Europe, the green leader  

The European Union is working to become a global green leader. One of the requirements for obtaining European recovery funds, Next Generation EU, is to allocate at least 37% of these funds to Green Deal objectives.  

Over the last few days, the European Union has launched several new initiatives in this regard. 

LIFE  

The first call of the historic LIFE programme will open in June. To inform about this, the European Union is holding the LIFE EU info days from 22 to 25 June.   

Find the full agenda here.   

Zero pollution   

The European Commission has publishes the EU Action Plan: Towards zero pollution of air, water, and soil.  

Aiming to promote green leadership, Europe presents the document in which it sets out:  

• Improving air quality to reduce premature deaths from air pollution by 55%;  

• Improving water quality, reducing waste, plastic waste in the sea by up to 50%; and 30% of micro plastics released into the environment;  
• Reducing the use of chemical pesticides by 50% to improve soil quality;  

To this end, air quality and water quality standards will be adjusted. European legislation on waste will also be revised to adapt it to the principles of the clean and circular economy.  

Zero pollution from production and consumption will also be promoted, and the EU’s external pollution footprint will be reduced by restricting the export of products and waste.  

Blue economy 

Another step in the EU’s green leadership is the Commission’s proposal for a new approach to the EU’s sustainable blue economy.  

This approach targets industries and sectors related to the oceans, seas, and coasts.  

The European Commission aims for all sectors of the blue economy, such as fisheries, aquaculture, coastal tourism, maritime transport, etc. to reduce their environmental and climate impact.   

Among the green objectives pursued by the European Union are:  

• Achieving the objectives of climate neutrality and zero pollution;  
• Completing the transition to a circular economy and reducing pollution by renewing rules for the design of fishing gear, the recycling of vessels and the decommissioning of offshore platforms;  
• Preserve biodiversity and invest in nature by protecting 30% of Europe’s maritime area;  
• Ensure sustainable food production.  

Blue economy funding   

The European Commission, with the European Investment Bank Group, will intensify its cooperation for a sustainable blue economy.  

These institutions will work with the Member States to meet existing funding needs to reduce pollution.  

In addition, the new European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund will support, notably through the BlueInvest Fund, the transition towards more sustainable value chains based on oceans, seas, and maritime activities.  

In addition, countries’ Recovery and Resilience Plans, through which they will be eligible for European funds, Next Generation EU, and funds from the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, such as Horizon Europe, will also contribute to the environmental sustainability of the blue economy.