Citizens' Dialogue with Humberto Delgado Rosa, Director for Natural Capital, DG Environment, European Commission Friday 26 April 2019, 20:00 - 23:00 (+00)Velas, Portugal Media azores2.jpgazores2.jpgazores1.jpgazores1.jpgazores3.jpgazores3.jpgazores_main.jpgazores_main.jpgClose Speakers Practical information WhenFriday 26 April 2019, 20:00 - 23:00 (+00)WhereVelas (São Jorge island, Azores) Velas (São Jorge island, Azores), Secondary School of Velas, Velas, Portugal Report On 26 April 2019, the secondary school of Velas, island of S. Jorge, Azores archipelago, Portugal, hosted a Citizens’ Dialogue on “The role of EU environment and biodiversity policy”.Humberto Delgado Rosa, Director for Natural Capital, represented DG Environment of the European Commission. Although held in a school, the event took place in the evening and did not target students.The audience was relatively scarce (30 to 40 people), but included several players from the local and regional authorities (e.g. the mayor of Velas, members of the regional parliament, regional civil servants, members of the boards of local organisations).The event was organised by the Regional Government of the Azores. Rui Bettencourt, the Regional Secretary for External Relations, made the opening referring to the special importance of the environment for the Azores, and of the upcoming European elections.The first intervention was by Emanuel Verissimo, the Regional Nature Director, with a detailed presentation on the regional policy for nature conservation, and in particular on the role of the LIFE programme for the management of the Natura 2000 network.The EC representative made an intervention on the need for a transition towards sustainability in the EU and worldwide, and framed the role and importance of climate and environmental policy for such.The debate that followed was moderated by Frederico Cardigos, the head of the Azorean Representation in Brussels, and brought on stage the Regional Secretary, the Regional Director and the EC representative.There was a diversity of questions from the moderator and the audience, addressing the following issues: the role of the EU (and of China) for environmental sustainability; prospects of the future Common Agriculture Policy for environmental policy; LIFE projects in the Azores; prospects of marine aquaculture in the EU Outermost Regions; the impact of climate change; inequality versus environmental taxation.Quotes/questions from the audience:- “how can we be sure that the new CAP will really deliver for financing Natura 2000?”- “marine aquaculture in the open ocean may damage fish stocks through the unintended release of alien species”- “environmental taxation is needed but people may be against it, as we’ve seen in France with the ‘gilets jaunes’ “- “how can we influence LIFE so as to increase prospects for financing our regional projects?”- “what if climate change may bring forest fires to the Azores as happens in the Portuguese mainland?”
On 26 April 2019, the secondary school of Velas, island of S. Jorge, Azores archipelago, Portugal, hosted a Citizens’ Dialogue on “The role of EU environment and biodiversity policy”.Humberto Delgado Rosa, Director for Natural Capital, represented DG Environment of the European Commission. Although held in a school, the event took place in the evening and did not target students.The audience was relatively scarce (30 to 40 people), but included several players from the local and regional authorities (e.g. the mayor of Velas, members of the regional parliament, regional civil servants, members of the boards of local organisations).The event was organised by the Regional Government of the Azores. Rui Bettencourt, the Regional Secretary for External Relations, made the opening referring to the special importance of the environment for the Azores, and of the upcoming European elections.The first intervention was by Emanuel Verissimo, the Regional Nature Director, with a detailed presentation on the regional policy for nature conservation, and in particular on the role of the LIFE programme for the management of the Natura 2000 network.The EC representative made an intervention on the need for a transition towards sustainability in the EU and worldwide, and framed the role and importance of climate and environmental policy for such.The debate that followed was moderated by Frederico Cardigos, the head of the Azorean Representation in Brussels, and brought on stage the Regional Secretary, the Regional Director and the EC representative.There was a diversity of questions from the moderator and the audience, addressing the following issues: the role of the EU (and of China) for environmental sustainability; prospects of the future Common Agriculture Policy for environmental policy; LIFE projects in the Azores; prospects of marine aquaculture in the EU Outermost Regions; the impact of climate change; inequality versus environmental taxation.Quotes/questions from the audience:- “how can we be sure that the new CAP will really deliver for financing Natura 2000?”- “marine aquaculture in the open ocean may damage fish stocks through the unintended release of alien species”- “environmental taxation is needed but people may be against it, as we’ve seen in France with the ‘gilets jaunes’ “- “how can we influence LIFE so as to increase prospects for financing our regional projects?”- “what if climate change may bring forest fires to the Azores as happens in the Portuguese mainland?”