The LIFE programme was established in 1992, alongside the adoption of the Habitats Directive, as one of its main objectives was to support the directive’s implementation. Since then, the nature conservation sub-program has remained the largest sub-program within LIFE in terms of budget.
In addition to nature and environmental protection, the climate policy sector was given its own sub-program in 2014, separating from the environmental sub-program. Then, in 2021, a fourth sub-program was introduced, Transition to Clean Energy.
LIFE is the only direct EU funding program specifically dedicated to supporting environmental and nature conservation, as well as climate policy and the clean energy transition.
The primary goal of the LIFE Programme is to support the achievement of the ambitious targets set by the European Green Deal by 2050.
Additionally, its general objective is to contribute to the transition towards a sustainable, circular, energy-efficient, renewable energy-based, climate-neutral, and climate-resilient economy. This includes: protecting, restoring, and improving the quality of the environment - including air, water, and soil -, halting and reversing biodiversity loss and addressing ecosystem degradation, supporting the implementation and operation of the Natura 2000 network, thereby contributing to sustainable development.
For the budgetary period from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2027, the financial framework for the implementation of the LIFE programme is EUR 5.4 billion. The financial funding of the LIFE programme is carried out through two main areas and four sub-programs.
Environmental area: EUR 3,488,000,000
Nature and Biodiversity (NATURE): EUR 2,143,000,000
Circular Economy and Quality of Life (ENV): EUR 1,345,000,000
Climate policy area: EUR 1,944,000,000
Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation (CLIMA): EUR 947,000,000
Clean Energy Transition (CET): EUR 997,000,000
