COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION (EU) 2018/210

of 12 February 2018

on the adoption of the LIFE multiannual work programme for 2018-2020

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EU) No 1293/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the establishment of a Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE) and repealing Regulation (EC) No 614/2007 (1), and in particular Article 24(1) thereof,

Having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (2), and in particular Article 84(2) thereof,

After consulting the LIFE Committee for Environment and Climate Action,

Whereas:

In order to ensure implementation of the LIFE programme, it is necessary to adopt a multiannual work programme for 2018-2020.

In order to set a framework for the implementation of the two LIFE sub-programmes, the multiannual work programme for 2018-2020 should specify the indicative allocation of funds between priority areas and types of funding, the project topics implementing the thematic priorities set out in Annex III to Regulation (EU) No 1293/2013, the technical selection methodology, the criteria for the attribution of grants and indicative timetables for the calls for proposals.

The multiannual work programme for 2018-2020 should also contain qualitative and quantitative outcomes, indicators and targets for each priority area and type of projects, in accordance with the performance indicators and specific objectives for each priority area, with a view to facilitate the evaluation of the results and impact of the programme.

The two innovative financial instruments identified as appropriate tools for funding projects, in accordance with Article 17(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1293/2013 and trialled throughout the LIFE multiannual work programme for 2014-2017 demonstrated their potential to leverage funding from investors in the field of biodiversity and climate change mitigation and adaptation, thus addressing current financial barriers to the uptake of projects in those areas. These pilots should therefore be continued.

In view of the experience gained by the European Investment Bank (EIB), as well as the geographical coverage of the EIB which enables it to reach potential beneficiaries across the Union, the implementation of the Natural Capital Financing Facility and of the Private Financing for Energy Efficiency Instrument, funded through contributions from the LIFE programme, should be remain entrusted to that institution.

In order to ensure a seamless implementation of Regulation (EU) No 1293/2013, this Decision should apply as of the day following that of the end of the applicability of the LIFE multiannual work programme for 2014-2017,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The multiannual work programme

The LIFE multiannual work programme for 2018-2020, as set out in the Annex, is adopted.

Article 2

Union contribution to the multiannual work programme

The maximum contribution to the LIFE multiannual work programme for 2018-2020 is set at EUR 1 657 063 000 and shall be used to finance the relevant sub-programmes and priority areas as follows:

EUR 20 076 000 for related support expenditure (including the amount of EUR 2 332 160 of the contribution to the Executive Agency budget from the sub-programme for Climate Action).

EUR 3 000 000 for the European Solidarity Corps — Contribution from the LIFE sub-programme for Environment;

An overall amount of EUR 1 243 817 750 for the sub-programme for Environment which shall be divided as follows:

EUR 1 500 000 for the European Solidarity Corps — Contribution from the LIFE sub-programme for Climate Action;

An overall amount of EUR 413 245 250 for the sub-programme for Climate Action which shall be divided as follows:

Article 3

Financial instruments

1. The following financial instrument, as described in the Annex, shall receive contributions pursuant to Article 17(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1293/2013:

2. The implementation of the contribution to the Private Financing for Energy Efficiency Instrument and the Natural Capital Financing Facility shall be entrusted to the European Investment Bank.

Article 4

This Decision shall apply from 1 January 2018.

This Decision shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

(1) OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 185.

(2) OJ L 298, 26.10.2012, p. 1.

ANNEX

1. INTRODUCTION

According to Article 3 of Regulation (EU) No 1293/2013 (hereinafter ‘LIFE Regulation’), the LIFE programme pursues the following general objectives:

— to contribute to the shift towards a resource-efficient, low-carbon and climate- resilient economy, to the protection and improvement of the quality of the environment and to halting and reversing biodiversity loss, including the support of the Natura 2000 network and tackling the degradation of ecosystems,

— to improve the development, implementation and enforcement of Union environmental and climate policy and legislation, and to act as a catalyst for, and promote, the integration and mainstreaming of environmental and climate objectives into other Union policies and public and private sector practice, including by increasing the public and private sector's capacity,

— to support better environmental and climate governance at all levels, including better involvement of civil society, NGOs and local actors, and

— to support the implementation of the 7th Environment Action Programme.

The present, second LIFE multiannual work programme (MAWP) takes into account the experience gained in the period 2014 to 2017 and, in particular, the recommendations made in the mid-term evaluation (1), which are mainly related to

1. the simplification of the application and reporting processes;

2. the replication of project results;

3. the improvement of the communication strategy.

The simplification measures related to the application process are an integral part of the contents of the present LIFE MAWP (see Section 5.1.1.1 below). The need for continuation, replication and/or transfer of project results is given more emphasis in the Award phase (see Section 5.1.1.2 below) and will receive more support through procurement. The simplification of reporting will be targeted through project management procedures and by giving beneficiaries access to an on-line data base facilitating the collection of the data related to the key project indicators. The improvement of the communication strategy is achieved through procurement. These measures are thus not addressed in detail in the present LIFE MAWP.

The present LIFE MAWP also takes up recent developments, in EU policy, such as the circular economy action plan (2) and the Action plan on nature, people and the economy (3), and shall serve as a bridge to future funding for ‘sustainability’ as outlined in the Reflection paper on the future of EU finances (4). The following changes have been included:

As regards the sub-programme for Environment:

— reduction of the number of project topics (from 87 to 42) and more pronounced focus to increase the steer of applicants to EU policy priorities while increasing the chances for projects in certain sub-areas like biodiversity and circular economy, but also projects with a strong and direct impact on the health of the majority of European citizens,

— reorientation of the governance and information project topics to focus more on specific awareness raising and governance-related issues.

As regards both sub-programmes:

— further enhancement of the results-orientation by introducing the requirement to produce measurable effects on the environment or climate change under all priority areas,

— encouragement of further engagement of private entities by highlighting the advantages of close-to-market approaches as a tool for ensuring sustainability of the project results. Support actions that help to develop investment-ready economically and environmentally viable projects that mobilise additional private and public financial resources for scale-up and replication of results,

— simplification of the grant management procedures, in particular by testing a two-stage application procedure for pilot, demonstration, best practice and information, awareness and dissemination projects, as suggested in the mid-term evaluation of the LIFE programme.

The mid-term evaluation of the LIFE programme, and the European Parliament (with regard to EU spending) (5) confirmed the need and importance of measurable effects of projects on the ground. The LIFE programme contains performance indicators and the multiannual work programmes contain quantitative (i.e. output) and qualitative outcome indicators in line with these. To be able to report on these indicators on programme level, beneficiaries need to forecast and measure the environmental, climate, and governance and information, i.e. societal, effects at project level in relation to specific output and outcome indicators (6). To ensure that these effects are lasting, i.e. sustainable in time, they also need to establish robust mechanisms to ensure that projects have effects beyond the original project area by extension and replication. The clear and coherent explanation of how the continuation, replication and/or transfer of projects' activities and effects will be ensured, therefore becomes an even more decisive award criterion in the evaluation of project proposals. By their nature, successfully demonstrated close-to market solutions to environmental and climate change challenges have a particularly high chance to be continued, replicated and/or transferred. Proposals credibly and coherently presenting a strategy to reach marketability by the end of the project, will therefore score high under this criterion.

The mid-term evaluation analysed in line with Article 25 of the LIFE Regulation and confirmed the ability of the LIFE programme to promote synergies within the programme. The reflection papers on the future of EU Finances (7) emphasise the importance of the social dimension in European policies. For the LIFE programme this should provide an impetus to seek even more synergies among the environmental, economic and social dimensions of sustainable development. Therefore, well-conceived multi-purpose approaches, pursuing, besides their primary environmental or climate action objectives, e.g. social integration or economic growth, will receive a bonus (8). For instance, nature and biodiversity protection activities and activities aimed at enhancing the circular economy, hold a potential to contribute to community building and social integration. The circular economy can face challenges to demonstrate economic viability, and in many cases it is important that the social dimension (for example for job market integration of disadvantaged individuals) is taken into account.

The LIFE programme allows for ‘other projects’ and ‘other activities’. This flexibility can be used to experiment with new approaches, new project types and support services for existing projects, and/or stakeholders not attracted by the traditional project formats. For example, the gap between the successful application of environment or climate action solutions in LIFE projects and their actual access to the market could often be bridged, if the most promising LIFE projects were to receive specific support to access markets and potential investors. This could consist in a complementary project concentrating on market access support, project-specific business management and fund acquisition coaching, support for building up and/or collaborating within circular economy clusters or annual prizes for projects with a particularly high EU added value. Should the new Financial Regulation allow for more flexibility regarding the attribution of lump sums for specific outcomes, this might also be used for capacity building towards ‘bankability’ of investment projects and market access.

The LIFE programme is managed by the Commission services themselves and by the Executive Agency (EA) to which this task has been delegated in direct management. The EA acts within the limits of the delegation according to the Commission Decision C(2013) 9414 or any Commission Decision replacing it and under the supervision of the Commission services. The overall responsibility for the programme remains with the Commission. External experts may be contracted to support the Commission services and/or the EA in their work.

