LIFE Programme: short summaries of projects resulting from the LIFE 2020 Call for proposals 2021
Annex*
*The list of projects is being updated as new grant agreements are signed; the list will be finalised by December 2022.
Projects are listed by country of the project leader (coordinator). Organisations from your country might be involved in transnational projects coordinated in a different country.
Table of Contents
Environment and Resource Efficiency
A circular insulation material made from aerogel (CARBIP-LIFE)
Using polyurethane and polyisocyanurate in building insulation has an adverse environmental impact. The project will demonstrate an alternative composite insulation material based on aerogel combined with recycled loose-fill minerals, natural fibres and expanded polystyrene. The team will construct a large-scale facility for producing this fully circular material. They hope it will have a thermal performance comparable to conventional materials.
Managing PFAS contamination through analysis and remediation (LIFE CAPTURE)
The project will aim to curb per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contaminating soil and groundwater. PFAS are synthetic chemicals found in many products and are resistant to factors like heat, oil and water. The team will devise a protocol to analyse the presence of PFAS and determine its significance based on on-site flux and concentration measurements. They will also develop a toolkit of promising and innovative PFAS remediation technologies, as well as a 'risk-and-effect' assessment approach based on existing standardised ecotoxicity tests.
Safer packaging and insulation materials (PermaLIFE)
The project will demonstrate the large-scale production of a circular myco-material (fungus) obtained from urban organic waste, which is naturally transformed by the action of mycelium. The new material will replace harmful materials in packaging and insulation. The team aims to optimise municipal waste collection to achieve emission savings of 2 400 tonnes of CO2 and the substitution of 400 tonnes of high-carbon products over the five years following the project's end. They also foresee the creation of at least nine jobs and a 95% reduction in the product price. And they hope to inspire similar biomaterials initiatives by raising awareness among academic institutions, entrepreneurs, regional authorities and the public.
Environmental governance and Information
Better air quality policies for cities (LIFE CityTRAQ)
The project will collect relevant air quality information in Flanders, Belgium. This information will provide municipalities with local, single-source assessments to help them identify hotspots, especially traffic congestion. Their findings will help policymakers to map the impact of remedial measures and optimise local air quality plans. Schools and the wider public will be engaged in air quality and traffic monitoring to achieve behavioural change. The project's tools and approach will be promoted in other EU cities and towns.
Climate Change Adaptation
Restoring wetlands as water buffers around cities (LIFE Wetlands4Cities)
Medium-sized European cities, such as Mechelen (Belgium) and Tilburg (Netherlands), and their surroundings, face increasing threats due to climate change. Partners will create and restore wetlands on around 380 hectares. These wetlands will act as 'water buffers' around the cities to alleviate drought and reduce urban flooding. Their work will safeguard habitats for protected species and improve the effectiveness of water ecosystem restoration measures. The project will also engage citizens in climate adaptation actions.
Climate Governance and Information
Turning climate and energy policy into action (LIFE TogetherFor1.5)
The project aims to align EU climate action with the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement. The team will ensure that decision-makers take informed decisions when revising climate and energy policy, particularly concerning the EU Fit for 55 Package and National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs). They will also increase the public's acceptance of ambitious climate action by showing its societal and economic benefits.
Clean Energy Transition
Helping SMEs implement energy efficiency measures (EnergyEfficiency4SME)
The project team will support companies implementing energy efficiency measures. The consortium, including local and regional authorities, energy agencies, chambers of commerce and industry, will focus on accommodation, food services, as well as agri-food and metalwork industries. They aim to conduct 340 energy audits and provide company staff with improved skills and knowledge. The team will identify best practices and make cost-effective recommendations for SMEs.
Renewable technologies to decarbonise the cooling sector (COOLING DOWN)
The project team will propose a vision for a renewable cooling sector in Europe and issue policy recommendations to achieve it. They will conduct extensive research on the potential of renewable cooling technologies aligned with the EU Renewable Energy Directive and projected technological, economic and social trends. Through expert consultations and modelling, they will assess the role of renewable cooling technologies in climate change adaptation and mitigating urban heat island effects.
Developing narratives for more energy-efficiency policies (EEW5)
The project will focus on supporting the public sector in implementing energy-efficiency policies and the European Green Deal by developing enabling narratives and a policy dialogue platform. The narratives combine the Green Deal's aim of climate neutrality with other benefits such as innovation, new investment, job creation, energy security, improved air quality and a better quality of life. The policy dialogue platform will allow a broad range of policymakers to engage with key stakeholder groups to support the narrative development process. It will also broaden policymakers' capacities and understanding, leading to improved implementation of EU policies. Key project outcomes will include a large-scale survey, 10 narrative cases and policy recommendations for ambitious policymaking.
