive 2011/92/EU on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on theenvironment [codification], OJ L 26, 28.1.2012, p.1. The EIA Directive requires that Member Statesensure that, before development consent is given, projects likely to have significant effects on theenvironment because of their nature, size or location are made subject to an assessment of theenvironmental effects.A market mechanism that allows those bodies (such as countries, companies or manufacturingplants) that emit (release) GHGs into the atmosphere, to buy and sell these emissions (as permitsor allowances) amongst themselves. Emissions mean the release of GHGs and/or their precursorsinto the atmosphere over a set area and period of time. The European Union Emission tradingsystem (EU ETS) is based on the idea that creating a price for carbon offers the most cost-effectiveway to achieve the significant cuts in global GHG emissions that are needed to prevent climatechange from reaching dangerous levels.Document required by the SEA Directive as part of an environmental assessment, which identifies,describes and evaluates the likely significant effects on the environment of implementing a PP. TheSEA Directive states that the environmental report shall mean the part of the plan or programmedocumentation containing the information required in Article 5 and Annex I.A programme launched by the European Commission in June 2000. Its goal is to identify anddevelop all the necessary elements of the EU strategy to implement the Kyoto Protocol.The animals of a particular region or habitat.Directive 2007/60/EC on the assessment and management of flood risks, OJ L288, 6.11.2007, p.27,requires Member States to assess if all water courses and coast lines are at risk from flooding; tomap the flood extent and assets and humans at risk in these areas; and to take adequate andcoordinated measures to reduce this flood risk. The Directive also reinforces the rights of the publicto access this information and to have a say in the planning process.The plants of a particular region or habitat.Green infrastructure serves the interests of both people and nature. It can be defined as astrategically planned and delivered network of high quality green spaces and other environmentalfeatures. Green infrastructure includes natural and semi-natural areas, features and green spacesin rural and urban, terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine areas. It should be designed andmanaged as a multifunctional resource capable of delivering a wide range of benefits and services.Areas protected as Natura 2000 sites are at the core of green infrastructure.Any atmospheric gas (either natural or anthropogenic in origin) which absorbs thermal radiationemitted by the Earth’s surface. This traps heat in the atmosphere and keeps the surface at awarmer temperature than would otherwise be possible.Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wildfauna and flora, as amended, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p.7.Effects that occur away from the immediate location or timing affected by the implementation of aPP, e.g. quarrying of aggregates elsewhere as a result of implementing new road proposals includedin plan or programme (see also secondary effects).The Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was adopted in1997 (Kyoto, Japan). It contains legally binding commitments, in addition to those included in theUNFCCC. Countries included in Annex B of the Protocol (most OECD countries and EITs) agreed toreduce their anthropogenic emissions of GHGs (CO 2 , CH 4 , N 2 O, HFCs, PFCs, and SF 6 ) by at least 5 %below 1990 levels in the commitment period 2008 – 2012.An action or process that increases vulnerability to climate change-related hazards. Maladaptiveactions and processes often include planned development policies and measures that deliver shorttermgains or economic benefits, but increase vulnerability in the medium to long-term.Maximum sustainable yield (MSY) is the largest long-term average catch or yield that can be takenfrom a stock or stock complex under prevailing ecological and environmental conditions.<strong>Guidance</strong> on integrating climate change and biodiversity into SEA 7