EU approves more than €280m for new environment and climate projects

The projects selected were submitted by beneficiaries in all 28 Member States and cover actions in the fields of nature conservation, climate change, environmental policy and information and communication on environmental issues across the EU.

Overall, they represent a total investment of some €589.3 million, of which the EU will provide €282.6m.

Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik said: “In the final year of the current programming period, the LIFE+ programme once again demonstrates its ability to deliver essential financial support for environmental and nature conservation projects with significant added value for the EU.

“These latest projects will make a vital contribution to the preservation, conservation and enhancement of Europe’s natural capital, as well as helping to achieve sustainable growth through investment in a low carbon and resource efficient economy,” he added.

Commissioner for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard said: “I am happy to see so many innovative projects also this year. And to make them happen, we will contribute with more than €41.2m, with a total budget of €109.4m.

“An ever rising share of LIFE projects is contributing to climate action. And we want to improve this even more: The new LIFE programme from 2014 to 2020 will foresee over 850 million Euros dedicated to climate action. This will roughly triple the amount which is spent on climate action,” she added.

The Commission received 1,468 applications in response to its latest call for proposals, which closed in June 2013. Of these, 225 were selected for co-funding through the programme’s three components: LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity, LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance and LIFE+ Information and Communication.

Leigh Stringer