In application of the principle of complementarity with other European funding programmes set out in recitals 5, 11 and 13 and Article 8 of the LIFE Regulation, the implementation of the MAWP will ensure consistency and synergies, and avoid overlap with other Union policies and financial instruments as far as possible, seeking complementarity to Horizon 2020 (9), the Union's research and innovation programme for 2014-2020, and with its work programmes (10). This will mainly be achieved through the eligibility criteria for the different project types and orientations in the application guidelines accompanying the calls (11), seeking complementarity to Horizon 2020. Double funding will be avoided through cross-checking during the selection phase and through ex post verifications. Projects focused on research or the construction of large infrastructure, which are covered by other EU programmes, are excluded from funding through the LIFE programme.

The structure of the MAWP follows the structure set out in Article 24(2) of the LIFE Regulation and only addresses the sub-programmes Environment and Climate Action separately, where necessary.

It covers the period from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2020.

1.1. The sub-programme for Environment

The sub-programme for Environment covers the priority areas Environment and Resource Efficiency, Nature and Biodiversity and Environmental Governance and Information (Articles 9 to 12 of the LIFE Regulation). Each of the priority areas covers several thematic priorities, listed in Annex III to the LIFE Regulation.

The present MAWP 2018-2020 defines project topics implementing the thematic priorities.

1.2. The sub-programme for Climate Action

The sub-programme for Climate Action covers climate change mitigation, adaptation and governance and communication priority areas (Articles 13-16 of the LIFE Regulation). Each priority area contains a number of policy areas set out in Section 4 below, which are considered of particular interest throughout the period covered by the present multiannual work programme.

2. ALLOCATION OF FUNDS BETWEEN PRIORITY AREAS AND BETWEEN DIFFERENT TYPES OF FUNDING — ARTICLE 24(2)(a)

According to Article 4 of the LIFE Regulation, the overall budgetary envelope for the LIFE programme for the period 2014-2020 is EUR 3 456 655 000, 75 % of which is attributed to the sub-programme Environment (EUR 2 592 491 250), and 25 % of which is attributed to the sub-programme Climate Action (EUR 864 163 750).

In the years 2014-2017, 1 349 million EUR was allocated to the Environment Sub-programme and 446 million EUR to the Climate Action sub-programme. 1 657 million EUR remains available for the years 2018-2020.

The LIFE Regulation also fixes the minimum percentage of the total budget to be reserved for projects (81 %, Article 17(4) of the LIFE Regulation) and the maximum percentage of the budgetary resources allocated to projects supported by way of action grants that may be allocated to integrated projects (30 %, Article 17(5) of the LIFE Regulation).

Article 4 of the LIFE Regulation is under revision to include a contribution of EUR 4 500 000 to the European Solidarity Corps for projects engaging young volunteers across the EU in environmental protection and climate action (12).

LIFE projects shall be funded by action grants or, where appropriate, by financial instruments (Article 17(4) of the LIFE Regulation).

According to Article 24(2)(a) of the LIFE Regulation, this MAWP specifies the amounts to be allocated per priority area and funding type.

Overall allocation by type of funding for both sub-programmes

Budget 2018-2020 in million EUR Projects and operating grants Action grants 1 263,44 Operating grants 36,00 Financial instruments 75,00 Public procurement 252,70 Support expenditure 29,92 Overall total 1 657,06





Overall allocation by priority area 2018-2020

Priority areas Environment and Resource efficiency Nature and Biodiversity Environmental Governance and Information European Solidarity Corps Climate Change Mitigation Climate Change Adaptation Climate Governance and Information Total per area (in million EUR) 444,81 632,55 143,38 4,50 230,50 123,85 47,55 Sub-total 1 627,14 Support expenditure (ATA) 29,92 Overall total 1 657,06

The allocations per priority area and funding type are of indicative nature. For action grants, the final allocation will depend on the actual number of fundable project proposals under each priority area. Budgetary allocations for and between financial instruments may be adapted during the course of the LIFE programme in response to actual uptake. In line with the Financial Regulation (13), within the thresholds established by the LIFE Regulation, reallocations between priority areas may not exceed 5 % of the total allocation for the priority areas concerned.

2.1. The sub-programme for Environment

For the duration of the present MAWP, a budget of 1 243,81 million (14) is allocated to the sub-programme for Environment.

A specific percentage of the budgetary resources allocated to projects supported by way of action grants under the sub-programme for Environment are allocated to projects supporting the conservation of nature and biodiversity, including related information and governance, technical assistance and preparatory projects (Article 9(3) of the LIFE Regulation) (15). The rest of the budget allocated to projects will be allocated to projects under the priority areas environment and resource efficiency and environmental governance and information.

Indicative allocation by type of funding under the sub-programme for Environment

Budget 2018-2020 in million EUR Action grants (*1) — Capacity-building projects 7,75 — Technical assistance projects 2,95 — Other action grants 992,37 Financial instrument (*2) Natural Capital Financing Facility (NCFF) p.m. Operating grants 27,00 Public procurement 193,67 Support expenditure (*3) 20,07 Overall total 1 243,81

The allocations per priority area and funding type are of indicative nature.

Budgetary allocations for and between financial instruments may be adapted during the course of the LIFE programme in response to actual uptake. Within the thresholds established by the LIFE Regulation, reallocations between priority areas may not exceed 5 % of the total allocation for the priority areas concerned.

2.2. The sub-programme for Climate Action

For this multiannual work programme the budget for the sub-programme for Climate Action is EUR 413,25 million. The allocation to priority areas is indicative and subject to the actual number of proposals for action grants under each priority area, as well as the related market uptake under the Private Financing for Energy Efficiency (unique to this sub-programme) and Natural Capital Financing Facility financial instruments.

Indicative allocation by type of funding under the sub-programme for Climate Action

Budget 2018-2020 in million EUR Action grants (*4) Capacity-building projects 3,00 Technical assistance projects 0,78 Other action grants 256,59 Financial instruments (*5) Private Financing for Energy Efficiency (PF4EE) 75,0 Natural Capital Financing Facility (NCFF) p.m. Operating grants 9,00 Public procurement 59,03 Support expenditure (*6) 9,85 Overall total 413,25

3. PROJECT TOPICS IMPLEMENTING THE THEMATIC PRIORITIES SET OUT IN ANNEX III FOR THE SUB-PROGRAMME FOR ENVIRONMENT (ARTICLE 24(2)(b) OF THE LIFE REGULATION)

In line with recital 36 and Article 24 of the LIFE Regulation, the MAWP contains a non-exhaustive list of project topics implementing the thematic priorities, focussing efforts on concrete environmental and related governance and information policy priorities and areas for action under the sub-programme Environment. In line with recital 22 of the LIFE Regulation, when evaluating Union added value of projects under the sub-programme Environment, the Commission should pay particular attention to their contribution to the thematic priorities implemented through the project topics. Thus the project topics are a tool for giving a bonus to projects addressing strategically important policy areas, while remaining open to sound proposals in other areas and the incorporation of new ideas to react to new challenges.

A specific percentage of the resources allocated to projects supported by action grants will be earmarked for projects supporting the conservation of nature and biodiversity (16). The increased earmarking compared to the LIFE+ Regulation limits the budget available for projects in other thematic priorities under the sub-programme Environment and it is thus a further reason to better focus the use of the funds in these areas.

It should be noted that funding of projects on topics not included in this list is not excluded. High quality projects that fulfil the applicable eligibility and selection criteria may still be awarded funding. Thus, laying down this list for the duration of the MAWP ensures both the necessary flexibility to achieve the LIFE programme objectives and the necessary stability for potential applicants to plan, prepare and submit proposals.

3.1. Priority area Environment and Resource Efficiency

Pursuant to Article 10(a) of the LIFE Regulation, the project topics corresponding to this priority area and the related thematic priorities listed in Annex III to the LIFE Regulation, shall pursue, in particular, the specific objective ‘to develop, test and demonstrate policy or management approaches, best practices and solutions, including development and demonstration of innovative technologies, to environmental challenges, suitable for being replicated, transferred or mainstreamed, including with respect to the link between the environment and health, and in support of resource efficiency-related policy and legislation, including the Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe’. Innovative management approaches include, in particular, joint experimentation of public, private and civil society actors along value chains expected to achieve direct and measurable positive environmental impacts. All projects under this priority area shall therefore be either pilot or demonstrative projects within the meaning of Article 18(a) and (b) of the LIFE Regulation, but shall not focus on research. Limited applied research is permitted as part of the preparatory and/or monitoring actions. With regard to demonstrative projects under this priority area and covered by one of the project topics listed below, priority shall be given to projects that put into practice, test, evaluate and disseminate actions, methodologies or approaches that are new or unknown Union-wide.

The performance of the LIFE programme as regards its objectives under this priority area related to pilot and demonstration projects, and in particular its contribution to the shift towards a resource-efficient economy and to the protection and improvement of the quality of the environment, is measured against the environmental improvements attributable to LIFE projects. Therefore, all LIFE projects under this priority area shall include actions that result in direct and measurable effects on the environment during the project duration.

