For a clean environment

Over the past days the EU Commission had been engaged in several issues, ranging from preparations for the euro area summit, held on July 21 (that launched the task force for Greece and the normative framework for bank operativeness), to toy safety, from support to EU underdeveloped regions to international cooperation. Several measures regarded funding for research and environment protection.Investment for research. 7 billion euro “to kick-start innovation through research”: the funding package set aside by the European Commission falls within the Seventh Framework Program for Research and Technological Development. Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science explained: “Europe is again showing its commitment to putting research and innovation at the top of the political agenda for growth and jobs”. According to the Executive, such funding “is expected to create around 174 000 jobs in the short-term and nearly 450 000 jobs and nearly €80 billion in GDP growth over 15 years”. Among more than 16.000 funding recipients – pointed out the Commissioner – figure Universities, research organisations and industry “while special attention will be given to SMEs”. “EU-wide competition for these funds will bring Europe’s best researchers and innovators together to tackle the biggest issues of our time, such as energy, food security, climate change and our ageing population”.Nature preservation. On July 19 the Commission approved funding for 183 new projects under the LIFE+ program, the EU environment fund. The projects involve all EU Member States, explained Commissioner Janez Potocnik, and “will make a significant contribution to nature conservation and to improving the environment, including the fight against climate change”. The projects represent a total investment of some €530 million, of which the EU will provide €244 million. “The LIFE+ program maintains its financial support for high quality, innovative projects with a high level of added value for the EU”, pointed out the Commissioner. These new projects “will not only make a significant contribution to nature conservation and to improving the environment, including the fight against climate change. They will help raising awareness across Europe of the key environmental challenges facing us, such as decoupling growth from resource use”. Biodiversity, ecosystems. The Commission received 748 applications. Of these, 183 were selected for co-funding through the program’s three components: LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity, LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance and LIFE+ Information and Communication. Co-funding is granted to projects addressing various aspects of environmental protection ranging from Nature and Biodiversity, Environmental Policy and Governance and Information and Communication, which provide training and awareness-raising for schools, public organizations and regional bodies. Fifty-five of these projects involve partners from more than one Member State. In particular, “LIFE+ Nature & Biodiversity projects improve the conservation status of endangered species and habitats”. Of the 203 proposals received, the Commission selected for funding “64 projects from partnerships of conservation bodies, government authorities and other parties. Based in 18 Member States, they represent a total investment of €223 million”. Some of these contributed to the implementation of the Birds and/or Habitats Directives and the Natura 2000 network, the other nine are Biodiversity projects.Air, water, forests… LIFE+ Environment Policy & Governance projects are pilot projects that contribute to the development of innovative policy ideas, technologies, methods and instruments. Of the 399 proposals received, the Commission selected for funding 104 projects from a wide range of public and private sector organisations. The winning projects, based in 18 Member States, represent a total investment of €286 million. The Commission will directly fund projects tackling climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. Potocnik added, “Water is another important area of focus, with nine projects selected”. The remaining 30 projects cover various topics including air, chemicals, environment and health, forests, innovation, noise, soil protection, strategic approaches, and the urban environment”. LIFE+ Information and Communication projects disseminate information and raise the profile of environmental issues, and provide training and awareness-raising for the prevention of forest fires.