Source: European Commission

Brussels, 12 December 2011 – The Commission proposes to allocate EUR 3.2
billion over 2014-2020 to a new Programme for the Environment and Climate
Action – LIFE. The proposed new programme will build on the success of the
existing LIFE+ Programme but will be reformed to have a greater impact, be
simpler and more flexible and have a significantly increased budget.

New aspects of the future LIFE Programme include:
- Creation of a new sub-programme for Climate Action;
- Clearer definition of priorities with multi-annual work programmes adopted in
consultation with the Member States;
- New possibilities to implement programmes on a larger scale through
“Integrated projects” which can help mobilise other EU, national and private
funds for environmental or climate objectives.
The sub-programme for Environment will support efforts in the following areas:
- “Environment and Resource Efficiency” will focus on more innovative solutions
for better implementation of environment policy and integrating environmental
objectives in other sectors;
- “Biodiversity” will develop best practices to halt biodiversity loss and restore
ecosystem services, while keeping its primary focus on supporting Natura 2000
sites, especially via integrated projects consistent with Member States
Prioritised Action Frameworks (as described in the Commission’s new paper
on Financing Natura 2000);
- “Environmental Governance and Information” will promote knowledge sharing,
dissemination of best practices, and better compliance, in addition to
awareness raising campaigns.

The sub-programme for Climate Action covers the following areas:
- “Climate Change Mitigation” will focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions;
- “Climate Change Adaptation” will focus on increasing resilience to climate
change;
- “Climate Governance and Information” will focus on increasing awareness,
communication, cooperation and dissemination on climate mitigation and
adaptation actions.

More information here