MEPs to prioritise environment and climate action in next long-term budget

Following Parliament’s adoption of its position on the EU’s long-term budget (2021-2027 multiannual financial framework – MFF), MEPs are this week setting out their position on the scope and the priorities for investing in areas which are crucial for future growth. Financing green objectives through the LIFE programme The proposal for the LIFE programme for 2021-2027 financing of environmental and climate objectives was approved by 580 votes to 41 against, and 45 abstentions. MEPs propose to double funding for the LIFE programme compared to the last 7-year period. The total financial envelope foreseen is €6.44 billion in 2018 prices (€7.27 billion euros in current prices compared to the Commission’s proposal of €5.45 billion). The EU programme for the environment and climate action will contribute to mainstreaming climate action and to reaching an overall target of at least 25% of the EU’s budget expenditure supporting climate objectives over the 2021-2027 period. Research, defence, space, digital and CEF programmes to be put to the vote later this week MEPs will debate and vote on the scope and priorities for Horizon Europe (research), the EU Defence Fund, the EU Space Programme, Digital Europe and trans-European networks under the Connecting Europe Facility.