June 2007
A monthly e-newsletter by UNEP/MAP
IN THIS ISSUE:
UNEP NEWS
ICZM Protocol Text Agreed And Ready For Submission
12th Meeting Of MCSD Focus On Climate Change
To COP
The 12th Meeting of the Mediterranean Commission for Sustain-
Hot Renewable Energy Investments Fuelled By Cli-
During the meeting of the Working Group of Legal and Technical
able Development was held in Istanbul, Turkey, 29 May ­ 2 June.
mate Change Worries
Experts that took place in Split (Croatia), agreement was reached
The main item on the agenda was the issue of climate change in
the Mediterranean.
Climate change worries coupled with high oil prices and increasing
on the fi nal draft text of the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone
government support top a set of drivers fuelling soaring rates
Management.
of investment in the renewable energy and energy effi
ciency
ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
industries, according to a trend analysis from the UN Environment
UNEP/MAP Successfully Drives GEF Project Home
Programme (UNEP).
The Regional Component of the GEF Project "Strategic Partnership
Protection Of Mediterranean Coral Rejected At CITES
for the Mediterranean Large Marine Ecosystem" has been approved
The Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International
MAP COMPONENTS
by the GEF Council this June 2007...
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES),
which took place in The Hague, Netherlands, from 3 to 15 June
and BARCELONA CONVENTION
International Forum Prepares Mediterranean Report
decided on a series of measures to protect endangered species.
On Water Scarcity And Droughts
MAP Meets Tunisian Minister For Environment ­
In the framework of the 2nd phase of the Mediterranean EU Water
EC Suggestions For A Rapid Adaptation To Climate
Climate Change Conference To Be Held In November
Initiative & Water Framework Directive Joint Process, Blue Plan
Change
In Tunisia
participated in the meeting of the Mediterranean "Water Scarcity
With the eff ects of climate change already perceptible, the
During a bilateral meeting at the end of June, MAP Coordinator
and Droughts" working group.
European Commission believes that it is possible to take a certain
Paul Mifsud and the Tunisian Minister of Environment and
number of adaptation measures at EU level right now to tackle the
Sustainable Development HE Mr. Nahdir Hamada discussed the
11th Euro-Mediterranean Economic Transition Confer-
problem
country's initiative to organise a major conference on Climate
ence Focus On The Environment
Change in the Mediterranean next November.
MAP Coordinator Paul Mifsud was invited to deliver a presentation
Consultation On Maritime Policy
and chair the opening session of the 11th Euro-Mediterranean
Representatives of the EU's scientifi c community met on 22 June,
MEDPOL Programme Moves Into Phase IV
Economic Transition Conference, organized by the European
in order to respond to the European Commission's ongoing consul-
MEDPOL Phase IV operation plan was approved, as well as its
Commission on the 18th and 19th June 2007 in Brussels.
tation on a future European maritime policy.
activities for the 2008-2009 biennium at the meeting of MEDPOL
National Focal Points held in Hammamet, Tunisia, on the 25 ­ 27
Horizon 2020 Committee Meeting
Rising Temperatures Force Red Sea Marine Species To
June.
During the fi rst meeting of the Steering Committee for the Horizon
Move To The Mediterranean
2020, which took place in Marrakech (Morocco) on 5-6 June,
Rising sea temperatures could be the cause of the rising infl ux of
participants reviewed the activities carried out so far, and focused
marine species from the Red Sea into the Eastern Mediterranean.
on defi ning the implementation of the road map.

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INDEX
UNEP NEWS
MAP COMPONENTS and BARCELONA CONVENTION

HOT RENEWABLE ENERGY INVESTMENTS
MAP MEETS TUNISIAN MINISTER FOR
Hammamet, Tunisia, on the 25 ­ 27 June.
UNEP NEWS
FUELLED BY CLIMATE CHANGE WORRIES
ENVIRONMENT ­

The meeting was opened by H.E. Mr. Nadhir Hamada,
Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development
Hot renewable
CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE TO BE HELD
Climate change worries coupled with high oil prices
of Tunisia, who underlined the excellent relation
energy investments
IN NOVEMBER IN TUNISIA
and increasing government support top a set of drivers
between his country and UNEP/MAP referring to several
fuelled by climate
fuelling soaring rates of investment in the renewable
activities carried out over the years. The MEDPOL
change worries
During a bilateral
energy and energy effi
ciency industries, according to
meeting was organised with the support and fi nancial
meeting at the
a trend analysis from the UN Environment Programme
participation of the Tunisian Government.
MAP
end of June, MAP
(UNEP).

