12 December 2011News about LIFE’s successor has been released from the European Commission which confirms a proposed LIFE budget of €3.2 billion over the 2014-2020 financial period. The new draft regulation refers to a LIFE Programme for the Environment and Climate Action and has been designed to build on the success of the existing LIFE+ Programme.

The proposals introduce innovations to strengthen LIFE’s structure, enhance its strategic role and simplify operations through greater flexibility. Emphasis will also be placed on better governance and the LIFE regulation proposal includes clearer definition of priority areas for the Programme, based on multi-annual work programmes being adopted in consultation with Member States.

The current LIFE + components will be replaced by ‘sub-programmes’ covering Environment and Climate Action. Announcing the new LIFE regulation proposals, Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik said, "The LIFE programme is key to EU environmental policy and legislation. It is the only EU instrument solely dedicated to the environment, with resources earmarked for environmental protection."

LIFE’s new structure was also welcomed by Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard who noted that, "By including specific funds for climate objectives, we will better ensure the implementation and integration of all environmental aims." Priorities within the regulation proposals highlight LIFE’s future role in supporting new types of ‘Integrated project’ activity.

These LIFE projects will promote, coordinate and catalyse large territorial scale approaches to planning and management of the EU’s nature, water, waste, air, and climate.

Such integrated territorial projects will also play a key role in mobilising other EU, national and private funds to support environmental goals. Integrated project approaches would be a common feature of the future LIFE Programme’s Environment and Climate Action sub-programmes.