Climate change support and performance targets for ESI funds

KEY POINTS

This implementing regulation, as referred to in Article 8 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, sets out conditions for each of the ESI funds to apply the calculation methodology, based on the categories of intervention, focus areas or measures.

The 5 ESI funds are:

• the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF);
• the European Social Fund (ESF);
• the Cohesion Fund;
• the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD);
• the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).

For each ESI fund, the regulation gives a specific weighting reflecting the extent to which EU financial support contributes to climate change mitigation and adaptation goals. Where the contribution is insignificant, a weighting of zero is given. These weightings are used to harmonise the tracking of the support contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation goals across different EU policies, and reflect the differences in the contributions from each of the ESI funds.

Calculations of financial support for climate change objectives for the various ESI funds are prioritised using weightings, as in the following examples.

ERDF, ESF and the Cohesion Fund

• Productive investment: investment in large enterprises linked to the low-carbon economy is weighted at 40%.
• Infrastructure providing basic services:
  • renewable energy and energy efficiency measures are weighted at 100%;
  • railways, clean urban transport and seaports are weighted at 40%;
  • development of roads and airports is weighted at 0%.
• Development of existing potential: energy efficiency and low carbon economy projects, including the development of cycle tracks and footpaths, are rated at 100%.

EAFRD

• Restoring, preserving and enhancing ecosystems, promoting resource efficiency and supporting the shift towards a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy in the agriculture, food and forestry sectors are given 100% weightings when calculating ESIF support.
• Projects aimed at farm risk prevention and management, and fostering local development in rural areas are given 40% weightings.

EMFF

100% weightings are given to projects with the following goals:

• climate change mitigation;
  • on-board investments;
  • energy efficiency audits and schemes;
• engine replacement or modernisation;
• permanently ceasing fishing activities.

Projects which are given a 40% weighting:

• temporarily ceasing fishing activities;
• mutual funds for adverse climatic events and environmental incidents;
• fishing opportunities allocation systems;
• adapting fishing to the protection of species;
• protecting and restoring marine biodiversity;
• alternative propulsion and hull design;
• protecting and developing inland aquatic fauna and flora;
• increasing aquaculture potential;
• promoting the protection of marine environment, and the sustainable use of marine and coastal resources;
• investments improving fishing ports and auction halls infrastructure or landing sites and shelters.

Milestones and targets

The milestones or targets of a priority shall be deemed to be achieved if the related indicators have reached:

• at least 85% of the milestone value by the end of 2018; or
• at least 85% of the target value by the end of 2023.