Empowering citizens for the clean energy transition (TANDEMS)
The project aims to show that partnerships between cities or regions and energy cooperatives can lead to a region-wide supportive framework for community energy, one that can be widely replicated across the EU. The goal is to help and empower citizens to participate in the clean energy transition, focusing on three different areas of Europe: the province of Antwerp in Belgium, the region of Achterhoek in the Netherlands, and the municipalities of Burgas and Gabrovo in Bulgaria. The team plan to develop a wide variety of replicable models and training on renewable and citizen energy communities, trigger 67 community energy projects, support 23 citizen-led initiatives, and prompt almost €8 million in sustainable energy investments by the project's end.
Improving access to capital for community energy (ACCE)
The project is focused on developing and scaling up collective financing tools for energy cooperatives across Europe. Using existing examples in the cooperative movement, it will develop innovative financing schemes for energy communities. Measures planned include creating five community energy financing schemes – in Belgium, Croatia, Germany, Romania and Spain – while two existing schemes will be expanded in France and the Netherlands. A European intermediary for national schemes will also be created to access EU funds. The goal is to trigger €90 million of citizen investments through the creation of community energy financing schemes.
Flemish one-stop-shop for energy-efficient renovations (LIFE FOSSTER)
The project will improve the renovation of public and private buildings to help the Belgium region of Flanders reach EU energy efficiency targets. The project team will integrate existing Flemish energy-saving awareness programmes, guidance and support services and combine them with best practices into a ‘one-stop-shop' model for different types of homeowners. They will test their concept in five Energy Houses. Once validated, the idea will be integrated into the legal framework.
Climate Governance and Information
Climate-proofing Bulgaria's water sector (LIFE WatClima)
The project will help Bulgaria overcome its water sector challenges due to climate change. The team will implement a new integrated approach to address water scarcity, floods and reduced water quality due to extreme weather events. They will develop national strategies for the water sector, embed climate objectives into policies, enhance administrative capacity, strengthen inter-institutional coordination, and raise awareness among citizens.
Project summary
Clean Energy Transition
Bolstering the BUILD UP Skills Platform for an energy-efficiency roadmap (BUILDUPSkillsBG)
The project will carry out an analysis of the achievements of the Bulgarian roadmap for energy-efficient construction and an assessment of the legislative framework and market demand for skilled workers. This analysis will feed into discussions on a national platform established to develop a roadmap for education and training on sustainable energy solutions in building. The roadmap will help overcome barriers and provide solutions for meeting 2030 targets in the construction sector. The project team will carry out a promotional campaign aimed at national authorities, educational institutions, professional associations, market players and social partners. This will ensure the roadmap is integrated into the national strategic framework and encourage uptake of the proposed solutions.
A new financial instrument for the clean energy transition (FLAG FICET)
Bulgarian municipalities face severe challenges in the clean energy transition (CET). Considerable financial resources are needed to achieve energy-efficient buildings and for renewable energy measures, for example. But there are market barriers to accessing CET funding. The project aims to help overcome these by developing an innovative new financial instrument to support municipal CET investments in Bulgaria. Contracts for pilot investments funded through the instrument should be signed during the project. Technical assistance for preparing clean energy project proposals will also be improved. To ensure long-term sustainability and replication of the project's results, the new instrument will be widely promoted, and additional financial resources secured for subsequent funding cycles.
Climate Change Adaptation
Helping soils retain water to reduce climate change impacts (LIFE WILL)
The project aims to improve people and landscapes' resilience to climate change impacts, such as erosion, floods and droughts, by increasing the capacity of soils to retain water. The team will demonstrate an innovative participatory ecosystem-based adaptation methodology for water retention on three pilot sites in Czechia and Slovakia. This will enhance rural socio-economic development, landscape resilience and biodiversity. The method will be replicated at 30 other locations.
Helping spruce forests to stand firm (LIFE Adapt Brdy)
Recent dry years have weakened spruce forest stands throughout central Europe, making them vulnerable to the European spruce bark beetle and other threats. The team will adapt forests in the Brdy Highland to climate change. They will reduce the number of damaging the cloven-hoofed game, implement close-to-nature forest management, and increase the area of natural regeneration and the proportion of minority tree species such as beech and white fir. These practices will be replicated at other sites.
Clean Energy Transition
Improving the Czech and Slovak construction sector's capacity to meet energy-efficiency targets (DoubleDecker)
National energy efficiency analysis and roadmaps under the BUILD UP Skills initiative must be updated to include current technological developments and more ambitious climate goals. The project plans to identify and promote measures for increasing the capacity of Czechia and Slovakia to meet these new requirements and targets concerning construction. A secondary goal is strengthening EU policies under the BUILD UP Skills initiatives.
