The Commission proposes to allocate 3,2 billion over the next period (2014-2020) to a new Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE).
The new programme will build on the success of the existing LIFE+ program but will be reformed to have a greater impact, be simpler and flexible and have a significantly increased budget also mobilising support from other funding sources.
The simplification combined with a specific tool, is aimed at promote the consistency and the added value of the EU intervention.
New aspects of the future LIFE Programme include:
- More emphasis dedicated to the climate protection through the creation of a new sub-programme for Climate Action;
- Clearer definition of priorities with multi-annual work programmes adopted in consultation with the Member States;
- New possibilities to implement programmes on a larger scale through “Integrated projects” which can help mobilise other EU, national and private funds for environmental or climate objectives.
The new LIFE program will be divided into 2 subprograms:
- The subprogram Environment which will support efforts in the following areas:
a. Environment and Resource Efficiency will focus on more innovative solutions for better implementation of environment policy and integrating environmental objectives in other sectors.
b.Biodiversity will develop best practices to halt biodiversity loss and restore ecosystem services, while keeping its primary focus on supporting Natura 2000 sites, especially via integrated projects consistent with Member States Prioritised Action Frameworks (as described in the Commission’s new paper on Financing Natura 2000).
c. Environmental Governance and Information will promote knowledge sharing, dissemination of best practices, and better compliance, in addition to awareness raising campaigns. - The subprogram for Climate Action covers the following areas:
a. Climate Change Mitigation will focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
b. Climate Change Adaptation will focus on increasing resilience to climate change.
c. Climate Governance and Information will focus on increasing awareness, communication, cooperation and dissemination on climate mitigation and adaptation actions.
Grants to finance projects will remain the Programme’s main type of intervention.
Operating grants for NGOs and other bodies will still be possible, and there will also be scope for contributions to innovative financial instruments.
LIFE will expand the territorial application to the extra European countries and will adopt lighter and more flexible procedures.
(12/12/2011)