LIFE programme is key to shift to a sustainable economy both for people and for the environment, say S&Ds
Date
17 Apr 2019
Sections
Climate & Environment
Today the European Parliament backed a deal reached with the EU Council for a new LIFE programme 2021-2027. It is the only programme dedicated specifically to environment and climate action, and it remains a crucial, effective and efficient financial instrument to achieve the EU’s objectives.
MEP Nicola Caputo, S&D shadow rapporteur and chair of the LIFE working group in the European Parliament, said:
“This is a very important step to achieve the decarbonisation objective adopted at the UN Paris Climate Conference. This is part of our strategy to quickly shift towards a net-zero economy. One of our Group contributions in the negotiations was to direct an increased share of LIFE to the new ‘Clean Energy Transition sub-programme’.
“The new programme improves environmental and climate governance at all levels, including by enhancing capacities of public and private actors and the involvement of civil society and NGOs. This was an important request from our Group.
“The new programme also recognises the importance of the integrated projects which serve as a catalyst to implement environmental or climate plans or strategies at regional, multi-regional or national level. Their scope and the number of these projects will be increased in the future.
“We are happy that we could reach a common understanding in the negotiations with the Council before the end of the term, which can already bring more clarity for the transition between the current funding period (2014-2020) and the new one. The Parliament has in its mandate proposed the doubling of LIFE funding from the current budget to €7.2 billion. We now hope that the Council places similar importance on the LIFE Programme and its environment and climate in the finalised Multiannual Financial Framework.”