On Wednesday 17 April, the European Parliament validated the Parliament/EU Council 'common understanding' in respect of the LIFE Environment post-2020, the only financial instrument specifically dedicated to the environment and climate action (578 votes in favour, 39 against, 34 abstentions).
LIFE post-2020 will therefore focus on the protection of European wildlife species and ecosystems and the transit to a sustainable, circular and climate-neutral European economy (see EUROPE 12219/15). Ensuring the projects are of a good standard will remain the key criterion for eligibility for LIFE co-financing and a category of technical assistance projects will be created to support the development of countries' abilities.
“The LIFE Programme is one of our most successful EU instruments. Refining it and making it more quality driven was a priority”, commented Dutch rapporteur, Gerben Jan Gerbrandy (ALDE).
A final agreement will only be possible once the financial envelope of the programme, which depends on negotiations over the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, is known.
On behalf of the Commission, Commissioner Bieńkowska believes that this agreement "comes at the right time, at a time when young people are demonstrating against climate change”. She pointed out that the Commission had, however, submitted a statement deploring keeping the LIFE logo (contrary to the horizontal approach, in her view), the lack of justification for the review clause and to specify that the open duration of the programme would not prevent her from proposing a programme for the 2021-2027 period. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)