EU invests in the green transition with EUR 380 million for LIFE projects including urban mobility initiatives

The European Union has announced an investment of over EUR 380 million in 133 projects under the LIFE programme, aimed at promoting environmental and climate goals across Europe. These grants, part of a EUR 574 million total investment, support initiatives aligned with the EU’s Green Deal objectives, such as reaching climate neutrality by 2050, reversing biodiversity loss, and improving environmental quality for EU citizens. While most projects address areas like biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, and waste reduction, a portion focuses specifically on urban mobility, supporting sustainable transport efforts in towns and cities across Europe.

These selected urban mobility projects promote cleaner, more efficient transport options and support sustainable development in European cities. Some of the funded projects related to urban mobility include:

1. Night-Time Eco-Friendly Transport (MOONSET): A consortium from Austria (AT), Bulgaria (BG), and Portugal (PT) will implement and test a demand-responsive transport (DRT) shuttle service in Vienna, Lisbon, and Ruse, designed to support nocturnal workers. This initiative aims to reduce emissions, cut car reliance, and improve accessibility for socio-economically disadvantaged workers.
2. Developing Charging Infrastructure for Electric Heavy-Duty Vehicles (LIFEHDV): The LIFEHDV project, led by the Polish Association of New Mobility, aims to accelerate the development of charging infrastructure for electric heavy-duty vehicles (eHDVs) across central and eastern Europe. The initiative will pilot the establishment of eHDV charging hubs, focusing on identifying optimal locations, developing technical specifications, and testing various charging methods.
3. Streamlining Energy Savings Calculations in the EU Member States (streamSAVEplus): Although primarily focused on energy efficiency, the streamSAVEplus project also addresses the transport sector, particularly in relation to electrification and modal shifts. The project works with nine EU Member States to improve energy savings calculations for policies impacting transport. It focuses on promoting electrification and modal shifts towards more sustainable transport options, including public transport, walking, and cycling, while supporting better energy efficiency in transport systems
4. Greece’s First Green Hydrogen Refuelling Station (GREENH2ORN): The GREENH2ORN project will establish Greece’s (GR) first green hydrogen refuelling station in Kozani, a town in northern Greece. This project is part of a broader initiative to promote sustainable transport in urban areas by demonstrating the potential for green hydrogen to power a wide range of vehicles, including heavy, medium, and light duty. In collaboration with public and private partners from both Greece and Luxembourg (LU), the station will serve as a model for green hydrogen use in urban mobility, offering a clean alternative to conventional fuels and contributing to a reduction in emissions from the transport sector.
5. Accelerating the Green Transition in the West Estonian Archipelago (SEA): The SEA project, located in the West Estonian Archipelago, aims to drive the green transition by decarbonising transport and promoting renewable energy projects. While the project primarily focuses on energy efficiency and the integration of renewable energy sources, it also includes key transport decarbonisation elements, such as measures to reduce reliance on fossil fuels in local transport systems and promoting renewable energy for mobility.

These urban mobility projects represent only a portion of the LIFE-funded initiatives, which encompass a range of environmental objectives across sectors. The projects are expected to complement broader efforts to reduce emissions and pollution in cities, aligning with the EU’s long-term environmental goals and supporting sustainable urban development across Europe.

Review the full list of funded projects here.

Author: Dearbhla Mullin

Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of the European Commission.