LIFE and landscape fire project recognised at 2025 LIFE Awards
Iain Hoey
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Nature and climate projects awarded at EU event
Three projects from across Europe have been awarded top honours at the 2025 LIFE Awards, according to the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency.
The awards were presented during European Green Week, recognising efforts to protect biodiversity, promote circular economy models, and increase climate resilience.
Winners were chosen from nine finalists across three categories: nature protection, circular economy and quality of life, and climate action.
LIFE and landscape fire project highlighted as finalist
The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency reported that the LIFE LANDSCAPE FIRE project, which focuses on forest fire prevention, was named a finalist in the circular economy and quality of life category.
This project applies traditional fire prevention methods alongside newer strategies to reduce the scale and impact of wildfires in Portugal and Spain.
Although the LIFE LANDSCAPE FIRE project did not win its category, it was highlighted alongside two others, with the top prize going to LIFEPOPWAT for piloting a nature-based water decontamination system in Czechia and Poland.
LIFE Lynx project receives dual recognition
According to the agency, the LIFE Award for Nature went to the LIFE Lynx project, which reversed the decline of the Alpine Lynx in the Dinaric Alps by engaging conservationists, hunters and local communities in Slovenia and Croatia.
The project also received the LIFE Citizens’ Prize following an online public vote.
Other finalists in the nature category included LIFEraisedbogs, which restored over 900 hectares of peatland in Denmark, and LIFE living Natura 2000, which focused on awareness in Germany.
Climate award goes to desertification prevention project
The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency stated that the LIFE Award for Climate Action went to LIFE DESERT-ADAPT.
The project aims to prevent desertification by improving soil health, increasing water retention, and supporting ecosystems across Italy, Spain and Portugal.
Two other projects were recognised in the climate category: NATURAL HVACR 4 LIFE, which developed alternatives to fluorinated gases for air-conditioning, and LIFE Natur’Adapt, which promoted climate adaptation tools in French nature reserves.
Rising Star category introduced for circular economy innovation
The agency introduced a new “Rising Star Recognition” award in 2025 to spotlight emerging contributions to the circular economy.
The inaugural award was given to LIFE RE-ZIP, a Danish project aiming to replace single-use packaging with reusable solutions in eCommerce.
The project is expected to circulate over 120 million reusable packages by its end in 2026, saving 17,000 tonnes of waste and supporting 300 jobs.
Top LIFE Awards 2025 winners announced for nature, circular economy, and climate action: Summary
Three winning projects were announced at the 2025 LIFE Awards during European Green Week.
The awards are managed by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency.
Winners were selected across three categories: nature, circular economy and quality of life, and climate action.
The LIFE Lynx project in Slovenia and Croatia received both the nature award and the Citizens’ Prize.
LIFEPOPWAT won in the circular economy and quality of life category.
LIFE LANDSCAPE FIRE, focused on wildfire prevention in Portugal and Spain, was a finalist in that category.
LIFE DESERT-ADAPT received the award for climate action.
A new Rising Star Recognition was awarded to LIFE RE-ZIP, a Danish packaging reuse initiative.
LIFE Awards are part of the LIFE Programme, the EU’s environmental funding instrument.
Over 6,000 projects have been funded under LIFE since 1992.
The LIFE Programme budget for 2025–2027 is €2.3 billion.