Promoting home renovations for more energy-efficient buildings (One Stop Shop)
The one-stop shop model has successfully persuaded homeowners to finance renovations and improve buildings' energy efficiency, but it is not widely used in Europe. This project seeks to stimulate demand for building renovations and energy performance improvements via a new comprehensive service – a one-stop shop – covering the whole 'customer journey', from the pre-consultancy phase to monitoring. Launching an interactive online building renovation calculator should empower homeowners in building renovation design. Plus, local construction companies, architects, engineers, financiers and others will be galvanised to demonstrate the one-stop shop's positive impact on homeowners' behaviour and increase demand for building renovations. The project will also build expertise and provide training, primarily for blue-collar professionals.
Nature and Biodiversity
Restoring coastal habitats for nature and the climate (COASTal LIFE)
In the face of global biodiversity and climate crisis, this project will focus on improving habitats in Denmark's coastal areas. The goal is to help bring 12 different habitats to favourable conservation status, improve conditions for nine protected bird species and increase biodiversity. The project's restoration work should also help lock away more carbon, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to the EU's Fit for 55 climate package.
Environment and Resource Efficiency
Converting salmon processing by-products into food ingredients (LIFE CONQUER)
The project will convert salmon peptides and oil, a by-product of salmon processing, into viable food ingredients. The team will construct a sustainable biorefinery for extracting proteins from bones and in-situ spray drying. The project's methodology reduces bio-waste and greenhouse gas emissions while improving water use and generating energy savings. Despite the high initial investment in the refinery, the team aims to make the business case for its unprecedented approach, projecting high revenues and creating 17 new jobs.
Clean Energy Transition
Bolstering energy transition renovation in south Denmark (COHEAT2)
The project aims to show how energy transition renovations can be accelerated through novel business, technology and replication models. Demonstration activities will focus on buildings and homes not connected to the district heating systems of 22 municipalities in southern Denmark, recognising that 100 000 renovations in the region must occur before 2030. A local energy planning process will ensure that the appropriate solutions are tailored to the local community context. The project expects to facilitate the investment of €31.9 million in energy transition renovations by developing system solutions based on green technologies, fostering community cooperation and offering consumer-friendly services via development units established by the project.
Nature and Biodiversity
Boosting river mussel numbers in northwest Germany (LIFE Bachmuschel)
Thick-shelled river mussels have declined dramatically since the last century because of humans' impact on rivers and streams. Consequently, this freshwater mussel is now classed as globally endangered and critically endangered in Germany. The project team will conserve, increase and reintroduce thick-shelled river mussels on 14 Natura 2000 sites in Brandenburg state. Actions will target flowing waters in the Elbe, Havel and Spree catchment areas. Work planned includes improving habitats and conditions, creating new habitats, minimising threats, reintroducing mussels in areas where they have vanished, and boosting numbers where they are low and in decline.
Environment and Resource Efficiency
Cultivating protein-rich Lemna on a commercial scale (LIFE LEMNERGY)
The project will demonstrate the first large-scale vertical cultivation of Lemna (duckweed) to produce high-value protein foodstuffs. It will also show that aquaculture waste and other industrial waste can meet the fertiliser needs and the CO2 input necessary for its cultivation. Water lentils, such as Lemna, have not previously been farmed on an industrial scale due to cost and safety concerns. The team will show that they are an environmentally beneficial alternative to other protein sources.
Installing a fuel cell and methanol-reforming system for clean energy on board a yacht (LIFE OCEAN)
The maritime sector was responsible for 13.5% of all EU greenhouse gas emissions in 2020. The project plans to show the environmental benefits of substituting diesel generators, commonly used in yachts to meet the energy needs of cabins, with a more sustainable alternative – a methanol reformer coupled to a Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell. It will implement this auxiliary power unit in the Sanlorenzo superyacht, demonstrating reductions in emissions and noise, both onboard and underwater.
Environmental governance and Information
LIFE-developed tools to improve consumer behaviour towards chemicals (LIFEChemBee)
The project will run a campaign to improve consumer behaviour relating to products that use harmful chemicals. The team will promote the 'Household Check', developed by the predecessor project NonHazCity, to encourage users to make inventories of their household goods and introduce beneficial changes. The project will also promote the Scan4Chem application on toxic-free goods developed by LIFE AskREACH. With the help of Chemicals Ambassadors, the project will expand the reach of these projects via an education programme.
Climate Change Adaptation
Balancing hydropower with river ecosystem needs (CONTEMPO)
The project aims to balance the demand for renewable energy from hydropower with the good ecological functioning of rivers. The team will implement a dynamic management approach at a pilot site to ensure sufficient water level is maintained for power generation during low water periods, which occur more frequently with rising temperatures. Water flow will be regulated with real-time data and active control of temperatures and oxygen levels to keep the river ecosystem within a non-critical range.
