Brussels, 04/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 3 July, the European Commission approved funding of €281.4 for 248 new conservation and environmental projects that are eligible for EU joint-funding under the LIFE + programme.
These projects represent a total investment of some €556.4 million and were selected from the 1,159 applications submitted to the Commission in response to its latest call for proposals, which closed in September 2012. They cover three areas of LIFE+, the European Union's financial instrument for the environment, which has a total budget of €2,143 billion for the period 2007-2013. There are more projects this year that seek to tackle climate change.
Nature and biodiversity. Out of the 258 proposals, 92 projects were selected for funding from partnerships in 24 member states. They represent a total investment of €247.4 million, some €139.3 million of which will be provided by the EU. 82 are Nature projects, contributing to the implementation of the Birds (79/409/EEC) and/or Habitats directives (92/43/EEC) and the Natura 2000 network. The other 10 are pilot schemes that tackle wider biodiversity issues (the LIFE+ biodiversity projects).
LIFE+ Environment Policy & Governance projects. Of the 743 proposals received, 146 projects were selected. The successful projects in 18 member states focus on water, waste and natural resources, chemicals, the urban environment, soil and air quality. They represent a total investment of € 298.5 million, with the EU providing some €136.8 million.
Under this component, €34.6 million will be allocated to 29 projects directly tackling climate change, with a total budget of €81.1 million.
LIFE+ Information and Communication projects. Of the 158 proposals, 10 projects were selected from a range of public and private sector nature and/or environment organisations. The projects are based in nine member states and represent a total investment of €10.5 million, of which the EU will provide some €5.2 million. Four of the 10 projects are concerned with raising awareness about nature and biodiversity matters, and six are focused on other environmental matters, such as climate change, resource efficiency and coastal pollution prevention.
Based on an informal agreement reached on 27 June on the next funding period for the LIFE+ programme 2014-2020 (see EUROPE 10876), the new programme will mobilise over €850 million dedicated to climate action. This will roughly triple the amount which is spent on climate action. (AN/transl.fl)