EU proposes €5.45bn LIFE budget
The EC is looking to increase funding under its LIFE environment and climate action programme to €5.45bn.
The proposed budget for the period 2021-2027, represents an increase of almost 60% on the current budget.
Launched in 1992, the LIFE Programme is one of the spearheads of EU environmental and climate funding. It has financed over 4,500 projects, contributing €5.9bn to environment protection and climate action. The present LIFE programme started in 2014 and runs until 2020, with a budget of €3.5bn.
One of the main features of the new LIFE programme is an increased focus on clean energy with an aim to stimulate investment and support activities focused on energy efficiency, especially in European regions lagging behind in the transition towards clean energy.
“With more funding, we can strengthen our LIFE programme to ensure that it can effectively contribute to protecting our environment and speeding up the transition to a clean, energy-efficient, low-carbon and climate-resilient economy – a priority of the Juncker Commission,” said environment commissioner Karmenu Vella.
“A stronger LIFE programme will play an important role in expanding investments in climate action and clean energy across Europe,” stated climate action and energy commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete. “By continuing to support climate change mitigation and adaptation, LIFE will also continue to help the EU deliver on its climate goals and commitments under the Paris Agreement and the United Nations sustainable development goals.”