Environmental innovation projects to receive 76 million euro from EU

Brussels, 13 Sep 2004

The European Commission has approved funding for 109 environmental innovation projects in 18 Member States. The projects will receive a total of 76 million euro from EU funds under the LIFE Environment programme.

Each project will apply novel technologies to tackle environmental problems. 'There are ever more efficient and more creative environmental technologies out there, which greatly minimise negative impacts of our activities,' said EU Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström. 'LIFE Environment supports the development of new methods to implement EU environmental legislation. With that, it contributes to a healthier environment and a better quality of life for us all.'

EU funding will cover approximately 33 per cent of project costs, the remainder coming from the projects' beneficiaries and partners.

Integrated product policy, the subject of 29 projects, is to receive the most funding during 2004. Some 18 of these projects target integrated environmental management audit systems, while the remainder deal with eco-design, eco-efficiency, eco-labelling and green financial products.

Other projects address the environmental impact of economic activities, integrated environmental considerations (urban environment, air quality and noise abatement), coastal zone management, land-use development, sustainable tourism, management of water resources and the prevention, recycling and sound management of waste.

While 18 EU Member States will receive funding for projects, Italy will receive the most, having had 28 projects approved. This figure is significantly higher than any other participating country - France has the second highest number of projects with 12. A total of ten projects will be conducted in the new EU Member States.

For further information on the LIFE programme, please consult the following web address:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/li fe/home.htm

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