Nature wins in new LIFE+ programme
'I would like to express my warm thanks to both the Parliament and Council', European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said as he welcomed the final agreement reached by the two institutions on the new LIFE+ programme for Europe's environment. The deal reached through the last-chance conciliation process means €1.94 billion will be set aside for the seven-year environmental programme running from 2007 to 2013. 'I would like to express my warm thanks to both the Parliament and Council for their efforts in finding a swift compromise on this vital instrument for the environment,' said Commissioner Dimas. 'While more funds will - and should - be spent on the environment through other funds such as the structural funds, the framework programme for research etc, the importance of LIFE+ is undeniable,' he added. The agreement was reached with unanimous support from MEPs, who accepted to yield 78% of the budget to the responsibility of Member States, whilst the Commission would maintain central control of the programme, with proposed projects still being subject to its final approval. At least 50% of the budget will be reserved for spending on the 'nature and biodiversity' part of the programme for nature conservation. MEPs also pushed for a larger budget, managing to squeeze out a slight increase of €40 million, bringing the total of LIFE+ funding to €1.94 billion. In addition, the new LIFE+ should be a simpler, streamlined programme as it brings together under one single framework several funding arrangements, such as the former LIFE programme, Forest Focus, the programme for sustainable urban development and the support programme for the non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The global environment network, WWF, said it was satisfied with the agreement on LIFE+, particularly in view of the 50% of total LIFE+ budget being dedicated specifically to nature and biodiversity measures. 'This is an important contribution to the goal of halting the loss of biodiversity in Europe by 2010, although preserving species such as the Iberian lynx and brown bear from extinction is still a big challenge,' said Andreas Baumüller, Biodiversity Officer at WWF. 'This deal will enable us to breathe life into LIFE+ as soon as possible. Interested parties will be able to apply for EU funds very quickly,' said Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou, an MEP from Greece. LIFE+ will address all four priority areas of the Sixth Environment Action Programme (6EAP, running from 2002 to 2012): climate change; nature and biodiversity; health and quality of life; natural resources and waste - as well as the programme's seven 'Thematic Strategies'. The new programme will be divided into three strands: - LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity focusing on the implementation of the EU directives on the conservation of habitats and of wild birds, as well as further strengthening the knowledge needed for developing, assessing, monitoring and evaluating EU nature and biodiversity policy and legislation; - LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance covering the other 6EAP priorities besides nature and biodiversity, as well as strategic approaches to policy development, implementation and enforcement; - LIFE+ Information and Communication on environmental issues Since 1992, LIFE has co-financed some 2,750 projects, contributing approximately €1.35 billion to the protection of the environment.