"Tunisia has always considered that social and
COMPONENTS
Coordinator Paul

According to UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner:
economic development and environmental protection
Mifsud and the
and BARCELONA "One of the new and fundamental messages of this
go hand in hand. In this spirit we adhered to the
Tunisian Minister
CONVENTION
report is that renewable energies are no longer subject
Convention for the protection of the Mediterranean
of Environment
to the vagaries of
against pollution (Barcelona Convention), its
and Sustainable
MAP meets Tunisian
rising and falling
Protocols and its amendements, in order to protect
Development HE
minister for environ-
oil prices--they are
the Mediterranean region and to contribute to the
Mr. Nahdir Hamada
ment ­
becoming generating
improvement of life quality for its citizens [...].
discussed the
Climate change con-
systems of choice for

Our support to the MAP's eff orts has been and will
country's initiative
ference to be held in
increasing numbers
always be a constant trait of our cooperation policy
to organise a major
november in Tunisia
of power companies,
in the fi eld of environmental protection", said H.E. Mr
conference on
communities and countries irrespective of the costs of
Hamada in his speech addressing the meeting.
Climate Change in
MEDPOL programme fossil fuels".

The MEDPOL representatives addressed the activities
the Mediterranean next November.
moves into Phase IV

Renewables now compete head-on with coal and
carried out during the present biennium and discussed

The conference is an initiative of the Tunisian

gas in terms of new installed generating capacity and
the activities proposed for 2008 ­ 2009, which were
President himself, to which have been invited Heads
the portion of world energy produced from renewable
approved and will be transmitted to the Contracting
of State and Government from all over Europe and

sources is sure to rise substantially as the tens of billions
Parties for adoption. Other topics included the review
Africa, as well as heads of UN agencies, including
of new investment dollars bear fruit.
and approval of MEDPOL Phase IV, the process for the
UNEP Executive Director, and other international

While renewable sources today produce about 2%
preparation of the new legally-binding text containing
organisations.
of the world's energy, they now account for about 18%
measures and timetables for pollution reduction in

UNEP/MAP has been requested to support this
of world investment in power generation, with wind
accordance with article 15 of the LBS Protocol, and data
initiative by sponsoring the participation of delegates
generation at the investment forefront. Solar and bio-
policy within the MEDPOL Information System.
from the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona
fuel energy technologies grew even more quickly than

Participants also heard a presentation about the
Convention.
wind, but from a smaller base.
stage reached by UNEP/MAP in the process for the

Says Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the UN
application of the ecosystem approach that will be
MEDPOL PROGRAMME MOVES INTO PHASE
Convention on Climate Change: "As governments
applied to all MAP components. The roadmap for the
prepare to begin a new round of post-2012 climate
IV
application of the ecosystem approach prepared by
change-related negotiations later this year, the report
experts from the Contracting Parties will be submitted
clearly shows that, amid much discussion about the
MEDPOL Phase IV operation plan was approved, as
to the MAP Focal Points and the Contracting Parties
`technologies of tomorrow,' the fi nance sector believes
well as its activities for the 2008-2009 biennium at
meeting.
the existing technologies of today can and will
the meeting of MEDPOL National Focal Points held in
`decarbonize' the energy mix provided the right policies
and incentives are in place at the international level".

"Global Trends in Sustainable Energy Investments", a
UNEP report, 2007 can be downloaded at www.unep.
org

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INDEX
MAP COMPONENTS and BARCELONA CONVENTION
MAP
ICZM PROTOCOL TEXT AGREED AND READY
the Mediterranean Sea basin as identifi ed in the
implemented in the Mediterranean. Its total budget,
COMPONENTS
FOR SUBMISSION TO COP
Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis, and agreed
including co-fi nancing, is expected to exceed $US 250
interventions as outlined in the two Strategic Action
million.
and
During the meeting of the Working Group of Legal
Plans, SAP-BIO and SAP-MED. The two SAPs are now

The large interest generated by this project is proved
BARCELONA
and Technical Experts that took place in Split (Croatia),
ready for implementation.
by the fact that France, Italy and Spain will co-fi nance it
CONVENTION
agreement was reached on the fi nal draft text of the
in cash with an approximate amount of 5 Mil USD, while
Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management.
the EC has agreed to participate together with them
ICZM Protocol text

