European Commission approves £197m investment in resource efficiency and environmental programmes 

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An investment of €222 million (£197 million) from the European Union budget has been approved by the European Commission to aid Europe’s transition to a more sustainable and low carbon future. 

The investment is under the LIFE programme for Environmental and climate action.  

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Additional investments from EU funding will make the total €379 million (£336 million). This will go towards 139 new projects within 20 Member states. 

Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella said: “In its 25th year, the LIFE programme continues to invest in innovative projects with high added value for people, businesses and nature. I am delighted to see that the programme transforms close-to-market technologies into new, green business.” 

181.9 million (£160 million) of the investment will fund projects in the sectors of environment and resource efficiency, nature and biodiversity, and environmental governance and information. 

The projects will help Member States in their change to a better circular economy.  

Examples of these projects include: 

  • Testing an Italian prototype that could cost-effectively convert petrol cars into hybrid vehicles 
  • Creating bio-based products from wastewater sludge in the Netherlands 
  • Applying a new biological treatment to remove pesticides and nitrates from water in southern Spain. 

The EU will invest 40.2 million (£36 million) to support climate change adaption, mitigation and governance and information projects. 

Some of the projects aim to support the EU’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% by 2030. 

59 of the LIFE projects will go towards environment and resource efficiency with a budget of 134.6 million (£119 million) and the EU providing 73 million (£65 million). 

The focus areas of this project include air, environment and health, resource efficiency, waste, and water.  

15 of the resource efficiency projects will generate 37.9 million (£33 million) to support Europe’s transition to a circular economy.