Climate Governance and Information
Ensuring businesses can finance climate action (Stress)
The project team will help businesses cope with climate stress. They will reduce barriers to accessing appropriate finance for the private sector, facilitate international harmonisation through a platform of exchange for financial sector climate stress tests, and ensure that these stress tests include sustainability themes such as ecosystem service loss and just transition. They will also compile a repository of climate stress-test exercises and implement training and capacity-building actions.
Clean Energy Transition
A new certification scheme for clean energy SMEs (CONFESS)
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make up over 99% of all businesses in the EU and account for more than half of its GDP. However, the vast majority fall outside the reporting obligations for the EU taxonomy – a classification system for sustainable economic activities – meaning financial institutions lack access to sustainability data about them. Yet SMEs represent a substantial market opportunity for small-scale renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements. The project's goal is to foster the growth of sustainable energy investments by establishing a harmonised certification scheme for clean energy SMEs, building on the framework of the EU taxonomy. This certification scheme will help financial market actors assess their energy investments' sustainability and should contribute to the faster upscaling of sustainable energy investments.
Green mortgage financing for home energy improvements (ENGAGE)
The project aims to provide a solution for green mortgage financing, an essential part of European decarbonisation. The team will identify key data for assessing the energy efficiency information of green mortgages and create a 'green investments portal' to simplify access to and compare green data. This portal will offer consumers mortgage loans that reward improvements in the energy class of their properties and support them in converting their properties and obtaining new energy labels. It will be piloted in the Netherlands and Spain, while one-stop digital shops in Spain will assist consumers with the retrofit process. The project should enhance business opportunities for local contractors and companies while paving the way towards a more ethically and economically sustainable built environment.
Nature and Biodiversity
Bringing sturgeons back to the Baltic Sea (LIFE Baltic Sturgeon)
Sturgeons disappeared from the Baltic Sea in the last century as the rivers where they spawned deteriorated, with barriers to migration, water pollution and overfishing. The last specimen caught in the wild in Estonian waters was back in 1996. Now, conditions have improved significantly, sturgeon fishing is forbidden, and the team behind this project are looking to re-establish the species in the north-eastern Baltic Sea. To this end, they will release young sturgeons in the Narva and Pärnu rivers, the region's most important historical spawning grounds.
A boost for biodiversity in Tartu, Aarhus and Riga (urbanLIFEcircles)
This project aims to improve city-wide biodiversity management in Tartu (Estonia), Aarhus (Denmark) and Riga (Latvia) to restore connectivity and enhance ecosystem health. In each location, continuous interconnected wildlife habitat is envisaged, which starts from peri-urban nature reserves and extends throughout each city, connected through green corridors and a network of ‘stepping stones' for nature. Measures planned include restoring habitats, engaging communities in these cities to participate in conservation and restoration work, and helping businesses develop the products and services needed to support city biodiversity. With practical examples, the goal is to show that system change for biodiversity is possible in cities. The project's solutions should apply to most urban areas in Europe.
Climate Change Adaptation
Nature-based solutions for climate resilience in urban areas (LIFE LATESTadapt)
The project aims to increase the resilience of Estonian and Latvian urban areas to extreme weather events by focusing on nature-based solutions, digital change, planning, community engagement, and enabling skills. At eight sites, the project team will develop, test and demonstrate measures to prevent local flooding caused by an overload of the urban drainage system during extreme rainfall. They will also develop an integrated decision-support system, suitable green infrastructure and nature-based solutions.
Clean Energy Transition
Regional initiatives for a just energy transition (CEESU-DIGIT)
The project team will build capacity in six Central and Eastern European countries in carbon-intensive regions to develop holistic regional Energy and Climate Action Plans (ECAPs). They will also assist municipalities in formulating, funding, and implementing their ECAPs. At both levels, capacity building will benefit from sharing ideas, knowledge, and applications for financing. A key focus will be on energy poverty and involving marginalised and vulnerable groups in the planning process.
Environment and Resource Efficiency
Recycling waste plastic into sustainable wax (PLASTIC2WAXLIFE)
Demand for wax, commonly obtained from fossil resources, is expected to exceed supply by 20%. This project will demonstrate an innovative chemical recycling process based on pyrolysis for converting waste plastics into sustainable wax, thus preventing landfilling and incineration. The team will scale up an existing process from the treatment of 4 000 tonnes of waste a year to 12 000 tonnes before its further application on an industrial scale of 40 000 tonnes. The aim is to show that a plant using the project technology can achieve savings of up to 24 000 tonnes/year of waste plastics from incineration and emissions of 23 000 tonnes of CO2eq/year.
Clean Energy Transition
Promoting Local Energy Agencies in peripheral regions (LEAP)
The project team will create three Local Energy Agencies in Ireland to support integrated home renovation services in peripheral regions. These will address challenges, such as dispersed and older housing and reliance on oil and solid fuels, to help achieve Ireland's target of retrofitting 500 000 homes by 2030. The Local Energy Agencies will help homeowners understand their options to ensure effective investments and work with local contractors on a cohesive home renovation service.
