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

PURPOSE: to establish a programme for the environment and climate action (LIFE) for the period 2021-2027.

PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the European Parliament decides in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal footing with the Council.

BACKGROUND: the EU is a global leader in environmental protection and climate action. The Commission considers the shift towards a clean, energy-efficient, low-carbon and climate-resilient economy to be a priority.

The programme for the environment and climate action (LIFE), established by Regulation (EU) No 1293/2013 for the period 2014 to 2020, is the latest in a series of Union programmes over 25 years which support the implementation of environmental and climate legislation and policy priorities.

Through its catalytic role, the programme supports small scale actions intended to initiate, expand or promote sustainable production, distribution and consumption practices, as well as to protect natural heritage.

The Commission considers that this approach should be continued in the multiannual financial framework for the period 2021-2027. An enhanced LIFE programme would play an important role in developing climate action and clean energy investments across Europe. It would also help the EU meet its climate objectives and commitments under the Paris Agreement and the UN’s sustainable development goals.

The Commission proposal for the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework set a more ambitious goal for climate mainstreaming across all EU programmes, with an overall target of 25% of EU expenditure contributing to climate objectives.

CONTENT: the proposed Regulation - presented for a Union of 27 Member States – seeks to establish the environment and climate action programme (LIFE). It lays down the objectives of the programme, the budget for the period 2021-2027, as well as the forms of Union funding and the rules for providing such funding.

Programme objectives: the proposed programme aims to achieve the Union’s objectives as set out in international environmental, climate and clean energy legislation, policy, plans and commitments. Its overall objective is to contribute to the shift towards:

• a clean, circular, energy-efficient, low-carbon and climate-resilient economy, including a transition to clean energy;
• protecting and improving the quality of the environment;
• halting and reversing biodiversity loss, including in marine ecosystems, so as to contribute to sustainable development.

In particular, the new LIFE programme shall:

• mobilise investment and support energy efficiency activities, particularly in European regions lagging behind in the shift towards clean energy;
• support projects promoting best practice in relation to nature protection and biodiversity, as well as ‘strategic nature protection projects’ for all Member States, including measures to protect the marine environment;
• contribute to the transition to a circular economy model through financial support targeting a variety of actors (businesses, public authorities and consumers), in particular by applying, developing, and replicating best technology, practices and solutions tailored to specific local, regional or national contexts, including through integrated approaches for the implementation of waste management and prevention plans;
• support the other aspects of the Union's environment policy, such as the protection and improvement of air and water quality in the EU, implementing the 2030 climate and energy policy framework and meeting the Union’s commitments under the Paris Agreement. Actions taken under the programme are expected to contribute 61 % of the overall financial envelope of the programme to climate objectives.

The Commission proposes to simplify the programme management procedures and allow for a wider geographical access. Synergies would be developed with the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, Horizon Europe, the Connecting Europe Facility and InvestEU.

Proposed budget: EUR 5.45 billion in current prices for the period 2021-2027. The indicative breakdown of this amount is as follows:

• Environment: EUR 3.5 billion of which: (i) EUR 2.15 billion for the Nature and Biodiversity sub-programme; (ii) EUR 1.35 billion for the Circular Economy and Quality of Life sub-programme;
• Climate action: EUR 1.95 billion of which: (i) EUR 950 million for the sub-programme Climate change mitigation and adaptation; (ii) EUR 1 billion for the sub-programme clean energy transition.