TellUs: the EU Environmental Policy Lab — Training day at the Commission's Joint Research Centre

On 19 October 2018, the students of the Tellus: EU Environmental Policy Lab joined for a full training day at the Commission's Join Research Centre. The day started with a general discussion of challenges to environmental policies by Mr Laurent BONTOUX (DG JRC) and Ms Joanna DRAKE, Deputy Director-General of DG ENV, followed by a simulation game. In the afternoon, several experts of DG ENV discussed a selection of topics and tools of EU environmental policies.

The full agenda of the meeting is available below.

MORNING SESSION : ‘SCENARIO EXPLORATION’ OF EU ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES

9.30 – 10.30 – WELCOME AND FRAMING OF THE DAY

Joanna DRAKE, Deputy Director General DG Environment

Laurent BONTOUX, JRC Policy Lab

• Objectives of the day
• Short presentation of participants
• Presentation of the JRC Policy Lab

10.30 – 13.15 : SERIOUS GAME AND SHORT MODERATED DISCUSSION (see background)

13.15 – 14.00 : LUNCH (sandwiches offered by the Commission)

14.00 – 14.30– JOINT REFLECTIONS ON THE OUTCOMES OF THE SERIOUS GAME

• What does it tell us for the design of environmental policy?
• Would scenarios result in a radically different policy design?
• H. BRUNINCKX described different ‘transition pathways’ – in how far are these recognizable in certain scenarios?

AFTERNOON SESSION : A DEEP DIVE INTO EU ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY TOOLS

14.30 – 15.30 : EU POLICY TOOLS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES (see background)

1. Nature protection: From the first Birds Directive in 1979 to the post-2020 Biodiversity strategy, Nicola NOTARO, DG Environment, Head of Unit Nature Protection [20 min]
   
   • Policies/Legislations: Birds and Habitats Directives
   • Main policy tools:
     
     • Protected species, protected areas
     • Funding (Life Programme)
     • International conventions (CITES)
   • Future outlook

1. Environment and health: The case of emissions and air quality, Ian HODGSON, DG Environment, Industrial Emissions and Safety [10 min] – Roxana LESOVICI or Thomas HENRICHS, DG Environment, Clean Air [10 min]
   
   • Main policies/legislation: Industrial Emission Directive, Air Quality Directives
   • Main policy instruments:
     
     • Limits (air pollution, emissions)
     • Standards
     • Infringements
   • Future outlook

1. Green Economy: An integrated approach to environment and economy: the Circular Economy package and Sustainable Finance, William NEALE, DG Environment, Adviser Circular Economy and Green Growth [10 min]  - Tom VERHEYE, DG Environment, Principal Adviser Green Finance and Investments  [10 min]
   
   • Main policies/legislation: Circular Economy Action Plan, Plastic Strategy, Sustainable Finance Action Plan
   • Main policy instruments:
     
     • Standards, guidance
     • Market instruments
     • Harmonisation of definitions, measurements
   • Future outlook

15.30-16.30 : WORLD CAFE DISCUSSION

• Focused discussions on EU policy tools and future developments – 3 groups – Speakers will participate and rotate every 20 min

16.30-17.00 : FINAL WRAP-UP

Joanna DRAKE, Deputy Director General DG Environment