The draft text will be submitted to the meeting of
and all recipient countries in the Steering Committee
agreed and ready for
the Contracting Parties (COP15) for approval. It will
of the project. This will ensure a strong ownership of
submission to COP
thus be submitted for adoption to the Conference of
the Project by the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona
Plenipotentiaries, which is scheduled to be held back to
Convention while UNEP/MAP, being responsible for its
UNEP/MAP
back with the COP 15.
implementation, will be at the heart of this eff ort.
successfully drives

This successful meeting also marked the 30th
GEF PROJECT home
Anniversary of PAP/RAC, MAP's regional activity centre
The
main objective is to assist basin countries in
INTERNATIONAL FORUM PREPARES
for the Priority Actions Programme. A commemorating
implementing reforms and investments in key sectors
MEDITERRANEAN REPORT ON WATER
International forum
event was organised by the centre, which highlighted its
that address transboundary pollution reduction,
SCARCITY AND DROUGHTS
prepares mediterra-
achievements in the fi eld of coastal zone management,
biodiversity decline, habitat degradation and living
nean report on water in particular its contribution for the development of
resources protection priorities identifi ed in the
In the framework of the 2nd phase of the Mediterranean
scarcity and droughts Coastal Area Management Programmes (CAMPs).
two SAPs. The Partnership will serve as a catalyst in
leveraging policy/legal/institutional reforms as well as
EU Water Initiative & Water Framework Directive Joint
additional investments for reversing degradation of
Process, Blue Plan participated - on the 19th of June,
UNEP/MAP SUCCESSFULLY DRIVES GEF
this damaged large marine ecosystem its contributing
2007 - in the meeting of the Mediterranean "Water
PROJECT HOME
freshwater basins, habitats and coastal aquifers. It
Scarcity and Droughts" working group.
will also develop a strategic regional approach to

This meeting took place in Sevilla during the
The Regional Component of the GEF
investments for greater benefi t to the countries in
International forum on drought (17-20 June) and
Project "Strategic Partnership for the
the region. A specifi c framework will be designed
made it possible to defi ne the objectives, contents
Mediterranean Large Marine Ecosystem"
to replicate and transfer investment experiences
and drafting process of the Mediterranean Report on
has been approved by the GEF Council
throughout the region.
"Water Scarcity and Droughts", which will be presented
this June 2007, endorsing the allocation of funds to

The project activities will be carried out in the
in 2008 to the Water Directors and Ministers in charge
implement the proposed activities.
following GEF eligible countries: Albania, Algeria,
of water issues of the

This is a major success for UNEP/MAP and the
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Egypt, Lebanon,
Euro-Mediterranean and
Barcelona Convention, marking the launch of a Strategic
Libya, Montenegro, Morocco Syria, Tunisia Turkey. The
South-Eastern European
Partnership for the Mediterranean Sea Large Marine
Palestinian Authority also participates.
countries.
Ecosystem by GEF, UNEP and the World Bank. UNEP/

The Strategic Partnership consists of two individual
The
International
MAP has been a strong driver behind the success of the
components, which fi t together to assist the countries in
Forum on Drought
project.
a collaborative manner:
gathered specialists in

In the coming months the GEF team at UNEP/MAP
· Regional Component: Implementation of agreed
diff erent fi elds focused
will focus on the preparation of the Project Document
actions for the protection of the environmental
on analyzing the
and the MOUs, and securing the co-fi nancing.
resources of the Mediterranean Sea and its coastal
phenomenon of drought.
The project approval opens now the way to the
areas (US$ 13 million GEF grant, to be implemented
Experts from around the world shared and deliberated
implementation of specifi c activities starting beginning
by UNEP/MAP and partners)
on appropriate measures to prevent, combat and
of 2008 with a duration of fi ve years.
· Investment Fund for the Mediterranean Sea Large
ameliorate the eff ects of drought. Additionally, the
The
GEF Strategic Partnership for the
Marine Ecosystem Partnership (US$ 85 million GEF
event was used to promote public awareness and to
Mediterranean LME, implemented by UNEP and
grant, implemented by the World Bank).
get society involved in adopting water conservation
the World Bank, and executed by UNEP/MAP,

This will be the largest regional project ever
behaviours.
responds directly to priorities of the countries of

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INDEX
MAP COMPONENTS and BARCELONA CONVENTION
MAP
11TH EURO-MEDITERRANEAN ECONOMIC
of economists and environmental specialists dealt
member of the IPCCC.
COMPONENTS
TRANSITION CONFERENCE FOCUS ON THE
specifi cally with environmental issues. It off ered

