One month ahead of COP27 - the United Nations Climate Change Conference, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) calls for subnational governments to have a stronger role in global climate negotiations and further recognition of their role in the implementating climate policies. EU cities and regions propose a global system to collect and monitor cities and regions' emissions reductions and calls on Member States and the Council of the EU to unequivocally support the inclusion, within the COP27 conclusions, of the urgent need for multilevel cooperation action and for the full involvement of local and regional authorities in the implementation of the Paris agreement.
Following a summer of massive droughts, floods and fires across the EU and with soaring energy prices, inflation and millions of Europeans threaten to fall into energy poverty this winter, the energy and climate crisis is on top of the discussions at the CoR's October plenary session and the 2022 European Week of Regions and Cities.
Ahead of the UN climate conference that is to kick off in Sharm el-Sheikh on 6 November, CoR members held a plenary debate on the role of subnational authorities at COP27.
Rafał Trzaskowski (PL/EPP), Mayor of Warsaw and new chair of the CoR's ENVE commission and of the Green Deal Going Local working group said: "Thanks to a massive investment in LED lightning on the streets of Warsaw, we reduced energy consumption and public spending. This situation is similar to the other EU cities and regions, they did not wait for the European Green Deal to implement sustainable solutions that make local communities a healthier and better place to live in. We therefore call for direct funds to facilitate the work of local and regional authorities. Furthermore, we call for COP27 to take into account the voice of cities and regions. Citizens' lives can only be improved through bottom-up actions. Therefore, while we are happy that the European Parliament is moving in this direction, we call on Commissioner Timmermans to adopt the same stand and fight for cities and regions to have a strong voice at the UNFCCC negotiation table."
The CoR recalls the pressing need to provide direct funds to cities and regions and unlock sustainable investments to deliver climate action and palliate the socioeconomic impact of the energy crisis, stressing the need to protect the most vulnerable from soaring energy prices while keeping up with the EU's global climate leadership.
The CoR has put forward a series of proposals aiming at strengthening the role of cities and regions in global climate negotiations and the implementation of the Paris agreement.
Olgierd Geblewicz , President of West Pomerania Region and rapporteur of the opinion 'The CoR's role in boosting subnational climate diplomacy ahead of COP27 and COP28', said: "Cities and regions are at the forefront in dealing with the consequences of climate change but also of climate solutions. Local and regional authorities are instruments for citizen engagement and community empowerment, without which will not deliver on the promises of the Paris agreement. We call on the European Commission to engage local and regional authorities as ambassadors of citizens in climate negotiations. As the EU's assembly of cities and regions, we stand ready to become the institution that coordinates subnational climate diplomacy with EU partner countries."
Geblewicz added that a greater role for subnational governments in climate diplomacy can unlock better implementation, stronger and more detailed commitments on climate which are understandable and easier to monitor. Geblewicz said that local and regional authorities were leading by example. His region produced 82% of regional energy consumption from alternative energy. In this regard he said "If we really want to be ambitious, we have to convince neighbours to do the same." He also called for the reconstruction of Ukraine to embrace sustainability.
Markku Markkula, President of the Helsinki Region said that implementation is what matters but also how it is done. "Cities can be and need to be game changers. It not only civil servants and politicians but entire communities including industries, research establishments, educational institutions from schools to universities, all citizens. This is what makes the difference.
Milena Noncheva, City councillor of Montana and EPP-CoR YEP said that her municipality has seen an exceptional growth in the construction of Photovoltaic plants for businesses and households. In the next five years every business and a large part of households will have their own independent energy resources - 100% carbon-free."
Uwe Conradt, Mayor of Saarbrücken said that only than less 5% were representatives of local and regional authorities at COP26. "I call on national governments to engage local delegates in the summit"
Günther Platter, member of the State Government of Tyrol said "We need to address the issue of transport and infrastructure as well as emissions and there is a need to reduce the heavy road transport of goods. Transport of goods by rail would be a solution not only for reducing emissions but as well as avoiding traffic jams. We need to work together to make transport in Europe greener."
Members call on the Council of the EU to formally recognise the pivotal role of subnational governments in accelerating a just climate transition in its COP27 conclusions next month.
The European Parliament's ENVI COP27 resolution voted Monday 3 October a resolution supporting the CoR proposals for a stronger role of cities and regions in the implementation of the Paris agreement.
Notes to editors:
• Webpage of Green Deal Going Local, the CoR initiative to place cities and regions at the heart of the EU's transition towards climate neutrality.