For the next long-term EU budget for 2021-2027, the European Commission is proposing to increase funding by almost 60% for LIFE, the European Union's program for the environment and climate action. The LIFE program is among the EU funding programs for which the commission is proposing the largest proportional increase, with a budget of €5.45 billion between 2021 and 2027, the European Commission's official website reported.

The executive body has integrated climate action into all major EU spending programs, in particular cohesion policy, regional development, energy, transport, research and innovation, the Common Agricultural Policy as well as the EU's development policy, making the EU budget a driver of sustainability.

To implement the Paris Agreement and the commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the commission has proposed to raise the level of ambition for climate financing across all EU programs, with at least 25% of EU expenditure contributing to climate objectives.

Global Leader

Commissioner for Environment Karmenu Vella said, "The EU is a global leader for environmental protection and climate action; where we spend our money should reflect this.

"With more funding, we can strengthen our LIFE program to ensure that it can effectively contribute to protecting our environment and speeding up the transition to a clean, energy-efficient, low-carbon and climate-resilient economy."

Climate Action and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete noted, "A stronger LIFE program will play an important role in expanding investments in climate action and clean energy across Europe. "By continuing to support climate change mitigation and adaptation, LIFE will also continue to help the EU deliver on its climate goals and commitments under the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals."

Launched in 1992, the LIFE Program is one of the spearheads of EU environmental and climate funding. It has financed over 4,500 projects, contributing €5.9 billion to environment protection and climate action. The present LIFE program started in 2014 and runs until 2020, with a budget of €3.5 billion.

LIFE has played a significant role in the implementation of major EU environmental legislation including the Habitats and Birds Directives. The proposal for the new program for 2021-2027 builds upon the results of the mid-term evaluation of the present program as well as an impact assessment.