Energy crisis, zero pollution and the outcomes of the United Nations climate talks (COP27) in Sharm el-Sheikh were the key points on the agenda of the ENVE commission meeting which also hosted the 2022 Transformative Action Award ceremony.
From UNFCCC COP27 to COP28
Despite COP27's agreement on a new loss and damage fund, the UN climate talks in Sharm el-Sheikh saw no substantial increase in climate commitments. While greenhouse gas emissions keep rising, cities and regions worldwide – united under the Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) constituency to the UN, took over climate leadership at COP27 to defend their role in delivering climate action.
During a debate on the outcomes of COP27, Rafał Trzaskowski (PL/EPP), Mayor of Warsaw and chair of the ENVE commission and of the Green Deal Going Local working group, said: "I welcome the fact that cities and regions were recognised as "instrumental to broaden climate action and respond to climate change" in COP27 conclusions, however I reiterate my call for their formal inclusion in the UNFCCC process. With the lack of action at the international or national levels, local and regional authorities lead by example setting more ambitious goals for climate neutrality transforming local communities into more sustainable, healthier and more attractive places to live. That is why, in line with their legal responsibilities, cities and regions need direct EU funding and fast-track access to additional funds via the REPowerEU chapters in the Recovery and Resilience Plan."
Local and regional authorities in energy crisis
The war against Ukraine has wide-ranging implications on the energy market: energy prices are rising and energy security is at risk. Building on the Green Deal and the 'Fit for 55' package, REPowerEU defines measures to rapidly reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels and fast forward the green transition, while increasing EU energy system resilience. In line with REPowerEU, the European Parliament adopted a 45% by 2030 target for the share of renewables in the EU's final energy consumption, and increased the energy savings targets to 40% of final and 42.5% of primary energy consumption.
Hanna Zdanowska (PL/EPP), Mayor of Lodz said: "In times of energy crisis local authorities have to stick together. It will give us more power to overcome daily problems on providing services to our residents. We need to raise awareness amongst the citizens about energy saving possibilities and work closely with all the relevant stakeholders. Two weeks ago I organised in Lodz a Round Table on Energy where we discussed the most urgent and needed legal changes as well as best practices to solve energy problems of local and regional authorities (LRAs) in coming months. I encourage LRAs in other EU countries to organise similar meetings.
Zero Pollution Package and future Environment initiatives
During the ENVE commission meeting, Åsa Ågren Wikström (SE/EPP), Member of Västerbotten County Council who was appointed rapporteur on the Review of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, spoke against the "one size fits all" approach and called for EU funding to help local and regional authorities in implementing concrete projects on collection, treatment and discharge of urban waste water.
The Directive is an opportunity to develop an ambitious, innovative, supportive and straight-forward new policy framework enabling operators to meet the Green Deal goals and make waste water collection, treatment and management affordable to all areas of Europe.
Markku Markkula, (FI/EPP), Member of Espoo City Council and President of the Helsinki Region highlighted that: "We need practical examples on dealing with soil, water and air quality and empower local action. We also need information on financing linked to EU Missions and to be able to show that it is possible to achieve the zero-pollution target and to address these challenges at local and regional level. Markkula underlined that we need to move from a silos approach to a more holistic one working together in partnership.
ENVE Commission Work Programme for 2023
Borboly Csaba (RO/EPP), President of Harghita County Council drew the attention to the fact that the coexistence with large carnivores in whole Europe is still a very relevant topic and issues have continued to increase tension and conflict with regard to the co-existence between livestock owners and rural dwellers: "I believe that after the European Parliament voted for a resolution on the protection of livestock farming and large carnivores in Europe, the CoR's contribution is necessary and it would be opportune to elaborate a new opinion on the topic of the coexistence with large carnivores in Europe."