Building up skills in Ireland's construction sector by 2030 (BUSI2030)
The project team will update the Irish BUILD UP Skills Platform to upskill building workers. This reflects policy and sectoral changes since 2013, including digitisation, circular economy, and climate change targets. The project brings together expertise to define education and training needs now and in the future. A key focus of the revitalised platform will be financing and investment to deliver the skills required by the construction sector to provide energy-efficient renovated and new-build houses.
Environmental governance and Information
Improving air quality through increasing the awareness and capacity of authorities (LIFE SIRIUS)
This project aims to improve urban air quality management by promoting an integrated approach that advances responsible authorities' knowledge, skills and competencies. Specifically, it will facilitate the scaling up of solutions, emphasise the health impact of air quality, and provide a framework for increasing awareness. The project will target seven partners in Greece, Cyprus and Italy, improving their capacity and management performance while also developing standard evaluation and environmental management systems.
Clean Energy Transition
Improving energy efficiency to reduce energy poverty (REVERTER)
The project team will alleviate energy poverty by improving household energy efficiency. They will develop roadmaps to identify the worst-performing houses and the most cost-effective renovation methods. This will help upgrade more homes for a given budget, maximise energy and cost savings, and reduce greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions. Pilots in Bulgaria, Greece, Latvia and Portugal will facilitate large-scale replication under different building, climate and socioeconomic conditions.
Promoting the use of the Smart Readiness Indicator (SMARTREADY-easySRI)
The project team will create a web platform for the automated calculation of the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI), introduced in the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, to enable its effective implementation. The platform will also provide additional information to make the SRI more understandable for building users and customised recommendations for building upgrades. The team will produce training materials and promote using the SRI concept in EU policies.
Ensuring just energy transitions through the standardised assessment of socio-economic impacts (SITRANS)
The project will address the need to assess the economic and social impact of introducing sustainable energy sources at the regional and intra-regional level to ensure a 'just transition'. It will also address the need for an effective governance model recognising regional specificities. A vital aspect of the project is the establishment of a Just Energy Transition Observatory for evaluating energy policies and initiatives based on indicators and criteria defined in public consultations. Reaching a joint agreement on indicators will increase the acceptance of policy and investment plans.
Establishing a marketplace to accelerate investment in energy-efficiency renovations (ENERGATE)
Lack of funding is hampering urgently needed energy-efficiency renovations of buildings in the EU. To address this problem, the project plans to create an effective, ICT-enabled, energy-efficiency marketplace that brings together energy services and sustainable finance to support the financing of initiatives. The project team also aims to simplify the complex decision-making processes of key targeted groups.
Revitalising the Greek National Qualifications Platform (BUS REGRoUP)
The BUS-REGRoUP aims to bolster the Greek National Qualifications Platform that was created in the first phase of the BUILD UP Skills initiative, expanding its scope by engaging new stakeholders. The project will also update the status quo analysis and the national qualifications roadmap to reflect ongoing developments in the building sector in Greece. The project will assess energy performance, contributions to 2030 climate action targets, and barriers and gaps to inform discussion among the stakeholders. The updated national roadmap will outline priority measures and the resources required to drive their implementation.
Energy transition audits to encourage decarbonisation (EnTRAINER)
The project focuses on energy-intensive industries in Greece, Italy, Romania and Spain, which are lagging in implementing energy audits compared to other parts of the EU. The goal is to introduce a paradigm shift from conventional energy audits to new energy transition audits and provide action plans for the complete decarbonisation of audited sites. Measures planned include training for energy auditors, energy experts and company staff, a sophisticated web portal with new and upgraded tools for energy professionals, and a training platform and knowledge hub. 40 detailed energy transition audits will follow preliminary energy scans in 80 energy-intensive industries. Industrial sites will have support to implement the measures proposed by the audits, as the team will bring top management and financiers together to help them take advantage of funding opportunities. The results of the energy audits should also serve as examples for others in the same sector via the knowledge hub.
Tools and services for assessing the smart readiness of buildings (SRI ENACT)
The EU's smart readiness indicator (SRI) is an optional scheme for rating the smart readiness of buildings. A building's capacity to accommodate smart-ready services (e.g., heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting and charging of electric vehicles) determines its SRI rating. Several challenges affect the uptake of this indicator, such as a lack of SRI expertise among energy auditors, low engagement of stakeholders, and difficulties with informed decision-making on energy smartness upgrades. The project aims to boost SRI uptake in Europe, involving stakeholders to tailor the implementation of the indicator to different national contexts. A training and certification package will be developed for SRI auditors, while a new toolkit with SRI assessment and decision support tools should promote informed decision-making on smartness upgrades. Large-scale pilots in Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Greece, Latvia, Romania and Spain will see auditors rate the smart readiness of 1 200 buildings.
