The key role of cities and regions to fulfil European Green Deal ambitions and engage citizens in climate action were the main points raised by EPP-CoR members during a debate with Virginijus Sinkevičius, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries on raising ambition and stronger governance on climate action.
Sinkevičius spoke on the key role of Local and Regional Authorities (LRAs) in making the EU Green Deal ambitions a reality. "Your role is crucial as every day you are the ones closest to people. People can relate to you and ask you questions. Thanks to you, they feel that they have a direct role in changing policies. This is what can motivate them to be supportive of the European Green Deal."
Hanna Zdanowska, Mayor of the City of Łódź said that the EU has had a leading role to protect climate but called for engagement of LRAs. "To address climate change we need cooperation of cities and regions as they are the foundation of the European Green Deal." Zdanowska added that climate ambitions put special pressure on municipalities and cities and will become a reality only if citizens become partners of decision makers.
Rastislav Trnka, Chairman of Košice Self – Governing Region said that the success of the European Green Deal depends to a large extent on LRAs. "We know that climate actions are implemented by cities and regions. On the other hand, we need to be supported by citizens. We LRAs as the level closest to the people are the best suited to obtain this support". Trnka referred to actions taken in his region including the introduction of the first Slovak hydrogen bus which the region would like to deploy on roads.
Georgios Chatzimarkos, Governor of South Aegean Region said that in order to have territorial cohesion special attention must be given to island regions. "I represent over 50 islands and believe that we have to take into account the specific situation of islands and the impact of climate change on these territories. There should be equal opportunities for island regions to fulfil the ambitions of the European Green Deal." he concluded.
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