LIFE Regulation Annex III (a) Thematic priorities for Water, including the marine environment : activities for the implementation of the specific objectives for water set out in the Roadmap for a Resource-Efficient Europe and the 7th Environment Action Programme, in particular: (i) integrated approaches for the implementation of Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (17); (ii) activities for the implementation of the Directive 2007/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (18); (iii) activities for the implementation of the programme of measures of the Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (19) with a view to achieving good environmental status of marine waters; (iv) activities to ensure safe and efficient use of water resources, improving quantitative water management, preserving a high level of water quality and avoiding misuse and deterioration of water resources.

Addressing water quality, floods and drought management in a cost efficient way is a serious challenge within the EU. Responding to the challenges and opportunities in the water sector requires a holistic approach across a number of actors. In line with the implementation of the Water Framework Directive, the Flood Directive and the priorities of the European Innovation Partnership on Water, projects should focus on developing and particularly implementing actions which can help Member States move to genuinely integrated water resource management, promoting ecosystem-based approaches where relevant. In the context of actions targeted at the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, particular emphasis should be placed on emerging pressures and impacts, as well as fostering better integrated coastal management and maritime spatial planning. With respect to the water industry, the technologies and processes used to ensure the provision of water services (production of drinking water or waste water treatment) are reaching maturity. In line with the priority areas of the European Innovation Partnership on Water, the current challenge is two-fold: (i) ensuring proper implementation in a way which yields cost-effective, resource efficient and legally compliant results; and (ii) ensuring an ability to deal with emerging issues in this field.

Priority will therefore be given to the following project topics:

Water, floods and drought — Annex III, section A, points (a)(i)-(ii)

1. Implementation of flood and/or drought risk management actions by applying at least one of the following: — nature-based solutions consisting in natural water retention measures that increase infiltration and storage of water and remove pollutants through natural or ‘natural-like’ processes including re-naturalisation of river, lake, estuary and coastal morphology and/or re-creation of associated habitats including flood and marsh plains, — prevention and protection tools and techniques for support of policy, land use planning, risk reduction, post-event resilience and emergency management, and/or — integrated risk assessment and management approaches taking into account social vulnerability and aiming at improved resilience while ensuring social acceptance.

2. Projects addressing hydro morphological pressures identified in River Basin Management Plans and originating from land or water uses in order to achieve good water status or potential as required by the Water Framework Directive objectives.

3. Integrated management of nutrients and organic pollution of human and/or agricultural origin by directly removing pollution. The actions foreseen should be identified as a result of a comprehensive gap analysis (20) defining the measures needed on a river basin scale or catchment scale to allow for the achievement of the Water Framework Directive and Marine Strategy Framework Directive requirements, taking into account what has been delivered via the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (21), Nitrates Directive (22), Bathing Waters Directive (23) and Groundwater Directive (24) requirements.

4. Reduction of pressures from chemical pollutants in the water environment by reducing emissions of priority substances and other chemicals identified as river basin specific pollutants at source, through the use of appropriate substitutes (25) or alternative technologies.

5. Implementation of water saving measures in order to reduce the quantitative and qualitative pressures on water bodies in water-stressed basins as identified in the relevant River Basin Management Plan.

Marine and coastal management — Annex III, section A, point (a)(iii)

1. Application of tools, technologies or practices to ensure the sustainability of human activities related to the marine environment, including by reducing the pressure of human activities on the marine environment, and addressing at least one of the following topics of high concern: — underwater noise, — disturbance of the sea floor, — deep sea mining, — fishing, — agriculture, and/or — navigation.

2. Projects aiming at preventing and reducing marine litter or contaminants, addressing them at the source at land and/or in the seas.

Water Industry — Annex III, section A, point (a)(iv)

1. Application of technologies for drinking water and urban waste water treatment systems, through the use of resource efficient processes for the provision of water services (26), onsite procedures and/or control processes, to diminish or eliminate discharges of emerging pollutants and/or pathogens as part of wastewater treatment effluents.

2. Application of tools ensuring the resource efficient provision of water services compliant with the Drinking Water Directive and the Urban Waste Water Directive to population living in rural areas (27).

3. Improvement of the efficiency and effectiveness of solutions and/or treatment options regarding recycled/reclaimed water, implementing one or more of the following: — concepts for (alternative) water supply, wastewater treatment, reuse, recovery and recycling of resources (28), — source control methods and cost-effective on-site technologies for discharges of emerging pollutants and pathogens into the wastewater treatment system, — water treatment innovation hubs, in regions that currently lack of appropriate sewer systems and treatment and sanitation facilities, applying smart technologies and decentralised systems with a focus on alternative water sources, — systematic approaches to avoid loss of water, energy and resources in industrial production and/or water and wastewater infrastructure.

LIFE Regulation Annex III (b) Thematic priorities for Waste : activities for the implementation of the specific objectives for waste set out in the Roadmap for a Resource-Efficient Europe and the 7th Environment Action Programme, in particular: (i) integrated approaches for the implementation of waste plans and programmes; (ii) activities for the implementation and development of Union waste legislation, with particular emphasis on the first steps of the Union waste hierarchy (prevention, re-use and recycling); (iii) activities for resource efficiency and lifecycle impact of products, consumption patterns and dematerialisation of the economy.

With respect to waste, the Roadmap for a Resource-Efficient Europe and the 7th Environmental Action Programme aim at reaching the following overall goals by 2020:

— to reduce waste generated,

— to maximise recycling and re-use,

— to limit incineration to non-recyclable materials, and

— to limit landfilling to non-recyclable and non-recoverable waste.

Priority will therefore be given to the following project topics:

Implementation of waste legislation — Annex III, section A, points (b)(i)-(ii)

1. Implementation of methods for management (separate collection, sorting and recycling) of waste in Outermost Regions of the EU (29) or on islands (30) with a resident population of less than 250 000 inhabitants (31).

2. Implementation of innovative solutions targeting one of the following: — separate collection and recycling of waste electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) and/or batteries and accumulators or recycling of WEEE and/or batteries and accumulators, — dismantling and recycling of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs), — selective deconstruction of construction works or buildings resulting in value-added recycled (32) materials or products, — sorting and value-added recycling of plastics (33), — separate collection and recycling of bio-waste, and/or — recycling of composite materials to recover critical raw materials. Explanatory note: Complementary to these innovative solutions and the LIFE project, the other relevant waste management operations in line with the waste hierarchy should also be pursued during and beyond the project period.

3. Identification (34) and separation of hazardous substances contained in wastes, to enable value-added recycling (35) of the treated waste and safe disposal of the hazardous substances within the framework of the project.

Waste and Resource efficiency — Annex III, section A, point (b)(iii)

1. Implementation of new business and/or consumption models and/or approaches to support resource efficiency, in the priority industrial sectors as set out in the Roadmap for a Resource Efficient Europe (36) and the EU Action Plan for the Circular Economy (37), focusing on product durability, reuse, repair and recycling and alternative processes to the sale of products. Already during the project duration, the implementation of the new business models and approaches should — result in a reduction in resource use (i.e. material use, energy and/or water use, depending on the main effects), and — support transformation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (38), and/or — integrate the social dimension in the business model. Explanatory note: Alternative processes include but are not limited to sharing or leasing, remanufacturing, industrial symbiosis, optimising food chains, transport and mobility, sustainable buildings and construction/demolition.

LIFE Regulation Annex III (c) Thematic priorities for Resource Efficiency, including soil and forests, and green and circular economy : activities for the implementation of the Roadmap for a Resource-Efficient Europe and of the 7th Environment Action Programme that are not covered by other thematic priorities referred to in this Annex, in particular: (i) activities for industrial symbiosis and knowledge transfer, and development of new models for the shift towards a circular and green economy; (ii) activities for the Soil Thematic Strategy (Commission Communication of 22 September 2006 entitled ‘Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection’) with special emphasis on mitigation and compensation of soil sealing, and improved land use; (iii) activities for forest monitoring and information systems, and to prevent forest fires.

Projects under the thematic priorities for Resource Efficiency, including soil and forests, and green and circular economy will focus on the implementation of the Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe, the EU action plan for the Circular Economy (39), the Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection (40) and the 2013 EU Forest Strategy (41).

With respect to industrial symbiosis, knowledge transfer and the shift towards a circular and green economy, particular attention should be given to circular/resource efficient, environmentally sound performance of businesses, consumer policy, new business and consumption models, and value chains. Public support to circular economy has been so far biased toward ‘recycling’, while projects for reuse, repair and remanufacturing are underrepresented (42). If implemented along (local) value chains the circular economy has a big potential to create positive social effects for example with respect to job market integration of underprivileged individuals and formalising activities in the shadow economy. Projects addressing the circular economy are invited to consider these aspects alongside the direct measurable environmental impact. These value chains will address the priority sectors, and thus also promote the implementation of the upcoming ‘Strategy on Plastics in the Circular Economy’ (43).

With regard to soil protection, there is a need to improve soil management and, in particular, to limit and mitigate soil sealing. Soil-related data collected in the project should be provided to the relevant regional, national and/or EU databases.

Projects targeting forests are expected to contribute to forest monitoring by providing any relevant data they may generate to current or future European forest information systems. On the other hand, there is a need to find cost-efficient close-to-nature or similar alternative silvicultural approaches to planted even-aged and single-species stands in order to further boost biodiversity and resilience. Particular efforts should be made to prevent the outbreak of forest fires, to minimise the conditions for their progression, and to increase overall forest resilience, especially in protected areas such as the Natura 2000 sites which hold a large proportion of forests and represent the backbone of the EU nature protection action.

