Updating the mid-term review of Regulation (EC) No 1655/2000 LIFE. Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council.

Abstract

The Financial Instrument for the Environment (LIFE) III programme has been extended by two years, until 31 December 2006, by the provisions of Article 1 (5) a of Regulation (EC) No 1682/2004 amending Regulation (EC) No 1655/2000. The extension was made in order to avoid a gap between the close of LIFE III at the end of 2004 and new Community financial perspectives from 2007. Article 12 (1) a of Regulation (EC) No 1655/2000, as amended, stipulates that the Commission must submit a report updating the mid-term review submitted in November 2003, evaluating the implementation of this Regulation, its contribution to the development of Community environmental policy and the use made of the appropriations. This update covers the period from mid 2003 when the mid-term review was prepared, resulting in the report of 5 November 2003 (COM(2003) 668 final), until Spring 2005. Between 1992 and 2004, the LIFE programme has co-funded almost 2500 projects covering 40 countries and territories and made commitments of € 1.3 billion towards the total estimated cost of the projects of € 3.6 billion. The programme has supported a wide range of projects, tackling problems and developing solutions across a number of sectors and has addressed most key environmental issues, in line with EU environmental policy priorities.