6 FINDINGS: HORIZONTAL THEMES
The consultation sets out proposals for how two cross-cutting themes should be implemented across both Programmes. Question 9 asks with respect to the theme of environmental sustainability and Question 10 on equal opportunities.
Q9. What are your views on how the principle of environmental sustainability has been integrated into the Operational Programmes?
The response to the question was overwhelmingly positive. Forty-nine welcomed the approach to environmental sustainability in the Operational Programmes or thought it was well integrated as a horizontal theme. Ten felt that the focus on environmental sustainability was welcome but should be wider, more explicit, strengthened or built upon. Only two felt that it was unclear how environmental sustainability would be implemented or that they would need more information from the SEA before commenting more fully.
A number of specific comments were made in relation to environmental sustainability. These are summarised below:
A number of respondents highlighted the difference between environmental sustainability and sustainable development with eight respondents strongly urging that the focus be on sustainable development. They emphasised that environmental sustainability should not be separated from social and economic concerns as integrated sustainable development is the only way to ensure the global environment can be maintained. One respondent even suggested that community and economic sustainability should take priority. However, one respondent emphasised that 'environment limits' should be the paramount consideration in the sustainable development theme and not be traded off with social and economic considerations.
Seven respondents emphasised that the principle of environmental sustainability should not just apply to rural areas but to the whole programme area. Others (2) supported this and felt that there should be spatial targeting of areas where there will be the greatest impact on environmental sustainability (in particular, areas where the bulk of the people who impact on the environment live).
Five respondents commented on the recent publication of the Stern Report on the Economics of Climate Change and suggested that the programmes be updated to take account of the findings in this report. Overall, three respondents felt that there was an over emphasis on the Lisbon Agenda to the detriment of the Gothenburg Agenda and suggested that there should be more focus on the latter.
Thirteen respondents from the South of Scotland welcomed the integration of environmental sustainability as a horizontal theme and stressed the importance of this to the implementation of the South of Scotland Competitiveness Strategy which they said has a strong focus on environmental issues. South of Scotland respondents also highlighted the importance of using natural resources for the economic benefit of the region.
Eight respondents commented on the considerable experience in environmental sustainability developed under the 2000-2006 programmes and the importance of ensuring that this is used and developed further in the 2007-2013 programmes. Three others supported the continued use of an environmental sustainability champions, perhaps within the Intermediate Administration Bodies. It was also suggested by one respondent that role models from the business community should be brought in to demonstrate the benefits of environmental efficiency measures.
Six respondents highlighted the importance of giving appropriate weight to environmental sustainability in the project selection process.
One respondent suggested that project sponsors, including Intermediate Delivery Bodies, must be able to demonstrate how environmental sustainability has been integrated into projects. Another thought that the role of the Intermediate Administration Bodies should include specific monitoring at programme level including specific advice and support at project development stage. Two others thought the IABs and IDBs should also be responsible for awareness-raising.
Three respondents supported the recommendations in the SEA environmental reports that a comprehensive monitoring system should be set up.
One respondent considered that the ERDF programme should pro-actively support the conservation of biodiversity. A commitment to cultural heritage was requested by one respondent.
Executive response
The Executive is pleased that its commitment to sustainable development is shared among stakeholders. It continues to believe that this is an essential element of the new Programmes. Building on the legacy of past programmes, and within a sustainable development framework, environmental sustainability needs to be pursued in tandem with the Programme's fundamental, Lisbon-determined goal of economic development.
In revising the Operational Programmes, their environmental aspirations will be made more clear, but in the context of a sustainable development approach to promoting economic growth. It is not a question of pursuing one or the other principle, but how sustainable development in all its aspects can be pursued through the Programmes. In light of this, no further specific commitments to other issues suggested - such as biodiversity - are felt to be needed, beyond the existing Programme commitment to ensure Structural Funds promote conservation within their economic development remit wherever appropriate.
To make clear this commitment to sustainable development, a third cross-cutting theme has been introduced for all programmes: social inclusion.
As already noted, the SEA consultation process has set out a series of recommendations on how to improve the operation of the horizontal themes. These include the use of environmental champions, project election criteria, incentives to projects to measure their environmental impacts, the monitoring and indicators system, requirements to exceed statutory obligations where appropriate and awareness-raising measures. These will be set out separately in the Executive response to the SEA consultation.
Additional references to the Stern Report and the Gothenburg Agenda will be made.
Q10. What are your views on how the principle of equal opportunities has been integrated into the Operational Programmes?
As with environmental sustainability, there was a very positive response to the question on equal opportunities. Fifty-two welcomed the approach to equal opportunities in the Operational Programmes or thought it was well integrated as a horizontal theme. Only five felt that it was unclear how equal opportunities would be implemented or that they needed more information before commenting, in one case referring to the forthcoming Equal Opportunities Impact Assessment being developed by the Scottish Executive.
A number of specific comments were made in relation to equal opportunities. These are summarised below:
Four felt that the programmes still placed too heavy an emphasis on gender equality and wanted more consideration of considering race and disability issues in line with recent legislation and public sector guidance. Specifically, it was also suggested by one respondent that ERDF Priority 2 should take account of access issues for disabled people when providing funding for refurbishment of learning and training centres. It was suggested by four respondents that corporate social responsibility also be integrated as a horizontal theme, requiring businesses, in particular, to provide employment to the socially excluded.
A number of respondents (7) emphasised the importance of the new programmes building upon the experience and expertise of the 2000-2006 programmes. In particular, the importance of integrating equal opportunities into the application, evaluation and monitoring processes was highlighted by four respondents who emphasised that appropriate weighting should be given to the issue in the selection process. Two respondents also emphasised the need to continue the role of an equal opportunities champion to monitor progress in implementing equal opportunities into the programme. Clear guidance and support would need to be available to ensure that organisations are aware of their responsibilities with regard to equal opportunities legislation, including the recent Age Discrimination legislation, and the impact this may have on project impact and delivery.
Executive response
The Executive welcomes the strong support for equal opportunities as a theme of continuing importance to Structural Funds. The emphasis in the EU regulations is on gender equality, and the Operational Programmes are required to demonstrate this. However, this has been extended to include the other elements of equal opportunities in Scottish policy and in the guidance and systems set up for project appraisal and selection, will ensure that these are streamlined into the delivery of EU funding. In light of this, it would not be appropriate to extend the commitment to equal opportunities as set out here to include other issues. However, the addition of a third cross-cutting theme - social inclusion - should address some of the concerns raised.