Brussels, 12/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - €3.2 billion is the amount the Commission proposes to allocate to LIFE, the only environment financial instrument, for 2014-2020 (see EUROPE No 10512).
The funding proposal for this new programme for the environment and climate action was adopted by the College of Commissioners on Monday 12 December, the day after the last-gasp UN climate agreement in Durban, South Africa (COP 17). From this significantly increased budget, the Commission proposes to allocate €800 million to fund climate projects, tripling the resources spent in this area. To increase the impact, the reformed programme will have simpler and more flexible eligibility procedures. It will act as a catalyst and manager for the inclusion of environmental and climate concerns in all relevant sectoral policies, as the EUROPE 2020 strategy wishes. Grants to finance projects will remain the programme's main type of involvement. Operating grants for NGOs and other bodies will still be possible, and there will also be scope for contributions to innovative financial instruments.
“The LIFE Programme is key to designing better environmental policy. It is available to support all those people and organisations who are working to make sure that legislation results in better outcomes for the environment in Europe. We are reforming the programme to deliver greater impact by mobilising support in an integrated way from other funding sources”, said Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik. Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard added: “The Commission proposes to triple the funds for climate in the new programme. This will allow us to increase support to regional low-carbon and climate-resilience strategies and small-scale climate projects by SMEs, NGOs and local authorities. Through LIFE, we can also leverage other European and national funds for climate action”.
The main innovations in the new LIFE programme include a clearer definition of priorities, with multi-annual work programmes adopted in consultation with the member states; and new possibilities for implementing programmes on a larger scale through “integrated projects” which can help mobilise other EU, national and private funds for environmental or climate objectives. The LIFE Environment sub-programme will provide co-funding of projects in three priority areas: environment and resource efficiency, biodiversity and environmental governance and information. LIFE Climate Action will co-fund projects on climate change mitigation, adaptation and climate governance and information. (AN/transl.rt)