Projects will cover areas including restoration of natural habitats, accelerating the clean energy transition and strengthening climate resilience
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The European Commission has granted more than €390million to 135 new projects across Europe under a programme aimed at environmental and climate action.
Known as the LIFE programme, projects under its remit all play a significant role in the transition to a clean, circular and resilient economy and to the EU’s goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2050.
More than €223 million (of which the EU will provide over €151 million) will be spent on 29 nature and biodiversity projects aimed at restoring and protecting natural habitats to conserve species that live there.
Nearly €163 million (of which the EU will provide almost €91 million) will cover 36 projects that contribute to a clean, circular, energy-efficient, and climate-resilient economy while improving quality of life. This includes projects that reduce flood risk in Belgium’s Dender Valley by restoring natural water flow and reduce microplastic release in Slovakia using real-time tyre inflation technology.
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Among the 26 projects on climate resilience and mitigation, the CARENA LIFE project in Germany will advance nature-based carbon removal techniques, while a €5.9 million project in the Mediterranean will support the region with post-wildfire restoration.
The EU has also selected 44 new multi-country projects for funding to support the clean energy transition. For example, a €15.8 million proposal will cover all EU countries plus Iceland, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Ukraine, helping to provide financial and technical assistance to local authorities investing in sustainable energy.
Plans to support nature and biodiversity also include the restoration of coastal sand dunes in Belgium; the conservation of globally threatened diving ducks along the Black Sea-Mediterranean flyway in Bulgaria, as well as the rescuing and protection of rare species such as the sand jurinea (Czechia), the Iberian trumpet rat (Spain) and several species of vultures (Romania and Bulgaria).
The Commission selected this year’s projects from a record 1,095 applications.
‘The impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss and unsustainable use of resources are increasingly challenging the prosperity and wellbeing of European citizens. Today’s announcement confirms the Commission’s ongoing commitment to a sustainable future,’ said EU commissioner for the environment, water resilience and a competitive circular economy Jessika Roswall.
‘The quality of the selected projects illustrates the level of determination and professionalism of our partners across the EU. I look forward to seeing how these projects build on them to create a resilient society. ‘
