As the preparation of the next Karelia CBC Programme is ongoing, stakeholder event on Environment was organised in April, 2021.
In the event especially the specific objectives were discussed. A list of specific objectives has been defined by the European Commission for each policy objective. During the programming process the most relevant specific objectives are identified. The objective of the event was to get feedback to the shortlisted specific objectives and to identify activities that could be implemented under each specific objectives. Not all shortlisted objectives are necessary included to the programme.
Under the priority “Environment” five potential specific objectives were discussed:
- Energy efficiency
- Climate change adaptation
- Sustainable water management
- Circular economy
- Nature protection and biodiversity
All these specific objectives were considered relevant for the programme region even though the climate change adaptation was the least popular among the participants. Circular economy and energy efficiency were as relevant for participating organisations, closely followed by nature protection.
When asked on the activities that could be implemented under Energy Efficiency smallscale solar/wind energy production for rural and remote areas was by far the most popular suggestions followed by, for example, pilot sites as learning sites for energy efficiency, development of energy efficient logistics tools for people and goods and defining organizations with high use of fossils and proposing solutions with reduced greenhouse gas generation.
When Climate Change Adaption was discussed it was noted that instead of adaptation we could talk about resilience. The activities suggested included, for example, promoting green standards and certification, and the green procurement of goods and services, increasing charging network for electric vehicles in remote areas and transfer of know-how (FIN-RUS) in the field of Black Carbon emission mitigation.
In Sustainable Water Management the most popular suggested activity was wastewater treatment options developed for small, rural communities. Also, for example, enhancing the quality of the cross-border rivers for the fish, developing wastewater facilities in remote/rural areas next to bigger lakes and training of water management specialists were mentioned.
Circular Economy generated ideas such as smallscale solutions for waste sorting and recycling in rural settlements, development of support structures that encourage waste management/recycling, enhancing second-hand store networks and creating an innovation hub for new ideas for waste recycling.
When discussed on Nature Protection and Biodiversity activities mentioned included, for example, cooperation of the national parks and nature reserves, promoting eco-tourism, reclaiming and restoring habitats for endangered species locally and responsible fishing.
The priority wass highly interesting among the participants of the stakeholder event: 100% answered it is likely or highly likely their organisation will submit an application to the priority.
More feedback?
Not all the specific objectives listed here will necessary make to the programme. If you consider some of the objectives highly relevant or have an idea on an activity that could be implemented under the priority, feel free to send us an email kareliacbc[at]kareliacbc.info.
