Programme for the environment and climate action (LIFE) (2021-2027)

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EU) 2021/783 establishing a programme for the environment and climate action (LIFE)

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?

It aims to:

contribute to the shift towards a sustainable, circular, energy-efficient, renewable-energy-based, climate-neutral and climate-resilient economy;
protect, restore and improve the quality of the environment, including the air, water and soil;
halt and reverse biodiversity loss and tackle the degradation of ecosystems, including through supporting the implementation and management of the Natura 2000 network.

KEY POINTS

LIFE is the only European Union (EU) programme dedicated specifically to the environment and climate action. It pursues the objectives set out in the European Green Deal (see summary) and the EU biodiversity strategy 2030 (see summary) and forms part of the EU’s response to the sustainable development goals set out in the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Specific objectives

The programme has three specific objectives.

1.
To develop, demonstrate and promote innovative techniques, methods and approaches for reaching the EU’s environmental and climate policy and legislative objectives and to contribute to the knowledge base and application of best practice, in particular in relation to nature and biodiversity, including through the support of the Natura 2000 network.
2.
To support the development, implementation, monitoring and enforcement of relevant EU environmental and climate legislation and policy, including by improving governance at all levels, and in particular by enhancing the capacities of public and private actors and the involvement of civil society.
3.
To act as a catalyst for the large-scale deployment of successful technical and policy-related solutions for implementing relevant EU environmental and climate legislation and policy by replicating results, by integrating related objectives into other policies and into public and private sector practices, by mobilising investment and by improving access to finance.

Budget

The programme runs from 1 January 2021 until 31 December 2027 with a budget of €5.432 billion.
The agreed budget reflects the target agreed under the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework to spend at least 30% of the EU’s budget on climate objectives.

Funding awards

The regulation sets out the rules for awarding funding through the LIFE programme including:

the eligibility of the actions proposed
the eligibility of the entities proposing the action
the award criteria.

FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?

It has applied since 1 January 2021.

BACKGROUND

LIFE programme (European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency).

MAIN DOCUMENT

Regulation (EU) 2021/783 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2021 establishing a Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE), and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1293/2013 (OJ L 172, 17.5.2021, pp. 53-78)