News
2016-05-23
Award Natura 2000 for the LIFE Elia-RTE project !
The LIFE Elia-RTE project just won the Natura 2000 Award in the "Reconciliation of interests/perceptions" category !
This award was attributed this May 23rd 2016 by DG Environment of the European Commission, in the framework of the European network for biodiversity Natura 2000.
This award goes to all partners!
This award honours all LIFE Elia-RTE partners : Elia (Electricity Transmission System Operator in Belgium), RTE (Electricity Transmission System Operator in France), the Walloon Region, LIFE team and all our partners on site : forest owners, administrations, nature parks, farmers, hunters, nature conservation associations...
This award underlines the commitment of large companies in the conservation and restoration of biodiversity...once again showing that it is possible to reconcile nature conservation, economic activity and local actors within the Natura 2000 sites.
A European contest !
A total of 85 applications were submitted in this contest ! 24 finalists were selected from 5 different categories. In the category "Reconciling interests/perceptions", the LIFE Elia-RTE project was among the last 5 finalists.
It is a real recognition for the project and for the LIFE programme !
3 strengths of the LIFE Elia-RTE project
The jury highlighted three strengths in the LIFE Elia-RTE application :
1. win-win partnerships with local partners. Everyone wins: the Electricity Transmission System Operator, biodiversity and local stakeholders according to their interests.
2. the concept of ecological and electrical network. Electrical corridors under the power lines can improve ecological connectivity between natural sites. The grid can therefore greatly enhance the Natura 2000 network in terms of connectivity for species and natural habitats.
3. replicability of the actions. The LIFE project implements 7 different actions which ensure electrical safety while promoting biodiversity. These actions can be implemented in all Member States by adapting them to the local natural environment. One of the LIFE project tasks is to communicate the techniques developed to the Managers of electricity Transmission System Operators throughout Europe.
The Natura 2000 network in Europe and the LIFE program
Given its large geographic area, the project LIFE Elia-RTE crosses total of 31 Natura 2000 sites in Belgium and 4 sites in France.
To halt the erosion of biodiversity, two European directives were adopted by the European Commission. They are the basis of the Natura 2000 network. They encompasses a list of species (birds, insects, mammals ...) and natural habitats (forest types, types of grasslands, wetlands ...) that needs to be protected. Each Member State is therefore responsible to implemt the network.
In total, approximately 27,000 Natura 2000 sites have been designated in Europe, covering a total area of 1.1 million ha of terrestrial and marine areas ... or 36 times the size of Belgium!
Press and Media
The Awards ceremony broadcast (for the LIFE project, from 27:10)
Everything about the Natura 2000 Award
Special TV documentary on the LIFE project on RTBF news (Belgian national channel)
Everything about Natura 2000
In the press on RTBF, FR Jour,
Everything about the LIFE Elia-RTE project
All about Elia
All about RTE
All about the Walloon Region