With Europe’s climate continuing to change, the summer of 2022 was the hottest ever recorded on the continent. It brought intense heatwaves, wildfires, and severe droughts. Rivers dried up, crops withered, and ecosystems suffered
Although some of the damage done by climate change is permanent, efforts continue to limit global warming and adapt to its unavoidable impacts.
One of the European Union’s most powerful tools in this fight is the LIFE Programme. Since 1992, this funding initiative has supported thousands of environmental and climate action projects across the EU. With a current budget of €5.4 billion for 2021–2027, LIFE focuses on nature, clean energy, the circular economy, and climate resilience. Here is an example of three projects that are making a difference.
Reviving vineyards in Germany
In the sunny valleys of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, vineyards have flourished for centuries. However, recent years have brought unseasonable weather, from prolonged droughts to heavy rain, threatening both the landscape and the wine industry.
To counter this, the LIFE VinEcoS project began in 2016, aiming to increase biodiversity as a defence against climate extremes. Wild plants were introduced into the vineyards, and sheep were brought in to graze between the vines. These changes helped reduce soil erosion and retain more moisture in the ground, which is a crucial aspect of maintaining healthy vines during dry periods.
The increased biodiversity also led to a 200% rise in wild bee populations, enhancing natural pollination. As a result, the environment has become more resilient, and over 1,000 jobs in viticulture have been supported through this greener approach.
Catching fog in Portugal and Spain
Southern Europe often experiences high summer temperatures, but climate change has exacerbated drought and desertification in regions such as mainland Portugal and the island of Gran Canaria in Spain. Forest fires have become more common, and when rain does come, it often causes damaging floods due to dry, eroded soil.
To address these challenges, the LIFE NIEBLAS project has introduced fog water collectors. These multi-level structures, placed on foggy, windy hillsides, capture tiny droplets from the air. The water gathered is then used for reforestation efforts in dry areas.
While the project is ongoing, early results are promising. If successful, the technology could be expanded to other parts of Europe facing similar water shortages and land degradation.
Fighting frost in Greece
Although southern Europe is often associated with heat, regions like western Greece experience harsh winters and spring frosts. These sudden cold snaps can devastate early-blooming crops, which are increasingly vulnerable due to shifting weather patterns.
The LIFE FROSTDEFEND project, based in Aigialeia, Greece, is developing technology that monitors weather patterns and assesses which crops are most vulnerable to frost. With this data, farmers can take proactive steps to protect their yields.
Set to continue until 2025, this research is also being expanded to parts of France, contributing to the building of climate resilience across multiple countries.
30 years of impact
These projects are just a glimpse of what the LIFE Programme has achieved over the past 30 years. Since its launch, it has supported over 5,500 initiatives across Europe, evolving from a small environmental fund into a major driver of green innovation.
From protecting vineyards to capturing fog and defending crops, LIFE-funded projects are proving that with the proper support, local solutions can have a powerful impact in the global fight against climate change.
