Brussels, Europe — In a decisive step towards environmental sustainability, the European Commission announced a significant investment of more than 380 million euros for 133 new projects under the LIFE program for the environment and climate action. This ambitious financing initiative represents more than half of the total investment needs of €574 million for these projects, with the remainder coming from a coalition of national, regional and local governments, as well as contributions from public-private partnerships , businesses and civil societies. organizations of society.
These LIFE projects aim to contribute significantly to achieving the objectives set in the European Green Deal. These targets notably include the EU’s overarching objective of becoming climate neutral by 2050 and halting and reversing the loss of biodiversity by 2030. The Commission stressed that this investment will have a positive impact on the environment, economy and the good. -to be of all Europeans.
The allocated funding encompasses various critical areas of focus within the LIFE program, including:
Circular economy and quality of life: With a budget of 143 million euros, including a 74 million euro contribution from the EU26, the selected projects aim to strengthen circular economic practices and improve quality of life. Key initiatives include reducing water consumption and pollution while strongly advocating for increased recycling efforts. Nature and Biodiversity Projects: Nearly €216 million has been set aside for projects focused on nature and biodiversity, including €144.5 million from the EU. These projects focus on restoring vital ecosystems, including freshwater and marine environments, and improving the conservation of various species such as birds, insects and mammals. Resilience and climate change mitigation: Around €110 million (including almost €62 million from the EU) will support initiatives to improve climate resilience, as well as governance and information strategies. Governance and market solutions: The projects also include €105 million (with a substantial EU contribution of €99 million) for governance solutions to accelerate the transition to clean energy.
One of the most notable projects is LIFE GRAPHIC, which aims to recycle graphite from battery waste in Italy, is expected to generate 23.4 million euros in turnover while saving 25 million euros in manufacturing costs. production. Another notable initiative, VIE POLITEX will invest 5 million euros in Spain to reduce the environmental footprint of the fashion industry by reconverting textile waste into new materials. From the Canary Islands, the DESALIFE project aims to improve water resilience by producing fresh water from the Atlantic Ocean, with wave buoys expected to pump an impressive 1.7 billion liters of desalinated water towards the shore.
In addition, LIFE4Water Warbler and LA VIE AWOM are collaborative projects involving several countries: Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Lithuania, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, alongside international partners from Ukraine and Senegal – collectively focused on saving the rare water warbler. The projects have a combined budget of almost €24 million, in line with the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.
In the area of climate resilience, the LA VIE DES IMAGES and VINOSHIELD VIE projects, with a budget of €6.8 million, aim to fortify the iconic vineyards and cheese production of Spain, France and of Italy against extreme climate change. These projects are crucial examples of how the agricultural sector can adapt to the looming threats of climate change.
Two projects distinctly aimed at fostering a clean energy transition include LIFE DiVirtue, which uses virtual and augmented reality technologies in Bulgaria, Czechia, Greece, Croatia and Romania to train construction professionals in sustainable construction practices. zero emissions, and the ENERCOM INSTALLATION Project which will unlock nearly 10 million euros to support emerging energy communities across Europe.
The LIFE programme, operational for 32 years, has co-financed more than 6,000 environmental and climate action projects in the EU and associated countries. The current allocation follows an increase in program funding of almost 60% for the period 2021 to 2027, which now stands at over €5.43 billion. The funds are managed by CINÉAl, the European Executive Agency for Climate Infrastructure and the Environment.
As the EU moves forward in its commitment to environmental sustainability, these new LIFE projects represent a vital investment in the future well-being of the planet and its inhabitants.
Originally published in The European Times.
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