The European Commission gave the green light on Thursday 3 November to an investment package of €222.7 million from the EU budget in 144 innovative projects for the protection of the environment, nature, resources and the climate that will support the transition to a low-carbon, circular economy.
All the projects, which are worth a total of €398.6 million, are eligible for EU co-financing under the LIFE programme, the financial instrument for the environment and climate action. They were selected from among the proposals from public and private bodies in the member states that were submitted to the European Commission in response to a call for offers.
Environment and rational resource use. The 56 projects will mobilise €142.2 million, with the EU providing €71.9 million. These projects cover action in five thematic areas: air, environment and health, resource efficiency, waste and water. The 21 resource efficiency projects alone will mobilise €43 million that will facilitate Europe’s transition to a more circular economy.
Nature and biodiversity. The 39 projects support the implementation of the birds (79/409/EEC) and habitats (92/43/EEC) directives and the EU biodiversity strategy to 2020. The EU will contribute €95.6 million to the total budget of €158.1 million.
Environmental governance and information. The 15 projects selected will raise awareness on environmental matters. They have a total budget of €23.2 million, €13.8 million of which will be contributed by the EU.
Climate change adaptation. The 16 LIFE projects will receive co-financing of €19.4 million (total value €32.9 million). They cover five thematic areas: agriculture, forestry, tourism; adaptation in mountain/island areas; urban adaptation/planning; vulnerability assessments and adaptation strategies; and water.
Climate change mitigation (reducing greenhouse gas emissions). The 12 projects, which have a total budget of €35.3 million, the EU contributing €18 million) are best practice, pilot and demonstration projects in three thematic areas: energy; industry; and land use, forestry, agriculture.
Climate governance and information. Six projects with a total budget of €6.9 million, co-financed by the EU to the tune of €4.1 million will improve governance and raise public awareness of climate change.
The projects will be implemented in 23 member states (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and United Kingdom). The budget for the LIFE Programme for 2014-2020 is €3.4 billion, with over €850 million going to climate action. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)