Priority will therefore be given to the following project topics:

Resource Efficiency, green and circular economy — Annex III, section A, point (c)(i)

Implementation of the circular economy concept targeting at least one of the priority sectors of the EU Action Plan for the Circular Economy (44) and ensuring the use of high quality secondary resources, scrap materials and/or wastes within a value chain or different value chains. Already during the project duration, the implementation of the circular economy should:

— support transformation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and/or

— integrate the social dimension in the value chain(s).

Soil — Annex III, section A, point (c)(ii)

1. Implementation of actions in line with the Soil Sealing Guidelines (45) with improved efficiency compared to market solutions with a view to achieving region- or nationwide spatial development without further land take or soil sealing. Such actions shall consist in at least one of the following: — limitation and/or other remediation actions focused on contaminated sites, — mitigation of soil sealing, and/or — compensation for soil sealing.

2. Implementation of integrated sustainable soil management practices in line with the Voluntary Guidelines for Soil Sustainable Management (46) through regional, national or transnational networks or organisations.

Forests — Annex III, section A, point (c)(iii)

Besides the indicator data related to the forest habitats and ecosystems and their services, LIFE projects targeting forests should also provide data on the relevant indicators under criteria 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the Updated Pan-European Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management (47).

1. Effective and efficient application of tools, methodologies, techniques, technologies and equipment to implement close-to-nature forest management approaches and similar silvicultural alternatives (48) to more intensive (49) forest management and/or management approaches based on planted even-aged and single-species stands, with a cost-effectiveness comparable to that of medium- or large-scale operations used in an equivalent more intensive and/or even-aged and single-species forest management context (50). Explanatory note: ‘Close-to-nature forest management’ (sometimes also referred to as ‘ecologically sound forestry’ or ‘continuous cover forestry’) is characterised by practices which try to emulate natural processes and which aim to combine the economic use of forests with nature conservation. The results are actively managed but multi-storeyed and rich mixed forests which are relatively close to natural forests. The concept includes active forest management with timber harvest and thus should not be mistaken for approaches explicitly intending to preserve natural processes e.g. in wilderness areas. The practices typically used may vary slightly from one country to another but would be expected to include the following elements use of native or site-adapted tree species, natural regeneration, limited machine operation, inclusion of nature conservation measures, exclusion of fertilisation or pesticide use, long rotation length, and single stem or group harvesting (51).

2. Testing and implementing methods (52) for converting existing highly fire-prone forests to more resilient stands with a lower fuel build-up and fire progression risk, relying on silvicultural and land management practices that favour semi-natural mixed or broad-leaved forests, exclude overexploitation of related water bodies, and/or ensure sustainable land use reducing the fire risk and/or fire intensity.

LIFE Regulation Annex III (d) Thematic priorities for Environment and Health, including chemicals and noise : support activities for the implementation of the specific objectives for environment and health set out in the 7th Environment Action Programme, in particular: (i) support activities for the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council (53) (REACH) and Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (54) (Biocidal Products Regulation) to ensure a safer, more sustainable or economical use of chemicals (including nanomaterials); (ii) support activities to facilitate the implementation of Directive 2002/49/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (55) (Noise Directive) in order to achieve noise levels that do not give rise to significant negative impacts on and risks to human health; (iii) support activities for avoiding major accidents in particular facilitating the implementation of Directive 2012/18/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (56) (Seveso III Directive).

With regard to environment and health, new methods to reduce the impact of chemicals, noise and industrial accidents on the environment and human health should be explored.

Priority will therefore be given to the following project topics:

Chemicals — Annex III, section A, point (d)(i)

Reduction of the impact on the environment or human health, of at least one of the following:

— substances identified as hazardous to human health or to the environment under the Regulation on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP) (57),

— combination effects of chemicals, including endocrine disruptors,

— nanomaterials,

— biocidal products and/or pesticides.

This shall be reached through one or more of the following:

— safer or more sustainable use,

— minimisation of exposure to toxic chemicals in products or in the environment, and/or

— substitution with safer substances or with non-chemical solutions.

Noise — Annex III, section A, point (d)(ii)

Under this heading, priority will be given to projects in urban areas in order to improve the situation for a maximum number of persons.

Reduction of noise from roads inside densely populated urban areas by means of using low-noise surfaces and/or tyres having life cycle costs comparable to those of standard surfaces and/or tyres while achieving a substantial noise reduction.

Industrial accidents — Annex III, section A, point (e)(iii)

Facilitation of the implementation of the Seveso III Directive (Directive 2012/18/EU) on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances through deployment of particularly cost-effective methodological tools for carrying out human health and environmental risk mapping, and for addressing domino effects. Projects shall foresee the demonstrative application of these tools by different duty holders and implement risk preventing or reducing measures on their basis.

LIFE Regulation Annex III (e) Thematic priorities for Air quality and emissions, including urban environment : support activities for the implementation of the specific objectives for air and emissions in the Roadmap for a Resource-Efficient Europe and the 7th Environment Action Programme, in particular: (i) integrated approaches to the implementation of air quality legislation; (ii) support activities to facilitate compliance with Union air quality and related air emissions standards including Directive 2001/81/EC of the European Parliament and the Council (58) (National Emissions Ceilings Directive); (iii) support activities for the enhanced implementation of Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (59) (Industrial Emissions Directive) with a special emphasis on improving BAT definition and implementation process, ensuring easy public access to information and enhancing the contribution of the IED to innovation.

The thematic priority ‘air quality and emissions including urban environment’ focusses on the implementation of air quality legislation and a comprehensive approach to urban environmental problems. Air pollution remains the most serious environmental health problem in Europe, with a mortality rate more than 10 times that from traffic accidents, and also having a significant impact on ecosystems (e.g. 70 % of the EU's Natura 2000 sites suffer from eutrophication as a result of air pollution). It should be addressed in line with the forthcoming EU Air Quality Strategy for the period up to 2030. Projects should refer to PM and/or NO2, not to CO2. If reducing emissions of CO2 is the primary objective, the project should be submitted under the sub-programme for Climate Action.

The Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) is a key instrument for pollution prevention and control from large point sources. Experience with implementation of the IED (and its predecessor, the Directive on integrated pollution prevention and control IPPC) has allowed for identifying additional needs in terms of public information and the introduction of emerging techniques

Priority will therefore be given to the following project topics:

Air quality legislation and the NEC Directive — Annex III, section A, points (e)(i)-(ii)

Where not explicitly stated otherwise, air quality projects should generally focus on urban areas in order to cover as many people as possible.

1. Air quality improvement and emission reduction of particulate matter (PM) in areas with high use of solid fuel like biomass, coal, and peat for domestic heating. Such projects shall implement one or more of the following: — technical (60), — management, — regulatory, and/or — incentive-based solutions (61).

2. Sustainable road transport mobility aiming at emissions of air pollutants, the reduction of which is essential for helping meet air quality standards, focussing on one or more of the following: — cleaner real world driving, — cleaner or electric two- or three-wheelers and/or analysis for and implementation on a test scale of related infrastructure needs, — the use of electric or super low emission vehicles (62), — the use of alternative fuels, — innovative retrofit programmes for vehicles (63), — alternative drive train technology (64), — high-impact traffic access systems (such as Low Emission Zones and road pricing schemes) through advanced access criteria and/or labels, and/or — the use of innovative logistic platforms (65).

3. Sustainable aviation and non-road mobile machinery (NRMM) mobility aiming at reducing emissions, notably from existing NRMM not covered (yet) by Regulation (EU) 2016/1628 of the European Parliament and of the Council (66).

4. Reduction of ammonia, methane and PM emissions from agriculture in support of the implementation of the upgraded UNECE Code of Good Practice for reducing emissions from agriculture (67).

Industrial Emissions Directive — Annex III, section A, points (e)(iii)

Application of pollution prevention and abatement techniques referred to in the Industrial Emissions Directive as emerging techniques.

Urban environment — Annex III, section A, point (e)

Implementation of integrated urban policies and regulatory approaches for sustainable planning and design and/or for supporting innovative technical solutions to improve at least one of the following aspects:

— urban public transport and mobility,

— energy or resource efficiency or no-/low-emission (68) renewable energy or materials solutions (69),

— local food production, and/or

— the condition of urban ecosystems and their services (70).

3.2. Priority area Nature and Biodiversity

Pursuant to Article 11(a) of the LIFE Regulation, the project topics corresponding to this priority area and the related thematic priorities listed in Annex III to the LIFE Regulation, shall pursue the specific objective ‘to contribute to the development and implementation of Union policy and legislation in the area of nature and biodiversity, including the Union Biodiversity Strategy to 2020, and Council Directive 92/43/EEC (71) and Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (72), by applying, developing, testing and demonstrating approaches, best practices and solutions’.

LIFE has been a key tool supporting the implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives during the past 25 years and has been instrumental and in some cases crucial to ensure the establishment of the Natura 2000 network. The Nature Directives' fitness check (73) and the Action plan for nature, people, and the economy (74) underline the need to increase funding for this priority area, which is catered for by the Delegated Regulation amending Article 9 paragraph 4 of the LIFE Regulation. LIFE Nature and Biodiversity will continue to focus its financial resources on Natura 2000 to ensure full delivery of the commitments concerning target 1 of the Biodiversity strategy, and, at the same time, promote projects addressing targets 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the Biodiversity Strategy to 2020.

