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

The European Parliament adopted by 580 votes to 41, with 45 abstentions, amendments to the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE) and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1293/2013.

The matter was referred back to the committee for interinstitutional negotiations.

The main amendments adopted in plenary concerned the following issues:

Objective: the proposed Regulation aims to establish a Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE), covering the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027.

Parliament Members stressed that LIFE is the only programme specifically dedicated to the environment and climate and as such it plays a crucial role in supporting the implementation of EU legislation in these areas. It shall contribute to mainstream climate actions and to the achievement of an overall target of at least 25% of the EU budget expenditures supporting climate objectives over the MFF 2021-2027 period, and an annual target of 30 % as soon as possible and at the latest by 2027.

The general objective of the Programme is to:

• contribute to the shift towards a clean, circular, energy-efficient, net-zero emission and climate-resilient economy;
• protect and improve the quality of the environment;
• halt and reverse biodiversity loss and the degradation of ecosystems, thereby contributing to sustainable development.

To this end, the Programme shall:

• promote innovative techniques and approaches for reaching the objectives of the Union legislation and policy on environment and climate action, including the transition to clean, renewable energy and increased energy efficiency;
• contribute to the knowledge base, effective management and application of best practice, in relation to nature and biodiversity, including through the support of the Natura 2000 network;
• support the implementation of General Union Environment Action Programmes and improve environmental and climate governance at all levels, including by enhancing capacities of public and private actors and the involvement of civil society.

Budget: the financial envelope for the implementation of the Programme for the period 2021-2027 shall be EUR 6.44 billion in 2018 prices (EUR 7.27 billion in current prices) as opposed to EUR 5.45 billion in current prices proposed by the Commission).

The indicative distribution of the amount shall be:

• Environment: EUR 4.71 billion at 2018 prices, of which: (i) EUR 2.82 billion for the Nature and Biodiversity sub-programme and (ii) EUR 1.88 billion for the Circular Economy and Quality of Life sub-programme;
• Climate Action area: EUR 1.95 billion of which: (i) EUR 950 million for the sub-programme 'Climate change mitigation and adaptation' and (ii) EUR 1 billion for the sub-programme 'Clean energy transition'.

Synergies: LIFE shall facilitate integration, particularly in major EU funding programmes. Since environmental and climate requirements shall be integrated into the definition and implementation of all EU policies and actions, Members stressed the need to promote synergies and complementarity with other EU funding programmes, in particular by facilitating: (i) the funding of activities that complement strategic integrated projects and strategic nature projects; (ii) the uptake and replication of solutions developed under the Programme.

Implementation: the Commission shall ensure that implementation is easy to understand, and should promote genuine simplification for project developers. Projects with the highest potential of being replicated and taken-up by the public or private sector or of mobilising the largest investments or financial resources (catalytic potential) shall benefit from a bonus in their evaluation.

The just transition should be achieved in consultation and dialogue with social partners and the regions and communities affected. These should also be included to the extent possible in the development and implementation of projects.

In addition, the Programme shall involve all stakeholders and sectors involved in a clean energy transition, such as the building sector, industry, transport and agriculture.