Boosting renewable heating and cooling solutions (REDI4HEAT)
Heating and cooling account for half of the European energy demand and 80% of household energy consumption. The EU's clean energy package contains several measures to boost the uptake of renewable heating and cooling solutions by 2030. However, most Member States have yet to design strategies for this sector that are ambitious enough to comply with the Renewable Energy Directive. The project's goal is to support the implementation of this directive's provisions on heating and cooling and help Member States and local authorities with this process. It will provide a better understanding of the shortcomings in current strategies as well as a set of recommendations to address them. This will be complemented by capacity-building events in five Member States and through a new knowledge-sharing platform and toolkits for public authorities at national, regional and local levels.
Nature and Biodiversity
Improving river habitats and species around the Bay of Biscay (LIFE KANTAURIBAI)
Species and habitats in five river catchments around the Bay of Biscay have poor conservation status. River fragmentation, the presence of roads and invasive alien species have all taken their toll. The project aims to improve the conservation status of species and habitats in 15 Natura 2000 sites in Spain and France. Measures planned include enhancing river connectivity by eliminating 30 obstacles or making them passable and controlling or wiping out invasive species (American mink, coypu, muskrat and some plants). Fish that migrate between freshwater and saltwater – salmon, lamprey, shad and eel – are set to benefit. The conservation status of Pyrenean desman, European mink and some freshwater mussel species should improve.
Environment and Resource Efficiency
An eco-efficient system for wastewater treatment and reuse (BIODAPH2O)
The project aims to demonstrate eco-efficient, nature-based tertiary wastewater treatment at two sites in water-stressed Mediterranean regions. The sites will produce reclaimed water that can be reused agriculturally, avoiding the discharge of pollutants. The technology developed by the Innoqua project and is based on the depuration capacity of biological organisms such as water fleas, microalgae, and biofilms does not produce sludge or require any chemicals. It will be validated by an environmental technology verification body ahead of its wider replication and exploitation.
Boosting reward-as-you-throw recycling schemes (CENTS4PACK)
EU countries are introducing reward-as-you-throw schemes to meet targets for recycling. The project will develop and demonstrate a large-scale Internet of Things tool for facilitating the adoption of such schemes. Installed over all types of street bins and able to process all packaging materials, the approach will be demonstrated in Guadalajara over 12 months. The aim is to increase the recovery rates by 25% on 2018 levels, changing how waste is viewed and managed.
Recovering polyphenols from olive oil waste (CYCLOPS)
Olive oil production generates a range of waste streams, including alpeorujo, a highly polluting mixture of vegetation water, solid parts of the olive and fatty residues that are difficult to dispose of. This project aims to demonstrate a sustainable way of managing olive oil waste by recovering polyphenols (healthy compounds) as high-value products for oil and wine, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. The remaining waste will be co-digested in an anaerobic digestion infrastructure to significantly enhance biogas production and generate digestate of sufficient quality to be applied on land. This process closes the cycle and achieves zero waste.
A closed-loop system for reusing water from textile finishing (LIFE ANHIDRA)
This project will develop an innovative and efficient regeneration and reuse solution for water from the textile finishing process. It will show the wastewater's potential for reuse in industrial washing machines, with savings of up to 21 000 m3 foreseen over 60 days. Integrating this closed-loop system into a conventional textile finishing process is expected to reduce water consumption by 92% and wastewater generation by 98% while avoiding the discharge of emerging pollutants, microfibres and pathogens into the environment. Energy consumption will also be reduced by 15%. The project team will draw up business plans for the technology's replication, with 36 facilities expected to implement it within three years of the project's end, increasing to at least 100 within five years.
Preventing evaporation loss at agricultural reservoirs (LIFE H2OLOCK)
Although agricultural water reservoirs play a significant role in Europe's irrigation systems, evaporation can negatively affect them. This project will demonstrate a cost-effective way of addressing this problem at larger reservoirs, improving the performance of current solutions. The project's approach, which comprises a novel combination of floating modules and 'blankets' with solar cells, suppresses algae growth without using algicides and produces renewable energy for irrigation systems.
A circular seawater desalination process that produces renewable energy (LIFE INDESAL)
The project will develop a novel, integrated and circular seawater desalination process for producing multi-purpose desalinated water. The method applies reverse electrodialysis to convert the generated brines into a renewable energy source. Further electrodialysis treatment with bipolar membranes produces sodium hydroxide and hydrogen chloride that can be reused in the desalination stage. The team will demonstrate the process on a pilot scale over two years to highlight its economic and environmental benefits before transferring it to full-scale plants.
