As reported by New Europe, the European Commission has approved an investment package of more than 280 million euros from the EU budget for more than 120 new projects in the LIFE program, generating total investments of almost 590 million euros to help meet the ambitious objectives of these projects in terms of environment, nature and climate action. . This amount represents a 37% increase compared to last year, the Commission said on November 16.
The projects will help achieve the objectives of the European Green Deal by supporting the EU Biodiversity Strategy and the Circular Economy Action Plan, contributing to the green recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic and helping Europe to become a climate neutral continent for 2050, among others. Many of the new projects are transnational projects involving several Member States.
“The European Green Deal is our roadmap towards a green, inclusive and resilient Europe,” said Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice President of the Commission for the European Green Deal. “LIFE projects embody these values as they bring together Member States for the protection of our environment, the restoration of nature and the support of biodiversity. I look forward to the results of these new projects ?, he added.
EU Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevicius said that LIFE projects can really make a tangible difference on the ground. “They provide solutions to some of the most serious challenges of our time, such as climate change, the loss of nature and the unsustainable use of resources. If replicated across the EU at speed and scale, they can help the EU achieve its ambitious goals of the EU Green Deal and help build a greener and more resilient Europe for all of us, but also for generations to come. ? Sinkevicius said.
Approximately € 220 million is allocated to a wide range of projects on environment and resource efficiency, nature and biodiversity, and environmental governance and information, and more than € 60 million to support mitigation, adaptation and governance projects and information on the climate change.
According to the Commission, this includes significant investments to protect and enhance Europe’s biodiversity. Projects such as the restoration of peatlands, unique ecosystems that are home to many highly adapted, rare and threatened species, will contribute to the implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy. Peatlands are also a major carbon sink and can fuel Europe’s momentum towards climate neutrality by 2050.
LIFE projects also support the reduction of energy consumption in new buildings, in line with the recently launched EU Ola Renovation Strategy. The funds will go towards the development of a universal and affordable low-carbon solution that could reduce energy consumption in all new buildings by up to 40%.
The funds will also go to projects that prevent food waste and lead to better waste management in accordance with the new EU Circular Economy Action Plan. Financial resources are also being directed to numerous projects that will help energy-intensive industries reduce greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the Commission’s ambitious Climate Goals Plan and our climate neutral goal.