Actions related to objective 5.4

Full text of the objective 5.4 "Identify in strategic planning the negative and positive effects of the different sectoral policies (land-use planning, transport, energy) on priority elements of biodiversity, and take measures to correct or strengthen these effects" from the National Strategy

Flanders:

Procedure of plan- or strategic EIA is compulsory for new projects and plans and includes assessments of possible impacts on natural values, fauna and flora as well as the integration of mitigation of impacts and of compensation measures. Nature Division participates in the plan development for land-use planning (spatial implementation plans). Cooperation with Administrations for Roads and for Water Ways supports nature oriented development and management of verges.

• Geïntegreerd gebiedsgericht beleid: ggb streeft naar een doorgedreven afstemming tussen diverse beleidsdomeinen zoals milieu, economie, ruimtelijke ordening, mobiliteit, landbouw, waarbij alle beleidsdomeinen als gelijkwaardige partners worden beschouwd.
• MR 376 Participeren aan en stimuleren van projecten met het oog op meer externe integratie, zowel op lokaal als op Vlaams niveau
• Mobiliteitsplan Vlaanderen?
• Vlaams Klimaatbeleidsplan?

Brussels:

Procedures of EIA for new projects and plans and includes assessments of possible impact on natural values, fauna and flora as well as the integration of mitigation of impacts and of compensation measures.
Concertation with road administrations needs more effectiveness.
Concertations with land-use planning needs more effectiveness.

Federal:

Inclusion of biodiversity criteria in the draft manual aiming to guide plans and programs authors to implement legislation of 13/02/2006 on environment impact evaluation of plan and programs.

Future actions:

• Identification and investigation of activities with potential negative impacts and allow solutions (including better alternatives) to be identified that avoid or minimise the impacts of sectoral policies on biodiversity;
• Boost activities that have a potentially positive effect on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Early discussions between the sectors and biodiversity experts could help identify such ‘win-win' situations and improve the positive interactions;
• Clear and legally binding rules allowing competent authorities to refuse projects and plans that would lead to irreversible damage for the priority elements of biodiversity, unless justified by imperative reasons of major public interest;
• Environmental impact assessment (EIA) and strategic environmental assessment (SEA) procedures must include biodiversity criteria and should refer to relevant national policy documents such as the Belgian Biodiversity Strategy, the CBD and biodiversity-related conventions and agreements;
• Link the strategic planification (evaluation of impacts of plans and programs related to envi¬onment) with public participation;
• Provide guidance to the initiators of relevant projects, plans and programmes to assess whether their projects, plans and programmes would be likely to cause any significant effects on biodiversity and if so, whether they should be subject to an SEA;
• Take into account a set of criteria on biodiversity aspects into consideration during the environmental assessment, i.e. in the evaluation report, could also be useful in this regard.