LIFE Nature and LIFE Biodiversity projects are intended to complement each other and, where relevant, other nature- and biodiversity-related thematic priorities, e.g. when a project targets Natura 2000, where relevant, it should also address invasive alien species. Thus, in order to avoid inconsistencies, principles applying under one of the thematic priorities also apply under the complementary one. If projects implementing Targets 2, 3, 4 and/or 5 of the Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 take place (even partly) in Natura 2000 sites, the measures proposed must be in line with the site's conservation objectives, the site's management plan or equivalent instruments and/or the Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) designation act. In addition, LIFE projects targeting forests should also provide data on the relevant indicators under criteria 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the Updated Pan-European Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management (75).

LIFE Regulation Annex III (a) Thematic priorities for Nature : activities for the implementation of Directives 92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC, in particular: (i) activities aimed at improving the conservation status of habitats and species, including marine habitats and species, and bird species, of Union interest; (ii) activities in support of the Natura 2000 network bio-geographical seminars; (iii) integrated approaches for the implementation of prioritised action frameworks.

The following project topics contributing to Target 1 of the Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 to fully implement the Birds and Habitats Directives are given priority:

1. Improvement of the conservation status of habitat types or species of Community Interest (76) under the EU Birds and Habitats directives, targeting Natura 2000 sites proposed or designated for these habitat types or species (77).

2. Projects aimed at improving the conservation status of habitat types or species of Community Interest, provided, their status is not ‘favourable/secure and not declining’ or ‘unknown’ according to the most recent overall assessments that Member States have provided at the relevant geographic level according to Article 17 of the Habitats Directive or to the most recent assessments according to Article 12 Birds Directive and EU-level bird assessments.

3. Implementing the marine component of the Habitats and Birds Directives and related provisions under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive descriptor 1, where such projects focus on one or several of the following actions: — completing and finalising national inventories for setting up the offshore marine Natura 2000 network of sites, — restoration and management of marine Natura 2000 sites, including the preparation and implementation of site management plans, — actions addressing species-, habitat- or site-related conflicts between marine conservation and fishermen or other ‘marine users’, as well as actions which combine conservation measures with a sustainable use of Natura 2000 sites, and/or — demonstrative or innovative approaches to assess or monitor the impact of human activities on critical marine habitats and species and their application as a tool to guide concrete conservation measures.

LIFE Regulation Annex III (b) Thematic priorities for Biodiversity : activities for the implementation of the Union Biodiversity Strategy to 2020, in particular: (i) activities aimed at contributing to the achievement of Target 2; (ii) activities aimed at contributing to the achievement of Targets 3, 4 and 5.

The following project topics focus on the implementation of Targets 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the Biodiversity Strategy to 2020, in as far as they primarily target the general and specific objectives pursuant to Articles 3 and 11of the LIFE Regulation and thus can be funded under the LIFE programme.

Priority will be given to the project topics listed below:

1. Development and implementation of Green Infrastructure (78) plans and actions improving the condition of ecosystems and the services they provide (79) and/or the connectivity between Natura 2000 sites and/or other protected areas. Development and application of Green Infrastructure-related widely replicable methods and/or techniques that effectively mitigate the negative impacts of energy or transport infrastructure on biodiversity by enhancing connectivity. These techniques and/or methods should be more cost-effective than qualitatively equivalent solutions already offered on the market, and, where relevant, lead to free shared solutions or the development of technical standards.

2. Development and application of tools aimed at integrating biodiversity into financial and business decisions so as to ensure, through the conservation and restoration of biodiversity carried out during the project, no net loss of biodiversity and/or enhanced income delivering ecosystem services (80).

3. Targeting threatened species or habitats that are not included in the annexes of the Habitats Directive but have a status of ‘endangered’ or worse in the European species (81) or habitats (82) Red Lists or, for those species not covered by the European Red Lists, in the IUCN Red List (83).

4. Addressing Invasive Alien Species (84) by testing and implementing the following three steps on an appropriate spatial scale within a comprehensive framework: — preventing the introduction of invasive alien species, in particular by tackling the priority pathways of their introduction, — establishing an early detection and rapid eradication system, and — eradicating, controlling or containing established invasive alien species. The projects should be set up to improve existing — or introduce new — technical, administrative and/or legal frameworks on the relevant level, in particular in relation to, but not limited to, the species included on the list of invasive alien species of Union concern pursuant to Article 4(1) of the Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council (85). Explanatory note: Where a step has already been addressed independently of the project or it is not possible to address it in the project context, the project actions shall at least be clearly situated in a broader framework that links all three steps.

3.3. Priority area Environmental Governance and Information

Pursuant to Article 12(a) of the LIFE Regulation, the project topics corresponding to this priority area and the related thematic priorities listed in Annex III to the LIFE Regulation, shall pursue the specific objective ‘to promote awareness raising on environmental matters, including generating public and stakeholder support of Union policymaking in the field of the environment, and to promote knowledge on sustainable development and new patterns for sustainable consumption.’

LIFE Regulation Annex III Priority area Environmental Governance and Information: (a) information, communication and awareness-raising campaigns in line with the priorities of the 7th Environment Action Programme; (b) activities in support of effective control process as well as measures to promote compliance in relation to Union environmental legislation, and in support of information systems and information tools on implementation of Union environmental legislation.

Information, communication and awareness-raising campaigns — Annex III, section C, point (a)

The geographical scope of awareness information, communication and awareness-raising campaigns will be taken into account in the assessment of the European added value of proposed projects.

Raising awareness on environmental problems, EU environmental policies, tools and/or legislation among the relevant target audiences, aiming to change their perceptions and fostering the adoption of environmentally friendly behaviours and practices and/or direct citizen's engagement. Applicants need to provide substantial evidence that a change of awareness levels (86) in the field(s) addressed by the project is a crucial factor supporting correct implementation and/or future development of EU environmental policies tools and/or legislation. The awareness-raising activities should have the widest coverage relevant for the specific issue targeted (87). The environmental problems, EU environmental policies, tools and/or legislation targeted should be directly linked to one or more of the themes listed below the following three priorities (88):

Green growth: — sustainable consumption with a focus on waste prevention, in particular plastic waste, food waste and marine litter, — transition to circular economy, in particular implementation of sustainable business models, sustainable production, products and services (89).

Connecting with citizens: — Natura 2000 and the benefits of the implementation of the European nature legislation, in line with the action plan on nature, people and the economy (90), — invasive alien species, — safe use of chemicals, — benefits of nature including green infrastructure and related ecosystem services.

Making it happen: — air quality in urban areas and its health effects, and/or — benefits of the implementation of water legislation.

Activities in support of effective control process as well as measures to promote compliance — Annex III, section C, point (b)

Information systems, quality of public administration and voluntary approaches

1. Improving environmental information systems operated by public authorities for electronically collecting, processing, storing and sharing environmental information, by developing and providing new or, where available, enhancing existing systems. Projects should improve the implementation of EU environmental policy and be in line with EU reporting obligations. Explanatory note: Improvements can take the form of reduced administrative burden, improved information-sharing within and between authorities, enhanced end-uses of environmental information, including reporting, and better service to end-users, including the public. As regards chemical monitoring data, projects should improve data availability and accessibility of chemical monitoring data for the regulatory processes via the use of the Information Platform for Chemical Monitoring (IPCHEM), by linking and correlating the chemical monitoring data with human and environmental health data.

2. Improving the capacity and quality of public administration in relation to plans, programmes, analyses, reviews and assessments and/or to permits, derogations, and other decisions on specific activities, where appropriate also in partnership with private entities, with a view to reducing administrative burden while optimising environmental outcomes and integrating, where appropriate, nature conservation. One or more of the following shall be targeted: Plans, programmes, analyses, reviews and assessments — air quality plans (91), — national air pollution control programmes (92), — river basin management plans (93) and associated programmes of measures, analyses and reviews, — marine spatial plans, and associated programmes of measures, and marine strategies with a view to ensuring synergies with Natura 2000 and river basin management plans, — flood risk management plans (94), — nitrate action plans (95), — waste management plans (96), — Natura 2000 management plans (97), — forest management plans required under the Rural Development Regulation, in order to secure more biodiverse forests, — land use plans and other plans requiring strategic environmental assessment (98) with a view to improving the account taken of ecosystems (99) and their services (100), — assessments of ecosystem services and related work (101), and/or decisions related to: — industrial emissions, — waste management, — water pollution and water abstraction (102), — nature protection (103). Explanatory note: For the plans or programmes or other measures targeted, improving the capacity and quality of public administration could relate to one or more of the following: engaging and supporting stakeholders; consulting the public; optimising the content of documents; monitoring implementation of and compliance with the targeted measure; sharing best practices; employing effective methods for the preparation, revision, and environmental assessment of the targeted measures. Increased monitoring capacity through e.g. highly dispersed and real-time monitoring techniques established coherently in multiple localities, increases the opportunities and information-base not only for the assessment of plans but also for creating new, dynamic plans. As regards Natura 2000 management plans and nature protection related decisions, the recommendations from the Natura 2000 biogeographic seminars should be taken into account. As regards decisions related to nature protection, this regards permitting requirements pursuant to Article 6(3) and Article 6(4) of the Habitats Directive and species protection rules pursuant to Articles 12 and 16 of the Habitats Directive and Articles 5 and 9 of the Birds Directive. Assessment includes measuring and modelling, as well as the establishment and/or improvement of emission inventories. Decisions are decisions of the competent authorities for the purpose of respecting relevant EU environmental legislation.

