INDEX

LIFE+ (2007-2013)
(Posted 30 October 2007)

LIFE+, the new EU Financial Instrument for the Environment, has entered into force with the publication of the Regulation in the Official Journal L149 of 9 June 2007. With a budget of €2.143 billion, LIFE+ is a limited but focused funding instrument providing specific support for the development and implementation of Community environmental policy and legislation. This includes the three following components

  • LIFE+ Nature & Biodiversity
  • LIFE+ Environment Policy & Governance
  • LIFE+ Information & Communication

For further details visit the LIFE website:
(http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/funding/lifeplus.htm)

MAKING SPACE FOR WATER (MSW): TAKING FORWARD A NEW GOVERNMENT STRATEGY FOR FLOOD & COASTAL EROSION RISK MANAGEMENT
(Updated 15 August 2007)

The new Government strategy for flood and coastal erosion risk management in England takes a more holistic approach to managing flood and coastal erosion risks over the 20-year lifetime of the strategy. The approach involves taking account of all sources of flooding, embedding flood and coastal risk management across a range of Government policies, and reflecting other relevant Government policies in the policies and operations of flood and coastal erosion risk management. The aim is to manage risks by employing an integrated portfolio of approaches that reflect both national and local priorities, so as to reduce the threat to people and their property and deliver the greatest environmental, social and economic benefit, consistent with the Government’s sustainable development principles.

The MSW programme has four key themes under which 25 individual projects fall.

  • Holistic approach to managing flood and coastal erosion risk
  • Achieving sustainable development
  • Increasing resilience to flooding
  • Funding

Background information on the strategy and details of the projects are available on the Defra website:
(http://www.defra.gov.uk/environ/fcd/policy/strategy.htm)

Quarterly Update document (July 2007) provides an overview of the projects under the MSW programme, gives an update on progress and key achievements to date; and sets out upcoming key milestones:
(http://www.defra.gov.uk/environ/fcd/policy/strategy/update2.pdf)