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Climate change, environment and state aid

In focus
Event
28 January 2025

Climate Proofing for infrastructure projects in 2021-2027 in Poland

**SEO Description:** on 28 January 2025, JASPERS, in collaboration with the Polish Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy and the Ministry of Climate and Environment, organised a webinar focused on climate proofing of infrastructure projects for beneficiaries of EU funding in Poland This webinar was an introductory event on the topic of climate proofing and will be followed by further capacity building activities.

Publication
23 January 2025
JASPERS Team

EIB Advisory JASPERS Excel tool for climate resilience assessment of small urban regeneration projects

The EIB Advisory JASPERS has developed an Excel tool with the aim to support beneficiaries of small water & wastewater projects to complete a climate resilience assessment that is proportionate to the size of the projects. The Excel tool has been designed for the climate resilience assessment of small projects that need to comply with the climate proofing requirement of the Common Provisions Regulation Art. 73 point 2 (j).

Publication
23 January 2025
JASPERS Team

EIB Advisory JASPERS Excel tool for climate resilience assessment of small building projects

Our experts have developed an Excel tool to help beneficiaries of small building projects complete a climate resilience assessment tailored to the project's size. This tool aligns with the climate proofing requirements specified in the Common Provisions Regulation, Article 73, point 2 (j). The tool offers a simplified qualitative assessment of potential climate threats to the project, with the analysis and effort scaled to the size of small projects. It employs an indicator-based approach to identify potential climate hazards and risks. Although this method is simple and subjective, it is grounded in empirical evidence, making it accessible to non-experts. However, it does not provide the detailed analysis of a quantitative risk assessment, which uses probabilistic metrics to evaluate potential losses on exposed elements. This tool is specifically designed for small building projects and should not be used for larger projects. The definition of small-scale building projects varies by country and should be determined by the National Managing Authorities. The Excel tool includes a recommendation from JASPERS on what constitutes a small-scale project for this type of infrastructure. Please read the disclaimer in the PDF file or the first tab of the Excel tool. Reporting Bugs: If you encounter any bugs in the tool, please report them to jaspersnetwork@eib.org with "Excel tools bug reporting" as the subject.

Focus areas

Climate change considerations are crucial for infrastructure projects because they ensure long-term sustainability and resilience. As the impacts of climate change become more pronounced, infrastructure must be designed to withstand extreme weather events and changing environmental conditions.

Our assistance on climate aspects is deeply aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement, which aims to fight climate change and help countries adapt to its impacts.

By integrating climate considerations into our project advice, we contribute to the EU’s ambition of achieving climate neutrality and ensure that infrastructure is climate resilient.

Our support involves:

  • Developing national climate-proofing guidance: We tailor guidance to the specific needs and priorities of each country, ensuring that national infrastructure projects are designed with climate resilience in mind.
  • Capacity building programs and knowledge sharing initiatives, that empower stakeholders to make informed decisions and take climate action towards a more sustainable future.
  • Supporting the implementation of climate-proofing requirements: In accordance with the Common Provisions Regulation (CPR), we assist in the implementation of climate-proofing requirements, guaranteeing that EU-funded infrastructure can endure the challenges posed by climate change.
  • Applying the DNSH Principle: We aid EU countries in applying the ‘Do No Significant Harm’ (DNSH) principle to EU-funded investments, providing guidance on its incorporation into project guidelines and calls.

We support the environmental aspects of projects through a range of activities.

We tailor our guidance according to specific sectors. We draw on existing legislation, best practices, and knowledge across the EU to provide practical advice. This exchange of experience helps enhancing the quality of projects.

We review projects to ensure compliance with the Water Framework Directive (WFD) which aims to achieve good ecological and chemical status for European water bodies. Considerations include water quality, quantity, and ecosystem health.

Our environmental experts review the Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) reports that are submitted by the project beneficiaries. These evaluations analyse the potential environmental impacts of projects, considering factors like air quality, water resources, biodiversity, and land use. The goal is to ensure that projects minimize negative environmental effects and promote sustainable development.

We provide guidance on applying relevant EU Directives, including case law from the Court of Justice of the EU and Commission guidelines. This ensures that the projects adhere to the legal requirements related to environmental protection.

In addition, we also evaluate whether projects comply with the requirements of the EU Habitats Directive. This involves assessing potential impacts on protected habitats and species. If a project is expected to have significant effects on a Natura 2000 site, additional measures or alternatives may be recommended.

Through capacity-building activities, we enhance the environmental skills and knowledge of project planners, authorities, and stakeholders. This includes organising training sessions, workshops, and authoring specialized documents to support their development.

State aid within the European Union refers to any form of financial assistance or support granted by a State authority that has the potential to create unfair advantages and distort competition and trade in the internal market. Hence, the Treaty generally forbids the provision of State aid unless it is justified for the purpose of promoting overall economic development. To guarantee compliance and ensure that any exceptions are applied uniformly throughout the European Union, the European Commission verifies that State aid adheres to EU regulations.

Our experts in State aid ensure that EU Member States can effectively navigate State aid issues, facilitating the successful preparation and implementation of projects. JASPERS offers advice and guidance in implementing State aid rules in projects, ensuring that projects are designed and implemented in compliance with these regulations and preventing any legal complications that could arise from non-compliance.

They also conduct thorough assessments of the projects. They evaluate the project’s eligibility for State aid and identify potential issues that could hinder the approval of the aid. By suggesting solutions to these issues, they help to streamline the project’s progress.

Lastly, we offer training sessions and workshops to project teams. These sessions enhance the understanding of State aid rules among the team members, equipping them with the knowledge they need to apply State aid principles effectively.