3. Development, promotion, implementation and/or harmonisation of one or more of the following voluntary approaches and their use by entities aiming at reducing impact on the environment of their activities, products and services: — third-party verification of the performance of innovative technologies when they are ready for the market such as Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) (104), — environmental footprint category rules (PEFCR) and/or organisation environmental footprint sectoral rules (OEFSR) at European level for products and sectors not yet covered by the existing PEFCRs/OEFSRs and related high-quality databases, based on the European environmental footprint methodology (105) and the latest available guidance (106), — actions, services, networks and new business models for fostering the use of remanufactured, repaired, refurbished and/or reused products also linked to product durability and planned obsolescence, and/or for fostering the use of officially recognised ecolabels such as the EU Ecolabel, — common tender specifications and/or uptake monitoring tools for public authorities with similar purchasing needs in order to foster the uptake of Green and Circular Public Procurement, — linking regulatory, financial or reputational incentives to environmental performance by using EMAS, — assessment of the environmental performance of buildings using the building framework with core indicators (107).

Environmental compliance assurance and access to justice

1. Supporting environmental compliance assurance by developing and implementing or implementing existing cross-border, national or regional risk-based strategies to promote, check and enforce compliance through use of a mix of administrative law, criminal law and environmental liability regarding one or more of the following: — waste crime and offending, — wildlife trafficking, — wildlife and nature crime and offending, including illegal logging, — diffuse and/or point-source water pollution and/or illegal water abstraction, — point and mobile sources of air pollution. Explanatory note: ‘Risk-based’ refers to an assessment of, first, how likely certain categories of person are to commit offences and, second, how serious the impact is expected to be on the environment and human health. The greater the likelihood of offending and the greater the expected impact, the more pressing the need to intervene. The choice of intervention should reflect the nature of the risks and be aimed at mitigating them as far as possible.

2. Supporting environmental compliance assurance by establishing new or, where in place, enhancing existing cross-border, national or regional networks of environmental compliance assurance practitioners or experts and/or establishing or, where in place, improving professional qualifications and training (108) to improve compliance with binding EU environmental instruments, through promoting, checking and enforcing compliance using a mix of administrative law, criminal law and environmental liability. Explanatory note: Environmental compliance assurance practitioners can include those working for authorities and bodies with compliance assurance responsibilities such as local, regional, police and customs authorities, environment agencies and inspectorates, supreme public audit bodies and the judiciary. They can also include non-governmental organisations and academics and researchers specialised in one or more aspects of compliance assurance. With regard to professional qualifications and training, projects should ensure academic credentials and maximise the potential of information technology through means such as webinars and massive open online courses (MOOCs) to allow distance learning to reach as many practitioners as cost-effectively as possible.

3. Development and use of innovative tools and actions to promote, monitor and enforce compliance through the establishment and use of new or, where in place, enhancement of existing tools and actions belonging to one or more of the following categories: — risk-based compliance promotion systems and techniques, — risk-based systems and techniques for effective monitoring of compliance with binding EU environmental instruments and obtaining evidence of and analysis of compliance problems on which follow-up action can be reliably based, — risk-based systems and techniques for effective follow-up and enforcement in response to non-compliance with or liabilities related to binding EU environmental instruments and covering use of administrative law, criminal law and environmental liability. Explanatory note Risk-based systems and techniques aim at understanding how well landowners, industry, SMEs, public utilities or others (‘duty-holders’) are to comply with their obligations under binding EU environmental instruments and what the impacts of non-compliance will be on the environmental and human health. Based on this understanding, such systems and techniques seek to encourage compliance and discourage non-compliance through promotion, monitoring and enforcement. Promotion systems and techniques could involve the use of guidance, advisory services, awareness-raising campaigns, partnership agreements, or self-monitoring systems that assist duty-holders to comply. Monitoring systems and techniques could relate to site inspections, surveillance (including through use of satellites and drones), spot checks, intelligence-gathering, industry analysis, police investigation, data analysis and environmental audits. Follow-up and enforcement techniques can have a similarly wide coverage.

4. Improving the handling by public authorities of environmental complaints and submissions from the public, where appropriate also in partnership with private entities, through the development and provision of new or, where available, enhancement of existing systems and techniques for managing complaints and submissions from the public with a view to optimising the reliability of the information provided, facilitating inter-action between authorities and the public, minimising administrative burden, and contributing to the successful implementation of binding EU environmental instruments. Explanatory note: Systems and techniques for managing complaints and submissions can include electronic complaint-handling systems, hot lines, citizen observatories and other citizen science platforms. Citizen science platforms may, amongst other things, allow competent national, regional and local authorities to engage citizens in state-of-the-environment and other forms of monitoring, while also generating more harmonised and useable data.

5. Promoting access to justice in environmental matters and/or mediation amongst the public, NGOs, lawyers, the judiciary, public administrations or other stakeholders with a view to improving knowledge, understanding and application of these means of dealing with environmental disputes, with a particular focus on: — protecting people's health and well-being via the requirements of EU air, water and waste instruments covered by LIFE thematic priorities, — protecting nature, biodiversity and water quality via the nature, biodiversity and water instruments covered by LIFE thematic priorities, — effective application of the Environmental Liability Directive (109). Projects should draw on existing modules and know-how in the area of environmental law training developed by the Commission (110).

4. LINKING THE GENERAL OBJECTIVES TO ACTION GRANTS UNDER THE SUB-PROGRAMME FOR CLIMATE ACTION

In line with the general objectives of the LIFE Regulation, and to ensure the required EU added value, the implementation of action grants will be linked to the three Climate Action priority areas mentioned in Article 13 of the LIFE Regulation: climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation and climate governance and information, as well as the specific objectives set out in Articles 14, 15 and 16 of the LIFE Regulation. Thematic priorities and project topics are not foreseen for action grants implemented under the sub-programme for Climate Action; however, relevant Climate Action policy areas are listed below and the annual calls for proposals also contain more detailed work areas in connection with the policy areas below.

The LIFE programme will contribute to the transformation of the Union into a low carbon and climate resilient society, by supporting the implementation of the EU's climate policy and preparing the EU for the climate action challenges in the coming years and decades. In this respect the priorities are: implementing the 2030 energy and climate framework and the Roadmap 2050 targets, as well as the Paris Agreement and adaptation policy. Emerging climate mitigation technology will be facilitated through best practice, demonstration and pilot projects with a view to successive funding in appropriate cases. EU climate policy will be firmly linked to local best practices and initiatives and showcase examples of new and better approaches to implement transition to a low-carbon and climate resilient society. To succeed, existing low carbon technologies/solutions should also be examined with regards to non-technological barriers which prevent market penetration. LIFE will also support the implementation of the EU climate change adaptation strategy so as to contribute to a more climate resilient Union (111).

On climate mitigation, projects should demonstrate at national, regional or sub-regional level the implementation of low carbon strategies or land use management plans. This would include mainstreaming emission reduction and resource efficiency measures across sectors and promoting tools to incentivise behavioural change. Support will also be provided to the deployment of new approaches (model cities and regions), where relevant through the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (112), for producing, consuming and governing with transformational impact.

As regards the adaptation priority area, support for implementation of adaptation strategies should be provided, focusing on a number of key areas with EU added value, including projects at regional or cross-border level, and through ecosystem-based adaptation where relevant. Projects will have a demonstration and transferability potential and should address the promotion of innovative adaptation solutions, in particular through mobilising the private sector, and, where relevant through the Global Covenant of Mayors. Projects should also promote synergies between climate change adaptation and mitigation, as well as disaster risk reduction policies.

Current and future EU climate policy could be supported by applications in the following Climate Action policy areas:

(a) Climate Change Mitigation — Member States' and regional/local authorities' efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the sectors not covered in the EU Emissions Trading System (‘EU ETS’ Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (113)) and in the Effort Sharing Decision (Decision No 406/2009/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (114)): transport and fuels, agriculture, construction (e.g. energy efficiency in buildings), land use, land-use change and forestry, — the development and implementation of greenhouse gas accounting and climate change mitigation in the land use sector, — the development of land management practices which have an impact on emissions and removals of emissions, e.g. as supplementary measures to ones supported under the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF); Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (115), — actions which enhance the functioning of the emissions trading system and which have an impact on energy and greenhouse gas intensive industrial production, — fluorinated gases and ozone-depleting substances, in particular projects helping the implementation of the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali amendment and the EU Regulation on the fluorinated greenhouse gases, and/or — greenhouse gas monitoring and reporting by authorities.

