Great news: EU CO2 emissions from energy decreased in 2016
Eurostat estimated a 0.4% decrease of carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion in the EU, in 2016. CO2  emissions are contributing to global warming and account for 80% of EU greenhouse gas emissions. Factors such as climate conditions, economic growth, population, transport, industrial activities are heavily influencing the CO2 emissions values. The EU Members States are undertaking several initiatives on energy efficiency, aiming to reduce CO2 and other greenhouse gases emissions.
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New agreement between the EC and the EIB on reinforcing the ELENA facility
On 2nd of May, the European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) signed an agreement on reinforcing the European Local Energy Assistance facility with a budget of €30 million for new projects. In particular, €20 million will be dedicated to projects on energy efficiency and renewable energy, and €10 million to sustainable urban transport and mobility projects.
The ELENA facility was established in 2009, it is managed by the EIB and financed by the EU research and innovation funding programme - Horizon 2020. ELENA provides grant funding to large- scale investment programmes in the area of energy efficiency, distributed renewables, and sustainable urban transport, and has so far awarded around €100 million of EU support. ELENA funding is allocated on a first-come-first-served basis for the development of projects leading to investments above €30 million, and covers up to 90% of eligible project development costs.
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New study on Preserving agricultural soils in the EU
The AGRI Committee published a new study that identifies threats to soils and soil services such as erosion, floods and landslides, loss of soil organic matter, salinisation, contamination, compaction, sealing, and loss of soil biodiversity.
Changes on the soil management have an impact on the main ecosystem services: the provision of harvestable crops, clean freshwater and nutrients for plants and animals, conservation of suitable habitats for biodiversity, and maintenance of a benign climate. The study shows how innovation towards more sustainable soil management can be promoted through legislation, giving an overview of the exiting policy instruments and initiatives on soil protection, in EU as well as in Members States. Click on the link to read the full document.
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Updating the Energy efficiency directive
On 8 June, the ENVI committee will consider the drafted report on the Energy efficiency directive, part of the “Clean Energy” package, presented by the European Commission on 30 November 2016. On this day, the Commission proposed an updated of the 2012 Energy Efficiency Directive, aiming a target of 30% energy efficiency to be reached by 2030.
In its resolution of 15 December 2015, the European Parliament required a binding target of 40% for energy efficiency by 2030. Jytte Guteland (S&D), Rapporteur on Energy efficiency, proposes measures that would bring to a 47% reduction of EU greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compare to 1990. Read more here.
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Amending the Environmental Liability Directive (ELD)
On 8 June, the ENVI committee will vote a drafted opinion on the Environmental Liability Directive, elaborated based on the results of the REFIT evaluation. The ELD, entered into force on 30 April 2004, establishes a framework of environmental liability to prevent and remedy environmental damages, such as damage to biodiversity, water and land. The directive is based on the “polluter pays-principle”, and has been amended three times in order to broaden the scope of strict liability for dangerous occupational activities. Click here for more information.
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Events
LIFE 2017 Info day @EU Green Week
In 2017, more than €373 million EU funds are available for projects in nature conservation, biodiversity, green technology and climate action all over Europe. Of which, €290 million are foreseen for the sub-programme for Environment and over €82 million for the sub-programme for Climate Action.
Co-financing rates
For the period 2014-2017, the LIFE co-financing rate is 60%, except in cases where a project focuses on concrete conservation actions for priority species or habitat, where cofinancing can, under certain conditions, increase to 75%. (Capacity building projects for Member States are co-financed at 100% of eligible costs.)
Who can participate
Legal persons (entities) registered in the EU: public bodies, private commercial organisations and private non-commercial organisations (NGOs).
*Certain non-EU countries may negotiate full participation in the LIFE programme.
Under LIFE, there is no minimum number of beneficiaries set.
Hot to write a good proposal?
The project consist of two equally important parts: description part and action part.
- When writing a proposal, start with a short analysis of the problem, state of play and solutions proposed. (AW1)
- Include on the proposal a clear strategy that ensures replication and/or transfer of project results (AW6), as well as sustainability of the project results (AW1).
- The sequence of actions should be logical and linked to project description (AW1). Limit the number of actions to those strictly necessary to achieve the project objectives.
- Make a clear description of the staff involved in the actions (AW1).
- Make a quantitative estimation of the results and impacts, during and 3/5 years after the project ends (AW3).
- Involve key stakeholders. Transnational projects providing evidence of an added value due to the transnational approach, will have higher scoring (AW7).
- Include on the proposal expected time needed to gather information, obtain permits and authorization, take in consideration possible delays.
The call for proposals was launched on 28 April, with deadlines in September 2017.
Read the LIFE orientation document here.
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Events
Decarbonizing road transport in the EU and the role of biofuels towards 2030
On the 3rd of May EUBIA attended to the conference Green transport roadmap held in the Stanhope Hotel of Brussels and organized by The Ecological Council (Denmark). Four experts were invited to present the last results from a new analysis of how to reduce CO2 emissions from road transport, with special focus on the role of biofuels, by 30% by 2030. This target has already been set by the EU for the non-emission trading system (also called non-ETS) sectors.
The video recordings of the whole conference can be found on the following link.
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Events
Breakfast briefing on the future of biomass in Europe- LULUCF legislative proposal
On 30 of May, Hume Brophy organised an event on the contribution of biomass to the EU’s 2030 renewables target. MEP Nils Torvalds, Member of ENVI Committee and Shadow Rapporteur for the LULUCF and the RED II proposals, gave a speech on the future of biomass in Europe.
On 20th of July 2016, the European Commission presented a legislative proposal to integrate greenhouse gas emissions and removals from land use, land use- change and forestry (LULUCF) into the 2030 climate and energy framework.
Biomass is important in order to fulfil the EU’s 27% renewable target for 2030. Nevertheless, concerns are raised on the massive use of forest biomass from wood for energy production.
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