The 2020 LIFE winners were unveiled on Thursday 22 October at a virtual ceremony during the European Green Week dedicated to biodiversity (see EUROPE 12584/5).
The LIFE Awards recognise the most innovative, effective and inspirational projects for the protection of the environment and the climate.
The LIFE Awards Naturewent to LIFE DINALP BEAR (Slovenia) for managing and monitoring brown bear populations in the northern Dinarids and south-eastern Alps, resulting in a 43% reduction in sheep attacks.
The LIFE Award for the Environmentwent to Flaw4Life (Portugal) for the creation of an alternative market for fruit and vegetables that are too ‘ugly’ to be sold in the usual outlets.
LIFE Award for Climate Action went to Firelife (Hungary) for the strengthening of forest fire prevention throughout the country.
A special Adapting to COVID-19 Award was presented to the ItalianPrepAIR project for air quality monitoring and improvement.
“The LIFE Awards show that solutions to the planetary challenges of biodiversity loss, climate change, resource scarcity, and even health emergencies exist”, said Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius.
The President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, a doctoral student at Imperial College London, Luciana Miu, and EIB Vice-President, Ambroise Fayolle, were members of the jury. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)