(b) Climate Change Adaptation — urban adaptation and land use planning which limits the impacts of climate change, — resilience of infrastructure, including application of blue-green infrastructure and ecosystem-based approaches to adaptation, — sustainable management of water in drought-prone areas, flood and coastal management, — resilience of agricultural, forestry and tourism sectors, including in island and mountain areas, and/or — support to the EU's Outermost Regions: preparedness for extreme weather events, notably in coastal areas.

(c) Climate Governance and Information — development and implementation of national 2030 climate and energy strategies and/or mid-century strategies, — incentivising behavioural change, mainstreaming emission reduction and resource efficiency actions in sectors, — assessment by authorities of the functioning of the EU ETS, — building capacities, raising awareness among end-users and the equipment distribution chain of fluorinated gases, — climate policy monitoring, assessment and ex post evaluation, and/or — best practices and awareness-raising activities addressing adaptation needs.

5. TECHNICAL METHODOLOGY FOR THE PROJECT SELECTION PROCEDURE AND SELECTION AND AWARD CRITERIA FOR GRANTS (ARTICLE 24(2)(d) OF THE LIFE REGULATION)

In the following, the technical methodology for the project selection procedure and, for grants, the main specific eligibility (116) and award criteria pursuant to Articles 2 and 19 of the LIFE Regulation are described. Since the methodology and the criteria are essentially the same for the same project types under both sub-programmes, explicit reference to one of the sub-programmes are made only where there are differences.

For all types of grants, complementarity and optimal use of EU funding, including funding for complementary activities from other financial instruments of the Union, as set out in Article 8 of the LIFE Regulation, will be evaluated and taken into account in the award criterion ‘EU added value: synergies’. To avoid undesirable overlaps, applicants shall justify why they chose to apply for LIFE funding rather than for other Union funding in case those could also support similar projects or actions.

Projects financed in one priority area shall avoid undermining environmental or climate objectives in another priority area unless this impact is clearly explained and justified in the proposal and the possible alternatives and mitigation and adaptation measures have been correctly planned if appropriate.

Further details will be provided in the application and evaluation guidelines, which will be published along with the related calls for proposal. Within the framework of the present MAPW and the LIFE Regulation the project selection may be subject to adaptation and to streamlining in each yearly call for proposals.

5.1. Action grants

Proposals from applicants who are to be excluded or do not fulfil the general eligibility criteria pursuant to Article 131 of the Financial Regulation will not be retained.

Furthermore, proposals have to fulfil the admissibility requirements (e.g. for some projects submission of the application only digitally) and eligibility criteria (e.g. conformity with Guidelines on the eligibility of Israeli entities and their activities in the territories occupied by Israel since June 1967 for grants, prizes and financial instruments funded by the EU from 2014 onwards (117)) applicable to all LIFE action grants, which will also be explicitly stated in the respective application guidelines.

The eligibility criteria applicable to the different project types are referred to under the relevant heading below. Criteria that apply in the same way to different project types are mentioned under Section 5.1.1 (Projects pursuant to Article 18(a), (b), (c) and (h) of the LIFE Regulation).

Pursuant to Article 6(2) of the LIFE Regulation, legal persons established outside the Union may participate in projects referred to in Article 18 of the LIFE Regulation, provided the beneficiary coordinating the project is based in the Union and any activity to be carried out outside the Union meets the requirements set out in Article 6(1) of the LIFE Regulation. Thus these activities have to be necessary to achieve Union environmental and climate objectives and to ensure the effectiveness of the project actions (‘interventions’) carried out in Member State territories to which the Treaties apply.

Pursuant to Article 7 of the LIFE Regulation cooperation with the relevant international organisations, their institutions and bodies shall be possible in the course of implementing the LIFE programme where needed for the purpose of achieving the general objectives set out in Article 3 of the LIFE Regulation.

Moreover, proposals will only be selected if, based on specific supporting documents related to their applicant's performance during previous years, they can demonstrate

— operational capacity — the applicant must have the professional competencies and qualifications required to complete the project, and

— financial capacity — the applicant must have stable and sufficient sources of funding to maintain the activity throughout the duration of the project and to participate in its funding.

Article 131 of the Financial Regulation will apply to the selection of public bodies and international organisations with respect to their financial capacity.

5.1.1. Projects pursuant to Article 18(a), (b), (c) and (h) of the LIFE Regulation

The selection of pilot, demonstration, best practice, and information, awareness, and dissemination projects within the meaning of Article 18(a), (b), (c) and (h) of the LIFE Regulation follow the same technical methodology for project selection and are subject to similar eligibility and award criteria, as outlined in the following.

5.1.1.1. Technical methodology for the project submission and selection procedure

In view of the proposal made in the mid-term evaluation and positive experience made with two-stage approaches in some other EU programmes, the present LIFE MAWP introduces a two-stage approach for those priority areas, where up to now potential applicants with project ideas with a high EU added value and no experience with the LIFE programme, seem to have been discouraged by the level of detail needed for the evaluation of a full project proposal in view of the relatively low chances of success. In the two-stage approach, only applicants with proposals that have a high chance to be selected, will be required to submit a full proposal (see 5.1.1.2(b))

Therefore, under the present LIFE, two procedures are foreseen:

— a two-stage approach based on a concept note followed by a full proposal,

— a one-stage approach based only on a full proposal.

The choice between these two approaches will be done by the EA in agreement with the Commission (Directorates-General for Environment and Climate Action) in view of the organisational and operational constraints for each call for proposal.

For the call 2018 the two-stage approach will be used for the sub-programme for Environment. Based on the feedback from beneficiaries, the approach may be extended to the sub-programme for Climate Action in the following years

The evaluation of the full proposals in the one stage approach is described under Sections 5.1.1.2 and 5.1.1.3.

The two-stage approach will be organised as follows:

(a) The two-stage approach

Stage 1:

— Call for proposals

— Submission of a concept note The applicant submits a concept note of a maximum of 10 pages including the following: — administrative forms regarding the beneficiaries participating in the project, — an outline of the project contents, including a description of the main environmental project focus, the partnership foreseen, the constraints that might arise and the contingency plan to address these, as well as the strategy chosen to ensure sustainability of the project results beyond the project duration, and — the project budget at the level of cost categories.

— Concept note evaluation and ranking Concept note eligibility criteria On the basis of the concept note, the EA identifies the proposals that comply with the eligibility criteria (see 5.1.1.2(a)). Concept note award criteria Proposals will be ranked by merit, i.e. the points received on the basis of the award criteria ‘Overall quality of the proposal’ and ‘Overall EU added value’. Proposals that did not reach the minimum threshold regarding one or both criteria will be excluded. For proposals with equal scoring for the award criterion ‘Overall quality of the proposal’, priority will be given to those with a higher score for ‘Overall EU added value’. In case there would be proposals with equal scoring for both criteria the final ranking will be decided by the evaluation committee.

— List of projects retained The long list of concept note proposals invited to submit a full proposal will include the best ranked proposals, for which the sum of the EU contributions requested represents 2 to 2,5 times the available budget. The EA will set the factor based on the results of the ranking, taking into account the size of the proposals and the experience acquired regarding the two-stage approach. The long list will include sub-lists for each priority area. In case the demand under one priority area is insufficient, the lists corresponding to the other priority areas may be extended.

Stage 2:

— Submission of the full proposal: Applicants of eligible concept notes that are ranked as proposals that may be considered for financing are invited to submit a full proposal. A limited flexibility is allowed between the concept note and the full proposal regarding the actions, partnership and budget. However, flexibility may not lead to a change of the nature of the concept note proposal. The budget may deviate from the one in the concept note by a maximum of 10 %.

— Full proposal evaluation and ranking Proposals will be evaluated and ranked on the basis of the eligibility and award criteria as described under 5.1.1.2.

— Preparation of the final list of projects to be funded and of the reserve list After a review phase successful projects will be proposed for funding, within the available budget. A reserve list will be constituted with the best-ranked projects that cannot be funded in view of the available budget. The reserve list will encompass an additional 20 % of the available LIFE budget.

— Signature of the grant agreement

(b) The one-stage approach

— Call for proposals

— Submission of the full proposal Applicants submit a full proposal.

— Full proposal evaluation and ranking Proposals will be evaluated against the eligibility and award criteria and ranked as described under 5.1.1.2.

— Preparation of the final list of projects to be funded and of the reserve list After a review phase successful projects will be proposed for funding, within the available budget. A reserve list will be constituted with the best-ranked projects that cannot be funded in view of the available budget. The reserve list will encompass an additional 20 % of the available LIFE budget.

— Signature of the grant agreement

5.1.1.2. Eligibility and award criteria

The eligibility criteria (a) will be applied to the concept note, in the case of the two-stage approach, and to the full proposals, in the case of the one-stage approach.

