EU auditors say impact of LIFE environmental funds 'unclear' in absence of close monitoring

A once-promising set of European Union environmental funds for key projects have not clearly delivered on their promises to address climate needs, according to the latest report from the European Court of Auditors (ECA).

The funds for "strategic projects" under the LIFE programme, the EU’s flagship environmental protection scheme, are intended to help member states implement climate action laws, such as measures to restore nature and protect natural habitats, water resources and air quality.

But after auditing 22 different projects in Finland, Poland and Spain, EU auditors concluded that their impact is "unclear".

The lack of clarity undercuts benefits for the countries and regions where the projects were granted funding, the EU auditors said, adding that lessons learned and good practices are rarely shared, reducing opportunities for replication and broader impact.

The auditors also said many projects were selected without taking into account member states’ most pressing environmental and climate needs. They also found "weaknesses" in the way sustainability results for some projects were arranged.

"Current monitoring approaches do not allow an adequate evaluation of the contribution made by LIFE strategic projects to the EU’s environmental and climate objectives," reads the ECA report.

Joëlle Elvinger, the ECA member in charge of the audit, said LIFE strategic projects are meant to provide valuable support and attract additional funding. However, she regretted the Commission's "inconsistent" monitoring and reporting of extra funds from national or private funds.

Weak reporting and unclear impacts

The ECA also criticises the EU executive for failing to present the amounts actually spent per project, instead only providing forecasts.

“Weaknesses remain in prioritising needs, monitoring progress, and sharing results. In addition, the long-term effects and lasting benefits of the projects are often unclear,” Elvinger said.

The EU auditors' warning about insufficient monitoring of key EU climate funds comes just after the Commission announced another €358 million in funding for 123 projects under the LIFE programme.

Between 2014 and 2020, the funding programme granted €701 million for 70 strategic projects, according to ECA. Since 2021, €436 million has been awarded to another 25 projects.

In a 2024 review of LIFE, the European Commission said it had improved the conservation status of 435 species while cutting greenhouse gas and nitrogen oxides pollution, yielding a tenfold return on the €3.46 billion invested over the seven years to 2020.

Shifting climate funds to industry

However, the EU’s flagship environmental protection scheme has taken the spotlight since the Commission proposed this summer to merge LIFE funding under the next 2028-2034 budget into new cohesion and competitiveness funds.

Patrick ten Brink, secretary general at the green NGO European Environmental Bureau, described the EU executive's plans as "sabotage".

"Repealing (the LIFE programme) and folding what’s left into a broader competitiveness fund, stripping out biodiversity and environment, would gut one of the EU’s most effective tools just when we need it most, despite the enormous costs of inaction,” said ten Brink.

Brooke Moore, research analyst at the think tank European Policy Centre, said the Commission's decision risks sidelining biodiversity in favour of industrial priorities.

"Now, LIFE has been absorbed into the European Competitiveness Fund, with biodiversity largely confined to narrower labels like 'bioeconomy', while also being dispersed across various other budget lines," said Moore.

The Commission tacitly confirmed to Euronews on Wednesday that the LIFE programme funding will be merged with other EU funding programmes.

"The objectives and actions previously financed by LIFE will continue to be funded within the EU's 2028-2036 budget through the National and Regional Partnership Plans and through the Competitiveness Fund," a Commission spokesperson said.

However, with discussions on the EU's multiannual budget ongoing, some member states are seeking to reverse the change.

An EU diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Euronews that touching the LIFE programme was not “the most constructive approach”.

"We would favour LIFE staying as an independent ‘brand’, but discussions are ongoing,” they said.