EU Budget Sparks Environmental Alarm as LIFE Program Faces Ax
The European Commission's draft budget has sparked concern among environmentalists and MEPs. It proposes to eliminate the LIFE program, a key initiative for nature conservation and climate action, which has successfully supported over 6,000 projects since its inception.
The LIFE program, active from 2021 to 2027, aimed to transform the EU into a fair and prosperous society with no net emissions by 2050, and to preserve and improve its natural capital. It has achieved remarkable feats like the recovery of the Iberian lynx, bearded vulture, and black vulture. The program currently has a budget of around 5.5 billion euros for seven years.
The Greens group in the European Parliament has slammed the decision to remove LIFE from the next budget, citing the deepening biodiversity crisis. Environmental NGOs have also criticized the move, warning that nature restoration and conservation projects may lack significant support. Spain, in particular, has benefited from LIFE, with over 1,000 projects supported, including the successful revival of the Iberian lynx population.
The European Commission maintains that LIFE's objectives will continue through the new Competitiveness Fund and national/regional plans. However, responsibility for the program's removal primarily lies with the European Commission and the European Parliament, as they decide on the EU budget and funding priorities. The future of these vital environmental initiatives now hangs in the balance, awaiting the final budget approval.
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