The award criteria (b) will be applied as described under 5.1.1.1 above:

(a) Eligibility criteria

Both a concept note and full proposal for a project within the meaning of Article 18(a), (b), (c), or (h) of the LIFE Regulation will not be retained for an evaluation of its merit, if the project proposal does not demonstrate that the project:

— contributes to one or several of the general objectives set out in Article 3 of the LIFE Regulation and of the applicable specific objectives in Articles 10, 11, 12 and 14, 15 and 16 of the LIFE Regulation,

— falls within the scope of the priority area of the LIFE sub-programme as set out in Articles 9 and 13 of the LIFE Regulation under which the project proposal was submitted, and

— corresponds to one of the following project types as defined in Article 2 (a), (b), (c) and (h) of the LIFE Regulation: — ‘Pilot projects’ are projects that apply a technique or method that has not been applied or tested before, or elsewhere, that offer potential environmental or climate advantages compared to current best practice and that can subsequently be applied on a larger scale to similar situations. — ‘Demonstration projects’ are projects that, put into practice, test, evaluate and disseminate actions, methodologies or approaches that are new or unknown in the specific context of the project, such as the geographical, ecological, socioeconomic context, and that could be applied elsewhere in similar circumstances. — ‘Best practice projects’ are projects that apply appropriate, cost-effective and state-of-the-art techniques, methods and approaches taking into account the specific context of the project. — ‘Information, awareness and dissemination projects’ are projects aimed at supporting communication, dissemination of information and awareness raising in the fields of the sub-programme for Environment or Climate Action. — Pilot and demonstration projects under the priority area Environment and Resource Efficiency , and pilot, demonstration and best practice projects under the priority areas Climate Change Mitigation and Climate Change Adaptation , must contain actions that lead to substantial and measurable direct effects on the environmental and/or climate action issue(s) targeted. — Pilot, demonstration and best practice projects under the priority area Nature and Biodiversity , must dedicate at least 25 % of the eligible budget to concrete conservation actions (limited exceptions will be possible in view of the specific policy needs and will be explicitly identified in the application guidelines). Concrete conservation actions are those that have substantial and measurable direct effects on the environmental and climate issue(s) targeted, in this case leading to the improvement or the slowing/halting/reversion of the decline of the conservation status or ecological condition of the species, habitats, ecosystems or ecosystem services targeted (for more details refer to the application guidelines). — Pilot, demonstration, best practice or information, awareness and dissemination projects under the priority areas Environmental or Climate Action Governance and Information must contain actions that lead to substantial and measurable direct or indirect effects on the environmental and/or climate action issue(s) targeted by causing substantial and measurable direct effects on the environmental and/or climate related governance, information, and/or awareness and dissemination issue(s) targeted.

The targeted environmental, climate action and/or related governance and information effects should already be measurable and measured or modelled on the basis of measurements during the project period.

As a measure to avoid overlap with other EU programmes (118), projects focused on research (119) or dedicated to the construction of large infrastructure do not fall within the scope of the LIFE programme and are therefore not eligible.

LIFE projects shall not serve to fund compensation measures deriving from obligations under national or EU law.

(b) Award criteria

The award criteria apply to all priority areas, unless specified otherwise. Projects only compete with each other within the same Priority Area.

Particular award criteria for concept notes

All concept notes in stage 1 of the two-stage approach have to obtain at least a passing score for the following award criteria, in order to be considered for ranking:

1. Overall quality of the proposal: this criterion will focus on the clarity of the proposals (including the description of the pre-operational context), its feasibility and the indicative value for money. Max points 20 (with a passing minimum score of 5).

2. Overall EU added value: this criterion will focus on the project contribution to the LIFE priorities, its expected impact, and the sustainability of the project results. Max points 30 (with a passing minimum of 10).

Award criteria for full proposals

For both, the two-stage and the one-stage approaches, full proposals will be evaluated and scored on their merit according to the following award criteria and scoring system:

— Technical coherence and quality

Technical coherence means that the project actions proposed should be appropriate and feasible measures for achieving the forecast project outputs and outcomes. Neither the actions nor the foreseen outputs and outcomes should contradict any of the objectives pursued by the LIFE programme. Technical quality means the project actions should aim at maximising their effectiveness and efficiency in relation to the outputs and outcomes pursued. The project actions should be well planned and clearly described.

— Financial coherence and quality

The financial contributions of the beneficiaries and co-funders, the proposed budget and its consistency with the actions proposed and with the applicable rules as well as the cost-effectiveness and value-for-money of the proposed approach will be evaluated under this criterion as regards the expected outcomes of the actions considered sufficiently technically coherent and of acceptable technical quality. The budget must be transparent, i.e. the cost items should be sufficiently described.

— EU added value: extent and quality of the contribution to the specific objectives of the priority areas of the two LIFE sub-programmes

The extent to which each proposal, in as far as it is considered technically and financially sufficiently coherent and of acceptable quality, is expected to contributes to one or several of the specific objectives of the priority areas of the two LIFE sub-programmes as set out in Articles 10, 11 and 12 of the LIFE Regulation (for the LIFE Environment sub-programme) and Articles 14, 15 and 16 (for the LIFE Climate Action sub-programme) and the quality of this contribution will be evaluated. The assessment of this criterion covers, in particular, the extent and quality of the contribution to the specific objectives targeted (impact); the magnitude of the environmental and/or climate effects expected due to the project actions at the end of the project, in comparison to the state-of-play estimated or measured at the outset of the project. It will also take into account the relevance of the territorial, social and policy contexts (120), which the project actions are expected to influence.

The expected effects should be expressed having in mind the applicable project level indicators and measuring units, which the projects will have to report on in the LIFE key project-level indicator (KPI) data base created for this purpose (121). Thus, e.g. LIFE Nature and Biodiversity proposals will be assessed based on their expected effects on the structures and functions of the habitats and the status of the species and/or the ecological status of ecosystems and the condition of their services. This assessment only takes into account the actions considered feasible on the basis of the evaluation of the technical and financial coherence.

— EU added value: sustainability (continuation, replication, transfer potential)

The sustainability of the project results in the medium and long term is the capacity to maintain them after its implementation, be it by continuation, by replication or by transfer.

Continuation means the continued use, after the end of the project period, of the solutions implemented in the project limited to the entities involved in the project, but may be further spread geographically. Mere continuation and maintenance of project results will be sufficient for a passing score, while further geographical spread will be judged on its expected scope, which makes it comparable to replication or transfer.

Replication means, the solutions applied in the project are used again in the same way and for the same purposes by other entities/sectors during or after the project end.

Transfer means that solutions applied in the project are used in a different way or for a different environment, climate action or related governance and information purpose by the same or other entities/sectors during or after the project end.

Applicants should demonstrate in their proposals that the solutions (i.e. techniques, methods, methodologies, approaches, and/or actions or support activities for communication, dissemination of information and awareness-raising) aiming at direct and/or indirect positive effects with regard to the related objectives of the LIFE Regulation have the potential to be continued, replicated and/or transferred.

Successful continuation, replication and/or transfer require a strategy including tasks to multiply the impacts of the projects' solutions and mobilise a wider uptake, reaching a critical mass during the project and/or in a short- and medium-term perspective after the end of the LIFE project. This goes beyond transfer of knowledge and networking, and involves putting the solutions developed and/or applied in the project into practice beyond the project period, elsewhere or for a different purpose.

Applicants have to provide a clear and credible description of the strategy and measures foreseen to ensure this, including an explanation regarding the following:

— how the solutions can be expected to be sustained on project level after the project end, including the related, long-term social and economic effects that would result,

— in how far further public support, i.a. in the form of loans through innovative financial instruments, would be necessary or useful for scaling-up, replicating, or transferring the solutions, and

— in particular for projects with commercial actors and actors along value chains, in how far it is expected to achieve or maintain ‘financial maturity’ (‘investment readiness’/‘bankability’) for these solutions during the project period.

— EU added value: synergies and transnationality

— Synergies (including multi-purpose, integration/complementarity, green public procurement, ecolabel, and uptake of EU-funded research results):

Synergies can be reached by multi-purpose approaches and integration in and/or complementarity with other EU policies and funding mechanisms. Proposals will receive bonus points for synergies, depending on their extent and quality.

A multipurpose delivery mechanism means that the proposal not only plans to achieve the project's specific main environmental and/or climate action objectives, but, at the same time, aims at achieving other purposes (e.g. aiming at an improved waste management and social integration). Also strategies to achieve social and economic sustainability alongside the ecological and/or climate action dimension of sustainability are encompassed by this concept (e.g. in the circular economy, along the value chain different actors achieve the prolongation of product cycles and integrate long-term unemployed in the job market).

Project proposals that, while focussing on a specific environmental or climate action issue, improve integration of these specific environmental or climate action objectives in other policy areas and/or achieve complementarity with these, and thus create synergies with the objectives of other Union policies will be favourably assessed. Up to eight additional points can be given for multi-purpose mechanisms, integration or complementarity or a combination of any of these.

Synergies can also be reached through green public procurement and the use of eco-labelling scheme as regards the integration of green production and service provision goals, and the uptake of research results under Horizon 2020 or its predecessor programmes. Thus the commitment to apply green public procurement (122) and/or, the preference of products and/or services of officially recognised eco-labelling schemes such as the EU Ecolabel (123) through a clear delivery mechanism merit one bonus point, each.

Also the uptake of the results of environmental and climate-related research and innovation projects financed by Horizon 2020 or by preceding Framework Programmes will lead to an additional bonus point, if there is sufficient evidence for the added value of this uptake for the project.

— Transnationality

Proposals shall be favoured, if transnational cooperation among Member States is essential to guarantee the achievement of the project's objectives. On the basis of this criterion, up to four additi