Public concerns, evidence from research and increasing scientific knowledge are all driving widespread discussions on environment and health problems. The issue of environment and health is characterised by multi-causality with different strengths of association. This means that the links...

This is the second review of completed projects funded through the EU’s LIFE-Environment demonstration programme. The objective was to find out which projects were the ‘Best of the Best’ (BoBs) of those projects that completed their final reports before January 2006. This year, following an...

The launch of the LIFE programme (the EUu0092s Financial Instrument of the Environment1) in 1992 provided the EU with an instrument for financing innovative environmental projects not only within the EU, but also in other neighbouring countries through the LIFE-Third Countries component of the...

This new edition to the LIFE-Focus series explores the contribution the LIFE programme has made to sustainable, competitive and secure energy for Europe. It highlights key EU policy actions and developments in this area and provides information and experiences of innovative ways to meet present...

Within the EU, the Steppic Region is found only in one Member State: Romania. It begins east of the capital city of Bucharest and incorporates the entire eastern region known as Dobrogea. It is characterised by low-lying plains and undulating hills or plateaus with an average height of 200–300...

With its endless expanse of coniferous forests, mires and lakes, the Boreal Region forms part of a distinct band of vegetation which circles the entire northern hemisphere. Habitat types blend seamlessly into one another, creating a characteristic mosaic landscape of forests and wetlands. Along...

The Pannonian Region is dominated by a large fl at alluvial basin that is transected from north to south by two major rivers – the Danube and Tisza. Once an ancient inland sea, the basin is almost completely enclosed on all sides by low-lying hills and mountains. To the north and east lie the...

Within the EU, the Macaronesian Region consists of three archipelagos: the Azores, Madeira (both belonging to Portugal) and the Canaries (Spain). All are of volcanic origin and this fact is reflected everywhere in the landscape. Large calderas, jagged mountains and vertiginous cliffs contrast...

The Mediterranean basin stretches c.3,800 km east to west from the tip of Portugal to the shores of Lebanon and c.1,000 km north to south from Italy to Morocco and Libya. Within the European Union, the Mediterranean Region encompasses seven Member States either partially (France, Portugal,...