EU plans to change funding mechanisms for environmental initiatives 'deeply regressive'

The LIFE programme is Europe’s dedicated funding instrument for environmental and biodiversity initiatives and, since 1992, Ireland has secured over 100 projects with investment exceeding €200m. File picture

EU plans to change the funding mechanisms for environmental and biodiversity initiatives are “deeply regressive” and “inherently contradictory”, Irish TDs and senators have said.

In a political contribution on the European Commission’s plans for a new European Competitiveness Fund, the Oireachtas climate committee said it had deep concerns on the proposals.

“The committee recommends an urgent reconsideration of [the commission’s] proposed repeal of the regulation supporting the EU LIFE Programme,” it said.

“The maintenance of a dedicated and publicly accessible programme for climate and biodiversity action is manifestly in the interest of Ireland and the European Union.” 

Under the European Commission proposals, it said that a European Competitiveness Fund will be a flexible mechanism for Europe to respond quickly to challenges and mobilise the “entire financial toolbox of the Union budget”.

The LIFE programme is Europe’s dedicated funding instrument for environmental and biodiversity initiatives and, since 1992, Ireland has secured over 100 projects with investment exceeding €200m.

Projects in Ireland have included efforts to preserve the habitat of the Corncrake bird, improving the water quality and aquatic biodiversity of Dublin’s urban rivers, and reversing the decline of Lough Carra in Mayo.

The committee said that the primary implication of the European Commission’s new proposals would be that projects currently supported by LIFE would be integrated into “larger funding instruments” from 2028 that also cover funding for research, industry, digital technologies and defence.

While Europe has indicated that climate and environmental objectives would be preserved under such a framework, it was noted that stakeholders said this may appear different in practice.

Furthermore, it said that including it within a “competitive” funding framework would not always be suitable for nature and biodiversity work that is not geared towards making a profit or capturing a market.

“This new approach risks the erosion of funding levels for nature and biodiversity and diminished focus, impact and efficacy, including a potential reduction in specialised expertise within funding decision processes,” the committee said.

“Over the last three decades, the LIFE Programme has proven itself as a targeted, effective instrument for delivering EU environmental and biodiversity initiatives, with Ireland’s successes offering clear proof of its practical benefits from largescale strategic initiatives to innovative local pilots that shape national policy.” 

It said it had concerns that the proposals would pit activities currently funded by LIFE into other areas and push environmental and biodiversity interests to the margins.

Removing the LIFE programme would also lead to the absence of a ring-fenced budget for environmental and biodiversity initiatives, a reduced visibility on outcomes, and barriers for smaller public and civil society stakeholders to take part, the committee warned.

“The committee welcomes the commitment to green spending that the EU Commission has made as part of the proposal,” it said. 

“However, it is recommended that this does not come at the price of a proven and successful initiative that showcases the clear benefit of the EU supporting bottom-up community-based climate and biodiversity action.

“In the context of the ongoing climate and biodiversity crisis, the committee recommends that all EU funding toward climate and environmental actions such as those undertaken in the LIFE Programme is exempted from qualification linked to competitiveness.”