Danuta Hübner, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, said the funding, which represents more than 30 per cent of the regional policy budget for 2007-2013, goes hand-in-hand with the Cohesion Policy objective of delivering sustainable growth, jobs and competitiveness. “In a difficult financial climate, this investment will be instrumental in creating long-term employment and reviving local economies, as well as underpinning the EU’s commitment to the fight against climate change.”
The funding for green projects is almost three times greater than the sum allocated in the 2000-2006 budgetary period. The money will be deployed in support of the EU’s objectives of a 20 per cent reduction in EU greenhouse gas emissions and getting 20 per cent of total energy consumption from renewable energy by 2020. In total, €48 billion will be targeted at measures aimed at achieving EU climate objectives and creating a low carbon economy. This includes €23 billion for railways, €6 billion for clean urban transport, €4.8 billion for renewable energies and €4.2 billion for energy efficiency.
A further €54 billion is designated to help Member States to comply with EU environmental legislation, with improvement to water and waste management accounting for €28 billion of the total.
The Cohesion Policy will also contribute €3 billion to the promotion of environmentally-friendly products and production processes in small and medium enterprises.
One of the clear aims of funding for research and innovation is to boost overall investment in green technologies. The Lahti Cleantech cluster in Finland is an example of this type of support. The EU investment of €1.5 million in this project encouraged innovation and development of environmental technologies by bringing together small and large enterprises, education organisations and regional authorities. Overall, 170 new jobs have been created, 20 new cleantech companies have been set up, and the project has attracted more than €30 million in total investment.
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/projects/stories/index_en.cfm
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