Notification of Environmental Relief Aid

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Notification of Environmental Relief Aid

• a case study the notification of the
  Environmental
• Relief Programme of Berlin (ERP II)
• by Knut Büsching
• BERLIN SENATE DEPARTMENT FOR ECONOMICS,
• TECHNOLOGY AND WOMENS ISSUES

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The Environmental Relief Programme (ERP II)
EPR I
EPR II

• from 2000 to 2007
• targeting environmental RD projects
• subsidies for investment
• large enterprises and SMEs
• notified in 2000
• approved by the Commission

• from 2008 to 2013
• targeting global warming assessment
• 7 different measure types
• beneficiaries depending from measure
• notified in December 2007
• Commissions approval in July 2008

SUCCESSOR PROGRAMME
EXPIRED IN 2007
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the seven measure types of the ERP II
Redevelopment and decrease of environmental
risks (e.g. surveillance and abolishing soil and
groundwater contamination)
Type 1
public institutions
Industrial and experimental RD concerning
ecology (e.g. innovative climate protection and
greenhouse emission reduction)
Type 2
public private research entities
Analysis of consequences of the climate change
for Berlin (e.g. non-commercial scientific
assessments)
Type 3
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Type 4
Fight against climate change
SMEs
Type 4.1
Use of renewable energies
Type 4.2
Improving energy efficiency
entitled to apply
Type 5
Use of environmental management systems
Type 6
Reducing traffic-related emissions
Use of traffic-control systems
Type 6.1
Noise and air pollution reduction
Type 6.2
public institutions
Type 7
Landscape protection areas and nature reserves
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The notification procedure of ERP II

• early adaptation of forthcoming Environmental
  Guidelines

changes of the new Guidelines (2008)

• scope of application
• maximum aid intensity
• tax reduction recommendations
• types of assessment (standard / detailed)
• notification-exemptions (GenBER)

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Notification of Type 4
Type 4
climate change
NOTIFICATION NEEDED?
4.1
Energy efficiency

• transferred State resources
• economic advantage
• (threat of) competition distortion
• inter-Member-State trade affected

?

• subsidies for e.g.redevelopment of buildings
• granted to SMEs

?
?
?
NOTIFICATION NEEDED!
4.2
Renewable energies

• subsidies only for additional costs
• projects must exceed standards
• energy sources as in Guidelines

• investment-subsidies for regenerative energy
  sources
• granted to SMEs

REQUIREMENTS FULFULLED!
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No notification of Types 1, 3 and 7
NOTIFICATION NEEDED?
Type 1
Redevelopment avoiding environment risk

• transf. State resources
• economic advantage?

?
?

• only non-profit projects funded

• non-profit projects improve conditions for entire
  population
• fields of activity do not trigger
  market-competition
• no economic advantage!

Type 3
Climate change analysis

• only non-profit projects funded

Type 7
Landscape protection areas natural reserves

• only non-profit projects funded

NOTIFICATION NOT NEEDED!
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No notification of Types 5 and 6.1
NOTIFICATION NEEDED?
Type 5
Use of environmental management systems

• subsidies maximum 50.000
• no cumulation allowed
• no grant to large enterprises
• GenBER

• subsidies e.g. for consulting
• no cumulation with other subsidies

Type 6
reducing traffic emissions
6.1
Use of traffic-control systems
NOTIFICATION NOT NEEDED!

• subsidies e.g. for consulting
• no cumulation with other subsidies

SUMMARY INFORMATION given to the Commission
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No notification of Type 6.2
NOTIFICATION NEEDED?
6.2
Noise and air pollution reduction

• maximum aid depending on German regional aid map
• no cumulation allowed
• Regional Aid Guidelines

• subsidies for investment expenses
• subsidies for planning- and engineering services

NOTIFICATION NOT NEEDED!
SUMMARY INFORMATION given to the Commission
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No notification of Type 2
NOTIFICATION NEEDED?
Type 2
Industrial and experimental RD concerning
ecology

• transf. State resources
• economic advantage?

?
?

• subsidies granted to public and private research
  entities
• aim enhancing knowledge and comprehension
• limited to non-profit RD

• only non-profit activities
• fields of activity do not trigger
  market-competition
• no economic advantage!

NOTIFICATION NOT NEEDED!
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Conclusion

• The new Environmental Protection Guidelines
  offer effective tools to promote sustainable
  environment
• The new General Block Exemption Regulation
  interacts well with these Guidelines
• Fight against climate change is serious political
  aim
• Notification exemptions reflect this aim
• Domestic and regional SMEs and RD can benefit

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Thank you! Hvala na pozorností! Vielen Dank!