A biorefinery for producing high-value products from fishing discards and by-products (LIFE REFISH)
The discarding of unwanted catch and the current management of by-products challenges the sustainability of the fishing sector. This project will create a biorefinery to turn these challenges into an opportunity for generating high-value-added products, such as protein hydrolysates, oils, mineral fractions, collagen hydrolysates, gelatines, fish mince, chitin and chitosan. The consortium will offer three to six times the price currently available for discards and by-products for their use as fishmeal and oil. The aim is to reduce the discard of fish by 6% in Spain by 2030, valorising 2.7% of the fish and seafood by-products.
Reusing end-of-life electric vehicle batteries in hybrid renewable energy plants (LIFE ReLiGHT)
Improving energy storage is vital for achieving EU climate goals, especially given the expanding market for electric vehicles. This project aims to demonstrate a modular battery energy storage solution for the reuse of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles on a large scale. The team will show that the end-of-life batteries can be integrated into renewable plants attached to the electrical grid, thus creating a hybrid system that can be deployed in regions where renewable sources alone cannot guarantee sufficient supply. The system reduces waste from electric vehicles while generating significant greenhouse gas emission savings.
Using technology to optimise agricultural processes (LIFE Als)
The project will employ 3D stereo vision and artificial intelligence (AI) post-processing technologies to improve knowledge of crops and adjust management practices and agricultural machinery to achieve savings in pesticide, fertiliser, water and diesel use. The project's approach will be trialled at three demonstration olive, grape and avocado farms in Spain and Portugal. The agronomic input savings will be mapped to estimate the resulting greenhouse gas emission reductions.
Removing contaminants of emerging concern from water (PRISTINE)
The project aims to develop an adaptable solution for permanently removing contaminants of emerging concern from water streams. The solution is based on a combination of technologies that will be supported by a decision support system comprising AI-based soft-sensors for estimating the concentration levels of contaminants. These include Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pesticides, toxins, antibiotic-resistance genes and microplastics. The team expects to show that more than 80% of contaminants can be removed from wastewater and drinking water at a cost 30% lower than current technologies.
Developing a water reclamation train for crop irrigation (WARRIOR)
The project will demonstrate an innovative, cost-effective water reclamation 'train' for crop irrigation based on the application of reused ultrafiltration (Re-UF) membranes and a chemical-free, energy-efficient disinfection process. A digital tool for risk management and process optimisation will support this so-called' WARRIOR' process. The team will also develop a digital platform for connecting used-membrane providers, such as water utilities, with end-users. This treatment train will be demonstrated in Murcia, one of the most water-stressed regions in Europe.
Reusing a toxic waste stream from the paper and pulp industry (ZEBRA LIFE)
Europe's pulp and paper industry produces around 11 million tonnes of waste annually. Much of this is black liquor, a toxic waste mostly burnt for energy recovery or sent to disposal sites. This project will demonstrate a process that will enable paper mills to reuse this black liquor by-product as a natural antioxidant and UV filter product. This will help lower the environmental impact of the rubber, fuel, lubricants, food and cosmetics sectors.
Climate Change Adaptation
Climate-resilient agroforestry in northwest Iberia (LIFE SILFORE)
Climate change is causing significant harm to Europe's forests, increasing droughts and the risk of fire, disease and flooding. This project focuses on the northwest Iberian Peninsula, an area greatly affected by these hazards. The plan is to develop silvopastoral systems – a method that combines forestry and grazing of livestock – to help increase climate change resilience on land used for agroforestry and reduce the risk of fire. This should boost biodiversity at both plot and landscape scale. Different silvopastoral systems will be applied according to the potential of each zone, and these systems should result in diversified and more profitable agroforestry.
Precision soil monitoring for water savings on farms (HYDROSTICK)
Extreme drought and flooding will seriously disrupt the agriculture sector in Spain. However, precision farming can lessen climate change impacts. The project team will explore this by demonstrating a new modular, autonomous, user-friendly and customisable 'hydrostick' technology. It allows real-time monitoring of soil characteristics to show its ability to achieve substantial water savings and efficient fertiliser use. The technology will be tested in a greenhouse and on four pilot crops in Navarra and Extremadura.
Climate Change Mitigation
Certifying sustainable cereal production (LIFE Innocereal EU)
The project team will develop and demonstrate a sustainable and competitive system for cereal production chains. The aim is to increase productivity, with more efficient use of nutrients, herbicides and fertilisers, through practices that secure more carbon in the soil and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Contracts will ensure cereal products comply with food standards, leading to a new sustainability label and a low-carbon emission cereals certification system.
Biofuel to replace the burning of rice straw (LIFE REPTES)
Vast amounts of rice straw are burned annually in fields near Albufera Natural Park (Spain), emitting greenhouse gases and particulate matter. The project will develop a new circular model for valorising rice straw and sewage sludge to produce renewable gas biofuels. The team will implement a combination of technologies based on the novel dark fermentation process (DFP) to produce biohydrogen. They will also use an innovative methodology for pre-treating rice straw.
