Common use of Biodiversity Clause in Contracts

Biodiversity. Slovenia is characterised by extremely diverse and relatively well-preserved nature; especially characteristic are forests, underground and aquatic ecosystems, wetlands, sea, alpine and mountain areas, dry grasslands and others. A favourable conservation status of habitat types in Slovenia applies to nearly half of the habitat types, but over 60% of species do not reach a favourable conservation status. Slovenia has included 37.9% of its territory in the Natura 2000 network. Around 70% of the network is covered by forest. The remaining non-forest areas within Natura 2000 comprise agricultural land (20%), the most important being extensive ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇. Despite a variety of protection arrangements and 84 ▇▇▇▇://▇▇▇.▇▇.▇▇▇-▇▇.▇▇/sites/default/files/do_slovenija_nacionalna_8_5.ppt.pdf considerable improvements in some areas (Natura 2000, protected areas, introduction of agri- environmental payments, protection measures in forests, planning in the field of freshwater fishing), the conservation status of many habitats and species has deteriorated in a relatively short period of time in Slovenia. This was mainly the result of increasing pressures on biodiversity, mainly due to the expansion of settled areas, the construction of industrial areas and traffic routes, intensification of interesting agricultural land in flat areas, and abandonment of land use in high and remote areas, which is corroborated by the monitoring of populations of farmland birds, which is an important indicator of biodiversity. The surface covered by agri-environmental measures is still too small, and coupled with the trend in the intensification of agriculture cannot provide for the preservation of habitats and species85. According to SORS86, 30% of foreign tourists are attracted to Slovenia by the preserved landscape, which is a precondition for safeguarding jobs in the protected areas as well as maintaining the share of tourism services exports, values and ecosystem services, which also represents a great opportunity for Slovenia’s development. Therefore, the next financial perspective will see support for completing the establishment of a system for managing the Natura 2000 sites. Investments will focus on maintaining a favourable status of species and habitat types of Community interest. Where appropriate, synergies will be sought (natural and cultural heritage) for managing tourist visits to Natura 2000 sites and protected areas with a view to increasing their attraction as tourist destinations, and simultaneously reducing the negative impacts of tourism on biodiversity in these areas. Accommodation capacities for tourists will not be supported. In order for activities not to have a major effect on Natura 2000 sites or areas affecting these sites, a statement by the ministry responsible for monitoring the status of Natura 2000 sites will have to be obtained. In terms of access to refundable finance for SMEs, programmes/projects (TO 3) that take into account the specific requirements of the Natura 2000 sites are envisaged to receive support. In synergy with the implementation of flood protection measures and measures targeting the improved hydromorphological status of waters, support at Natura 2000 sites will also be given to the construction of green infrastructure, and only exceptionally for the purchase of important nature conservation properties, with the objective of preserving and restoring ecosystems that provide key ecosystem services. The measures indicated in the priority action framework for the Natura 2000 sites (PAF87) will be defined in more detail in the Operational Programme for Natura 2000 site management for the 2014–2020 period. The relevant measures will receive co-financing under the ERDF. The aforementioned measures will, inter alia, contribute to the objective of the EU Biodiversity Strategy. Slovenia should also find a way to enhance the drawing of EU funds under the LIFE+ programme for the purpose of preserving biodiversity 88.

Biodiversity. Slovenia is characterised by extremely diverse and relatively well-preserved nature; especially characteristic are forests, underground and aquatic ecosystems, wetlands, sea, alpine and mountain areas, dry grasslands and others. A favourable conservation status of habitat types in Slovenia applies to nearly half of the habitat types, but over 60% of species do not reach a favourable conservation status. Slovenia has included 37.9% of its territory in the Natura 2000 network. Around 70% of the network is covered by forest. The remaining non-forest areas within Natura 2000 comprise agricultural land (20%), the most important being extensive ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇. Despite a variety of protection arrangements and 84 ▇▇▇▇://▇▇▇.▇▇.▇▇▇-▇▇.▇▇/sites/default/files/do_slovenija_nacionalna_8_5.ppt.pdf considerable improvements in some areas (Natura 2000, protected areas, introduction of agri- agri-environmental payments, protection measures in forests, planning in the field of freshwater fishing), the conservation status of many habitats and species has deteriorated in a relatively short period of time in Slovenia. This was mainly the result of increasing pressures on biodiversity, mainly due to the expansion of settled areas, the construction of industrial areas and traffic routes, intensification of interesting agricultural land in flat areas, and abandonment of land use in high and remote areas, which is corroborated by the monitoring of populations of farmland birds, which is an important indicator of biodiversity. The surface covered by agri-environmental measures is still too small, and coupled with the trend in the intensification of agriculture cannot provide for the preservation of habitats and species85species88. According to SORS86SORS89, 30% of foreign tourists are attracted to Slovenia by the preserved landscape, which is a precondition for safeguarding jobs in the protected areas as well as maintaining the share of tourism services exports, values and ecosystem services, which also represents a great opportunity for Slovenia’s development. Therefore, the next financial perspective will see support for completing the establishment of a system for managing the Natura 2000 sites. Investments will focus on maintaining a favourable status of species and habitat types of Community interest. Where appropriate, synergies will be sought (natural and cultural heritage) for managing tourist visits to Natura 2000 sites and protected areas with a view to increasing their attraction as tourist destinations, and simultaneously reducing the negative impacts of tourism on biodiversity in these areas. Accommodation capacities for tourists will not be supported. In order for activities not to have a major effect on Natura 2000 sites or areas affecting these sites, a statement by the ministry responsible for monitoring the status of Natura 2000 sites will have to be obtained. In terms of access to refundable finance for SMEs, programmes/projects (TO 3) that take into account the specific requirements of the Natura 2000 sites are envisaged to receive support. In synergy with the implementation of flood protection measures and measures targeting the improved hydromorphological status of waters, support at Natura 2000 sites will also be given to the construction of green infrastructure, 88 Analysis of meeting the targets of the Strategy for biodiversity preservation in Slovenia, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, 2012 89 Foreign holiday tourists according to the month of the survey, type of building, type of municipality, country of residence and the motives for holidaying in Slovenia, Slovenia, 2012, ▇▇▇▇://▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇.▇▇/tema_ekonomsko_turizem_anketa_2012.asp ▇▇▇▇://▇▇.▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇/public_opinion/flash/fl_328_en.pdf and only exceptionally for the purchase of important nature conservation properties, with the objective of preserving and restoring ecosystems that provide key ecosystem services. The measures indicated in the priority action framework for the Natura 2000 sites (PAF87PAF90) will be defined in more detail in the Operational Programme for Natura 2000 site management for the 2014–2020 period. The relevant measures will receive co-financing under the ERDF. The aforementioned measures will, inter alia, contribute to the objective of the EU Biodiversity Strategy. Slovenia should also find a way to enhance the drawing of EU funds under the LIFE+ programme for the purpose of preserving biodiversity 8891.