20/12/2018 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday 20 December, the European Environment Ministers succeeded in reaching a general orientation of the Council on the priorities of the LIFE Environment/Climate Action Programme for the 2021-2027 period. In particular, they stressed that they attach great importance to nature and protecting biodiversity - which is why they would like 60% of the resources dedicated to the environment in this financial instrument to be dedicated to projects concerning nature (implementation of the 'Habitats' and 'Birds' directives) and biodiversity protection. They also want the EU co-financing rate for such projects to be increased to 75% of their total cost (instead of 60%) if they help protect particularly threatened species and habitats. (AN)