Climate mitigation through land management in mining areas (LIFE CARBON2MINE)
The project team will develop innovative land and vegetation management models to optimise the carbon sink effect in mining areas in Asturias, Spain, to mitigate climate change. These models will ensure cleaner energy production, increase biodiversity and enhance ecosystem services. They will also promote the circular economy in managing forests and grasslands by using ash from local bioenergy production as fertilisers.
Promoting sustainable forestry (LIFE TOKEN CO2)
The project team will develop a set of novel close-to-market products and services that incentivise sustainable practices in European forests. They will validate a large-scale predictive remote sensing-based model to calculate the absorption of carbon dioxide by forest stands and assess the effectiveness of interventions. Their digital platform will include a carbon credits market tool that uses blockchain technology.
Climate Governance and Information
Adapting beaches to climate change (LIFE AdaptCalaMillor)
Beach ecosystems in the Balearic Islands in Spain are vulnerable to climate change impacts such as mean sea-level rise, shoreline erosion and coastal flooding. Partners will implement local adaptation practices for urban beaches in the seaside tourist resort of Cala Millor in Mallorca. They will develop a participatory and multi-level governance approach to select adaptation measures and integrate the physical, environmental, socio-economic and urban dimensions.
Clean Energy Transition
Building skills in the Spanish construction sector (Construye 2030)
The project team will accelerate the cost-effective renovation of existing buildings and promote the use of smart technologies in buildings. This will help achieve policy targets for energy efficiency, circular economy, and the use of renewable energy sources. The project team will train construction workers, building on a national skill development initiative in Spain. This training will provide skills related to digitalisation, smart buildings, heating and cooling, and life-cycle carbon assessment.
Developing technical assistance to boost energy communities across Europe (LIFE BECKON)
The project plans to encourage the creation of 'energy communities' across Europe by developing support mechanisms for public authorities, promoters and Local Action Groups. This support will include a technical assistance 'cookbook' that provides guidance on establishing technical assistance offices and a capacity-building programme for increasing stakeholder knowledge and offering integrated services on a one-stop-shop platform. The support mechanisms will be validated in Avila, Sofia and Copenhagen ahead of replication across Europe.
Supporting the energy transition on tourist islands (GENERA)
The project is designed to help public authorities on tourist islands transition to a decarbonised and sustainable economy. It will establish a framework of energy transition measures for tourist islands, assisting municipalities along the path from planning to implementation and citizen engagement, in line with the EU's island clean energy transition agenda and the Covenant of Mayors. Actors involved in the energy transition will design roadmaps to achieve energy goals and put them into practice locally, producing a replicable methodology and sustainability guidelines. The project aims to provide novel energy monitoring tools tailored to the islands' needs to help decision-making and drive the sustainable energy transition. Other measures include large-scale capacity-building programmes and engagement of local societies, permanent and seasonal inhabitants and tourists via a digital platform and physical events to create a new generation of energy-sensitive citizens.
Bringing local actors together for regional energy communities (JALON)
This project will use a new approach to stimulate European citizen-led energy community projects. The approach is rooted in close collaboration with local stakeholders so that energy communities act as an instrument of social innovation and solve local needs, especially for rural regions. It will be demonstrated via a large-scale regional energy community bringing together 87 rural villages in Spain. This will engage 5 000 citizens, 40 local authorities and 75 businesses and is aimed at mobilising €13 million for investment in photovoltaic-energy facilities. Six other EU regions will work with the project partners to develop implementation plans so they can follow the example. Promotion of the project's results should help foster replication across the EU.
Supporting the sustainability of European energy communities (COMANAGE)
Once begun, energy community projects often struggle to take off. The team will tackle the primary governance and management barriers such projects face by creating a governance framework for energy communities. They will also equip public authorities with services, support mechanisms and tools to help govern and manage energy communities and other forms of citizen-led energy initiatives. Ultimately, the goal is to stimulate new community-owned energy projects and to ensure that existing projects can grow in the medium and long term. To this end, the team will establish a transnational network of knowledge and competence providers and set up three service hubs in Spain, Poland and Italy.
Nature and Biodiversity
Stopping ships from colliding with cetaceans (LIFE SEADETECT)
Ship strikes are the biggest non-natural threat to whales, dolphins and porpoises, collectively known as cetaceans. The project team will develop new technologies to reduce the risk of collision. Innovative systems should ensure that cetaceans within one kilometre can be detected in real-time and in most weather conditions, day or night. This will allow vessels to change course to avoid striking marine mammals. The plan is to test an onboard system on three high-speed ferries. Also, a new system of buoys to detect and triangulate cetaceans' position in real-time will be deployed in key areas in summer – the most dangerous period for ship strikes. Detections will also feed into an existing software system that prevents collisions between vessels