A group of experts within the LIFE external monitoring team (Neemo) has published a report analysing the LIFE programme’s role in creating green jobs and boosting sustainable economic growth across Europe.
The study - LIFE: Contributing to Employment and Economic Growth - explores LIFE project sustainability (i.e. the viability of project outcomes after the end of financing) and replicability (i.e. the degree to which project outcomes are taken up by other entities).
The report first focuses on the statistical and econometric analysis of LIFE projects in terms of sustainability and replicability potential. It then examines the economic impact of selected LIFE projects under different replication scenarios. The third section highlights the hidden economic potential of LIFE Nature projects thanks to the ecosystem services delivered. The final section presents an overview of recent Green Finance initiatives that can help LIFE project replication.
Key report findings include the quantification of ‘clustering’, with certain countries specialising in LIFE Environment or Nature projects. Concentrations of projects also occur around certain economic sectors. The study reveals the main determinants of project sustainability and replicability, which include the level of innovation, personnel and infrastructure budgets, the amount spent on prototypes, and the number of beneficiaries.
The report concludes that from an initial investment of €2.1 billion (total LIFE project funding from 1991 to 2016), the LIFE Programme has led to the creation of 74 500 full time equivalent (FTE) jobs: 31 000 during project implementation and 43 000 as a result of the first five years of project replication. This was estimated to have contributed €9.3 billion to the European economy. In addition, LIFE Nature projects contribute around €43 billion, when their role in improving ecosystem services is monetarised.
Source: © European Union, 1995-2017