The MCSD members agreed on a number of
the opportunity to discuss about their integration
recommendations to be submitted to the 15th
and BARCELONA ENVIRONMENT
(including climate change) into the Mediterranean
Meeting of the Contracting Parties, together with the
CONVENTION
economic analysis and into the agenda of economic
recommendations of the Regional Workshop on Energy
MAP Coordinator Paul Mifsud was
reforms.
and Sustainable Development and Water Demand
11th Euro-Mediter-
invited to deliver a presentation and
Management, organised by Blue Plan in line with the
ranean Economic
chair the opening session of the
programme of work of the MCSD.
Transition Confer-
11th Euro-Mediterranean Economic
HORIZON 2020 COMMITTEE MEETING

MCSD members also proposed amendments to
ence Focus on the
Transition Conference, organized by
the programme of work 2008-2009 presented by
environment
the European Commission on the 18th
During the fi rst meeting of the Steering Committee
the Secretariat, and proposed changes to the MSSD
and 19th June 2007 in Brussels.
for the Horizon 2020, which took place in Marrakech
Communication Strategy developed by INFO/RAC,
Horizon 2020

Paul Mifsud presented the work carried out by MAP
(Morocco) on 5-6 June, participants reviewed the
which will now be revised before it is submitted to the
comittee meeting
and outlined the main principles and objectives of the
activities carried out so far, and focused on defi ning the
next meeting of MAP Focal Points.
Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development
implementation of the road map.
12th meeting of
as the basis for sustainable development in the

The main items tackled were the pollution reduction ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
MCSD focus on
region. Environmental challenges were highlighted, in
activities developed by EIB in cooperation with MED
climate change
particular the poor management of natural resources
POL, the marine pollution assessment and control
and the degradation in the fi eld of agriculture,
component of UNEP/MAP, and the work on indicators
PROTECTION OF MEDITERRANEAN CORAL
over-used water resources, rapid growth of waste,
coordinated by the EEA.
REJECTED AT CITES
ENVIRONMENTAL urbanization, tourism over-development, unsustainable MED POL work on the formulation of National
NEWS
consumption and production, coastal zones and land-
Diagnostic Analyses and NAPs to address land-based
The Conference of the Parties to the Convention on
based pollution.
pollution was appreciated by the participants, which
International Trade in Endangered
Protection of

One of the working groups addressed the issue of
underlined its signifi cance for the preparatory work on
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
mediterranean coral
Horizon 2020 and environmental integration in the
the Horizon 2020.
(CITES), which took place in The
rejected at CITES
European Neighbourhood Policy action plans. Both

At the same time, the Horizon 2020 team including
Hague, Netherlands, from 3 to
the EC and EIB Representatives acknowledged that
a MED POL representative visited Syria and Tunisia
15 June decided on a series of measures to protect
EC suggestions for a
this initiative is based on the National Action Plans
mainly to assess the status of implementation of the
endangered species.
rapid adaptation to
developed by the Mediterranean countries through
projects identifi ed in the National Action Plans (NAPs)

Proposals for controls on trade in two types of
climate change
the MEDPOL Programme of UNEP/MAP, within the
and to identify the "bankable" projects according to the
shark were rejected as were those for protecting pink
framework of the Land Based Sources Protocol.
European Investment Bank (EIB) criteria.
and red coral, an endangered species typical of the

In addition, MAP promoted the new GEF Strategic

In April, the Horizon 2020 team had conducted its
Mediterranean Basin.
Partnership for the Mediterranean Large Marine
fi rst country visit to Egypt.

Among others, the conference agreed on restrictions
Ecosystem, which was approved by the GEF Council at
on the international trade in sawfi sh, which is
the beginning of June.
12th MEETING OF MCSD FOCUS ON CLIMATE
threatened with being overfi shed.

Both Blue Plan and Cleaner Productions RACs, two of
CHANGE
UNEP/MAP regional activity centres, participated in the
EC SUGGESTIONS FOR A RAPID
conference, and were repeatedly praised for the work
The 12th Meeting of the Mediterranean Commission
ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
they have been conducting in developing countries
for Sustainable Development was held in Istanbul,
in the Mediterranean. Henry Luc Thibault, Director of
Turkey, 29 May ­ 2 June. The main item on the agenda
With the eff ects of climate change already perceptible,
Blue Plan, chaired the session dedicated to the cost of
was the issue of climate change in the Mediterranean.
the European Commission believes that it is possible
non-action and the specifi c urgencies of Mediterranean
Participants to the meeting attended a comprehensive
to take a certain number of adaptation measures at EU
economies.
presentation and questions and answers session on
level right now to tackle the problem. The Commission's

