The European Commission announced on 17 February an investment of EUR 101.2 million for the latest projects under the LIFE programme for the Environment and Climate Action.
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ESTONIA
LIFE Integrated Project Environment (nature conservation)
Improving nature conservation in Estonia (LIFE-IP ForEst&FarmLand)
Forest and farmland habitats and species in Estonia are threatened by changing management practices, hydrological conditions, climate change and urbanisation. LIFE-IP ForEst&FarmLand will improve nature conservation practices in forests and farming areas within the EU Natura 2000 network of protected areas in Estonia. A range of conservation tools and methods will be introduced, with actions involving landowners, local authorities and the general public. As one-third of the country’s Natura 2000 sites are located on private land, increased involvement of landowners in nature conservation is crucial. The project will eradicate invasive alien species, draw up action plans for pollinator species and restore 5 000 ha of forest habitats, grasslands and coastal areas.
IRELAND
LIFE Integrated Project Environment (nature conservation)
Protecting and restoring Ireland’s blanket bogs (LIFE-IP PAF Wild Atlantic Nature)
Drainage, peat cutting, fires and overgrazing have left blanket bogs in the Northern and Western Region of Ireland in an unfavourable condition. LIFE-IP PAF Wild Atlantic Nature will protect and restore blanket bogs in 24 of the country’s Natura 2000 sites. Encroaching trees and shrubs will be removed, drains blocked to raise water levels and fire management measures improved. The project will increase awareness of blanket bogs’ ecological value and importance for climate change mitigation, while developing a sense of community ownership of local peatlands. It will also secure the support of landowners, land users and other local stakeholders for management plans which address the multiple threats facing these sites.
LIFE Integrated Project Environment (water)
Better water quality for lakes and rivers in Ireland (LIFE-IP Waters of Life)
Ireland’s river basin management plan for 2018-2021 sets out measures for protecting and improving the status of the country’s freshwater bodies. LIFE-IP Waters of Life will act as a river basin-scale demonstration project, testing the effectiveness of the plan’s ‘best practice’ measures across a range of landscapes. The project will encourage local communities and landowners to get involved in developing management actions for farm- and forestland. It will also build synergies between measures addressing water quality and biodiversity, and enhance public appreciation of high-status water bodies and their catchment areas.
GREECE
LIFE Integrated Project Environment (waste)
Managing waste for a circular economy in Greece (LIFE-IP CEI-Greece)
A large proportion of municipal waste in Greece still goes to landfill (almost 80% in 2017). LIFE-IP CEI-Greece will reduce this, promoting waste prevention and reuse through a number of measures. These include a ‘pay-as-you-throw’ system, a platform linking food waste donors to charities, a food waste prevention forum and a repair-and-reuse park. Three centres will be set up in Thessaloniki and Athens to improve waste collection, recycling and reuse rates. Five integrated waste management systems will address specific challenges for four islands and one mountainous area, increasing the amount of waste prepared for reuse and recycling by at least 55%. The project will also develop new waste indicators and standards to help build the circular economy in Greece.
SPAIN
LIFE Integrated Project Climate Action (climate change adaptation)
Improving the Basque Country’s resilience to climate change (LIFE-IP URBAN KLIMA 2050)
Along with other areas of south and southeast Europe, the Basque Country is expected to be critically affected by climate change. Its KLIMA 2050 strategy is aimed at radically improving the region’s climate change resilience. The LIFE URBAN KLIMA 2050 project will help to implement this strategy, promoting its integration into land and urban planning as well as other policy areas, such as health, water and energy. Valuable information will be gained from pilot actions in urban areas, river basins and coastal regions on ways of increasing resilience. The project will also increase community commitment, ensuring that 70% of the local population are willing to change their habits to support climate action.
FRANCE
LIFE Integrated Project Climate Action (climate change adaptation)
Nature-based solutions to support climate change adaptation (LIFE IP ARTISAN)
This project supports France’s second national plan for climate change adaptation, covering 2018-2022. LIFE IP ARTISAN will increase climate change resilience in France, building national adaptation capacity using nature-based solutions. A framework will be created consisting of 13 regional networks which favours the emergence of local climate adaptation projects focused on ecosystems. Through 10 pilots, LIFE IP ARTISAN will demonstrate nature-based climate change adaptation solutions. Over 1 000 local authorities will benefit from technical support in carrying out nature-based adaptation projects.
LIFE Integrated Project Climate Action (sustainable finance)
A boost for sustainable finance
Sustainable finance is an emerging area with significant knowledge gaps. Financial experts often have limited knowledge of environmental issues and vice versa. The AFFAP project will bridge these gaps through actions in three areas. It will work to ensure full compliance with existing and upcoming requirements on sustainable finance, for instance by upgrading the capacity needed to conduct climate change risk analysis. In addition, AFFAP will help create a level playing field for standards relating to climate risk and other environmental metrics, to inform investment decisions. The project will also combine regulatory reforms, innovative tools and communication activities to mainstream green products. In five year’s time, all French banks and insurers will have conducted a climate-stress test.
CYPRUS
LIFE Integrated Project Environment (nature conservation)
Managing the Natura 2000 network better in Cyprus (LIFE IP PHYSIS)
Cyprus is among the top five EU countries in terms of land area covered by the Natura 2000 network (almost 29%). However, knowledge gaps exist for many protected habitats and species, while a significant number of management plans for Natura 2000 sites are in need of updating. LIFE IP PHYSIS will help conserve important habitats and species through implementation of the so-called ‘prioritised action framework’ for the Natura 2000 network in Cyprus. The project will fill knowledge gaps, improve governance of the network, make use of ecosystem services, and implement actions and management plans to conserve habitats and species.
LATVIA
LIFE Integrated Project Environment (water)
Improving water quality in Latvia’s rivers and lakes (LIFE GoodWater IP)
Management of river basins in Latvia must be improved in order to meet the standards required by the EU Water Framework Directive. LIFE GoodWater IP will implement in full the measures set out in management plans for Latvia’s four river basins, improving water quality in the country’s rivers and lakes. As a result, 5% of the water bodies currently at risk are expected to achieve ‘good’ status. Long term, the project should indirectly help up to 30% reach this level. LIFE GoodWater IP will reduce pollution in water bodies caused by urban wastewater and by nutrients in run-off from agricultural and forestry land. The project will also improve hydrological conditions and restore natural river dynamics by adding boulders and gravel at key sites while removing silt and vegetation at others.
SLOVAKIA AND CZECHIA
LIFE Integrated Project Environment (air quality)
Reducing citizens’ exposure to air pollutants (LIFE-IP SK AQ Improvement)
Slovakia suffers from poor air quality which affects both public health and the environment. Particulate matter from burning of solid fuels for household heating and nitrogen oxide emissions from transport are especially problematic. LIFE-IP SK AQ Improvement will help Slovakia comply with EU directives on air quality, reducing the population’s exposure to harmful air pollutants. Measures such as encouraging less-polluting forms of transport and replacing inefficient, old boilers will be promoted, reducing households’ emissions of fine particles by 25%. Management and monitoring of air quality at regional and local level will be improved and authorities assisted with implementing air quality management plans. The project will also target all regions of neighbouring Czechia, which is affected by similar problems.
Source: European Commission
