SWITZERLAND: An Island in Europe?

SWITZERLAND: An Island in Europe? Dr. Dominique DARMENDRAIL

Common Forum on contaminated land in Europe ICCL International committee on Contaminated Land Networks of contaminated land regulation & policy experts and advisors (since 1993-1994) Mission: Being a platform for exchange of knowledge and experiences, for initiating and following-up of international projects among members, Establishing a discussion platform on policy, research, technical and managerial concepts of contaminated land

Situation in European Member States European Country Austria Potentially contaminated sites 58,000 identified 80,000 - estimated Contaminated sites 2,500 identified 10,000 - estimated References Kasamas, Common Forum 2010 Belgium / Flanders France 245,000 identified (past) 300,000 - estimated (past) 548,000 identified (operating) 30,660 - identified Van Dyck, 2011 4,596 - identified BASIAS & BASOL databases, 2011 The Netherlands United Kingdom / England & Wales 1,700,000 - estimated 2,500 identified 56,000 - estimated Harmsma, 2010 325,000 - estimated 33,500 - estimated England & Wales Environment Agency 2005

Evolution of contaminated land policies at national level First generation: the early days 1980 Drastic risk control, focus on soil contamination systematic approaches (protocols, national inventories) Second generation: contaminated land risk assessment 1990 Possibilities for tailor-made approaches with cost effective investigations Landuse becomes very important in assessment and decision making Third generation: Risk Based Land Management and solution design 2000 Integration with spatial planning, water management, socio-economy Economic development vs. protection of Environment & HH 4

Contaminated Land Management (1/2) Several dimensions / a single framework with legal, technical, financial, organisational tools Preventing new pollution Impact Assessment of new projects Operating industrial sites: Preventing Accident / special infrastructures, warning systems, monitoring Reducing emissions / Use of BATNEEC (processing, filtering) Polluter pays principle Act as soon as emission.

Contaminated Land Management (2/2) Several dimensions / a single framework with legal, technical, financial, organisational tools Legacy pollution: Risk based approach from RBLM to sustainable land management Use a tiered approach using cost-benefits approach Combining and balancing the three pillars of sustainable remediation

Regulatory environment at European level NATURA 2000/ HABITATS s Guidelines For State-aid Water Framework Ground Water Soil Framework REACH? Waste Framework Renewable Energies Environmental Liability Contaminated Sites Roadmap on Resources Efficiency INSPIRE Landfill Strategy Urban Environments IPPC / IED s Structural Funds Strategy on waste prevention and recycling

Sustainability in Land Management (1/2) Environment protection No problem shifting: Protecting Environment and Health against risks on the long term Reducing Emissions and footprints in land remediation and management (water, energy, soil & land, ) Social (to be continued) Fostering local employment opportunities in communities where sites are reclaimed and reused. 8

Sustainability in Land Management (2/2) Social (cont.) Integrating reuse in land development needs Ethics & Equity Economics Decrease Direct costs & Increase benefits Rising property values Project lifespan & flexibility 9

Concluding remarks Different pieces of EU legislation, Recognise the efforts already done Existing Common Ground for managing CS Need of real integration for more sustainability Better common understanding/ building consensus 1 st step: Joint Statement with NICOLE (European industry network) Needs for more discussions on wider issues: Financial issues (Polluter Pays Principle Limits, use of Private Public Partnerships) Liability transfer or share? 10

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