The conference was addressed by Mr Almunia,
the particularities of the Mediterranean climate by
view is that this can be done on the basis of currently
EU Commissioner for Economic & Monetary aff airs,
Mr Filippo Giorgi, from the Abdus Salam International
available instruments and policies. This is what it
who underlined that it was the fi rst time such forum
Centre for Theoretical Physics of Trieste, Italy, and a

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INDEX
ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
UNEP/MAP Key 2007 Dates
ENVIRONMENTAL develops in its green paper, adopted on 27 June and in
projects. The Commission also emphasised the
NEWS
which it proposes a series of options. It will therefore
possibilities which exist for funding under the new
launch a public consultation, which is due to end on 30
2007-2013 7th Framework Programme (FP7).
September publication of
EC suggestions for a
November 2007.

Marine science and technology activities are
UNEP's 4th Global
rapid adaptation to

The green paper
eligible for support from several diff erent themes of
climate change
highlights the eff ects
the FP `cooperation' programme. These include food,
Environmental Outlook
of climate change
agriculture, fi sheries, and biotechnology (total budget
­ GEO4
Cosultation on
that are already being
1.9 billion), energy (2.3 billion), environment (1.8
maritime policy
perceived - on water
billion), and transport (4.1 billion). The Commission's
Mid-
Launch of Greek
resources, ecosystems
consultation process, based on a green paper adopted
September Presidency of the
Rising temperatures
and biodiversity, food (dangers of famines), coastal
in June 2006, will close on 30 June.
Human Security Network
force Red Sea marine
areas (rise in the level of oceans) and human and animal
species to move to the health.
RISING TEMPERATURES FORCE RED SEA
- campaign focused on
Mediterranean

It underlines that the phenomenon poses a double
MARINE SPECIES TO
Climate Change.
challenge, both on a short-term, as well as medium and
MOVE TO THE MEDITERRANEAN
long-term basis.
UNEP/MAP cooperates

In the medium and long term, it can only be
with the Greek Ministry
Rising sea temperatures could be the cause of the rising
countered by considerable reductions in greenhouse
infl ux of marine species from the Red
of Foreign Affairs on a
gas emissions, and a gradual shift towards low carbon
Sea into the Eastern Mediterranean.
economies.
series of events.
Marine biologists on Crete and Rhodes

As a short-term solution, an immediate action would
have noted an increase in the numbers
16-19
MAP Focal Points,
be to introduce reactive adaptation measures where the
of tropical fi sh around the islands,
eff ects of climate change are already apparent, while
October
Madrid, Spain
and say it could be due to rising water
prevent them in case they have already been identifi ed
temperatures.
or can already be anticipated.
24-27
First International
The transfer of sea life from the Red

Among the suggested measures, the Commission
October
Conference on Marine
Sea to the Mediterranean has been
proposes creating a consultative European group for
noted since soon after the completion of
Protected Area,
adaptation so as to encourage the participation of
the Suez Canal in 1869.
all stakeholders (industries, NGOs, public authorities,
France

However, much larger numbers of fi sh and crustacea
private and public sectors) in the consultation process
have been travelling the 163 km through the canal
15th Meeting of the
15th Meeting of the
to defi ne specifi c and detailed actions.
3rd
3r we
d w ek
eek
and seem to be currently thriving and developing
Januar
January
y
Co
C n
o t
n r
t a
r cting Pa
ting P r
a ties
ties
CONSULTATION ON MARITIME POLICY
sustainable population in the eastern Mediterranean.

There is a link between warming seawater and the
2008
2008
to the Barc
to the Bar e
c lona
elona
development of new potential habitats for migrating
Representatives of the EU's scientifi c
Co
C n
o v
n e
v nt
en ion
tion
fi sh. A report published on the 15th June by the
community met on 22 June, in
European Science Foundation Marine Board also
Al
A meria, Spain
lmeria, Spain
order to respond to the European
indicates climate change as the reason for such marine
Commission's ongoing consultation
species migration.
on a future European maritime policy.

The invasion of the non-indigenous species has

In advance of the conference,
resulted in the dislocation of other species. The Marine
called EurOcean 2007, the EU executive presented
Board described the eastern Mediterranean's ecosystem
fi gures showing that 612 million of funding was
as particularly vulnerable and warns that the eff ects
allocated to marine-related research activities under the
of climate change on marine biodiversity could be
2002-2006 EU Research Framework Programme.
irreparable.

These funds were allocated to around 250 diff erent

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