1. Water Framework Directive meets Common Agricultural Policy – Background paper online
2. Legal Implementation of User Charges for Global Environmental Assets – Summary online
3. European Workshop on Water Framework Directive and Hydromorphology – Presentations online
4. IPPC-Information Day Baden-Württemberg – Event announcement  
5. Monitoring methods in the frame of Water Framework Directive implementation - Event announcement
6. How to improve integrative planning and land use instruments in cultural landscapes - Lecture

1. Water Framework Directive meets Common Agricultural Policy – Background paper online
The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the Water Framework Directive (WFD) are two of the most influential European policies in the area of environmental issues. Within this sixth Framework Programme (FP6) project, Ecologic and the Warsaw Agricultural University (WAU) are analysing the legal and organisational interlinkages between both policies in order to elaborate future synergies while implementing, planning, financing and controlling the various requirements of the WFD and the CAP. For this purpose, several background notes and policy briefs are being developed and will be presented at the stakeholders and policy makers conference "WFD meets CAP - Opportunities for the future" in Vienna on 2 - 3 March 2006. The first background paper, “WFD and Agriculture – Analysis of the pressures and impacts. Broaden the problem’s scope” has been published and can be downloaded.
Read more ...

2. Legal Implementation of User Charges for Global Environmental Assets – Summary online
International airspace and the high seas are global environmental goods with traditionally unrestricted access. The ensuing environmental impact can be addressed through user charges for air- and sea-traffic. This project assessed the legal conditions for the application of such charges in international, European Community and domestic law. A preliminary summary of the legal survey is now available in the internet. A strategy paper on a air ticket tax is also available for download.
Read more ...

3. European Workshop on Water Framework Directive and Hydromorphology – Presentations online
This European workshop (Prague, 17-19 October 2005) provided a forum to discuss a draft mandate for a new Common Implementation Strategy activity on WFD and hydromorphology. The workshop was highly appreciated by participants for facilitating exchange on both technical issues (hydromorphological risk assessment, heavily modified water bodies, mitigation measures) and policy integration issues with particular focus on navigation, hydropower and flood defence. The workshop presentations are now available on the internet.
Read more ...

4. IPPC-Information Day Baden-Württemberg – Event announcement 
The IPPC Directive introduced a new binding concept for the licensing of industrial installations at the European level. This event, which is organised by Ecologic on behalf of the Ministry of Environment Baden-Württemberg on 29 November 2005 in Stuttgart, aims to provide information on the European legal requirements and to present the necessary steps for the implementation of the Directive. At the same time, the event provides a forum for an exchange of views and experiences for the operators concerned and the authorities in charge in Baden-Württemberg.
Read more ...

5. Monitoring methods in the frame of Water Framework Directive implementation - Event announcement
Ecologic is organising the workshop „Application of new monitoring methods in the frame of Water Framework Directive (WFD) implementation in Germany.“ The workshop, which takes place on 1-2 December 2005  in Braunschweig, is part of the EU-project SWIFT-WFD (Screening methods for water data information in support of the implementation of the Water Framework Directive) The new monitoring methods which have been developed and validated within the SWIFT project (e.g., passive samplers, sensors) will be demonstrated and their use and impact for WFD implementation discussed. Compared to traditional monitoring methods, the new methods provide better information on water quality, return faster results and support the cost-efficient design of monitoring networks.
Read more ...

6. How to improve integrative planning and land use instruments in cultural landscapes - Lecture
Recent reports on Europe’s biological resources prove that the loss of biodiversity has not yet been halted despite efforts in this field. One reason for this is that the instruments used to address conservation issues do not always serve their purpose. A presentation given by Rainer Müssner at the International Association of Landscape Ecologists meeting in Northampton (IALE-UK) therefore dealt with procedural aspects of how to improve landscape planning (LP) and the codes of good farming practice (GFP).
Read more ...