"Local and regional authorities are fully committed to the green transition and to green recovery. We are convinced that it should happen for the people and with the people, reflecting the needs but also the resources of a given city or a region. We cities and regions can help to build a climate neutral Europe from the bottom up, delivering tangible results on the ground. For this to happen we need multi-level governance and support including direct EU funding. You can count on the local and regional leaders in building a more sustainable Europe." Rafał Trzaskowski, Mayor of Warsaw and European Committee of the Regions (CoR) representative in the Political Board of the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy made these remarks at an online ceremony 'Stepping up action for a fairer, climate-neutral Europe' during which the Covenant Political Board presented the Covenant 'for a fairer, climate-neutral Europe', the new pledge for cities and regions aiming to step up climate ambitions. New signatories commit to reduce their 2030 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at least as much as their respective national target and be consistent with the EU's objective to cut 55% of GHG emissions by 2030 and reach climate-neutrality by 2050.
Following the ceremony, the European Commission and the CoR launched the Chamber of National Ambassadors of the Covenant of Mayors. 10 of the 27 CoR members – one per Member State, that constitute the Chamber of National Ambassadors of the Covenant of Mayors are members of the EPP-CoR group:
Tanya Hristova (BG/EPP), Mayor of Gabrovo
Nikola Dobroslavić (HR/EPP), President of Dubrovnik-Nereteva Region
Markku Markkula (FI/EPP), Chair of the Espoo City Board and President of the Helsinki Region
Apostolos Tzitzikostas (GR/EPP), Governor of Central Macedonia Region
Graziella Galea (MT/EPP), Member of St. Paul's Bay Local Council
Hanna Zdanowska (PL/EPP), Mayor of Łódź
Ricardo Rio (PT/EPP), Mayor of Braga
Emil Boc (RO/EPP), Mayor of Cluj-Napoca
Gregor Macedoni (SL/EPP), Mayor of Novo Mesto
Anders Knape (SE/EPP), Mayor of Karlstad Municipal Council
The list of National Ambassadors of the Covenant of Mayors is downloadable here.
Background information
The Covenant of Mayors was launched in 2008 by the European Commission to support cities and regions in delivering on the EU's 2020 climate and energy targets. The Covenant is now reinforcing its role by aligning its climate pledge to the EU's objective to cut 55% of GHG emissions by 2030 and become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 through a new Chamber of National Ambassadors.
The primary goal of the National Ambassadors of the Covenant of Mayors is to endorse and reinforce the initiative in every Member State, taking part in country-specific activities, reinforcing links and cooperation with Members of the European Parliament and National Governments and establishing contacts with cities and municipalities that could benefit from the technical support and financial guidance and become active agents in delivering climate action.
Reactions from EPP-CoR Ambassadors
Apostolos Tzitzikostas, President of the CoR and Governor of Central Mecedonia, Greece
"Both the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis show us how crucial local and regional governments are in providing rapid responses to global crisis that hit locally first. Together with the European Commission, we are honoured and proud of the success of the Covenant of Mayors because it results from the efforts of thousands of cities, villages, regions and provinces that are committed to accelerate the energy transition and whose citizens are the ones delivering the European Green Deal locally and making it a reality on the ground."
Gregor Macedoni, Mayor of the Municipality of Novo Mesto, Slovenia
"I believe that the Covenant of Mayors is an exceptional framework combining both the global vision and political commitment as well as specific experience and good practices of mayors from across Europe. We need strategies to stay focused on our goals. But most of all, we need action, we need concrete projects, and we need awareness that all our activities in local communities, from energy, infrastructure and mobility to public procurement, agriculture and social affairs should be prepared and carried out taking into account environmental standards and within a global action. Environmental issues should not be a separate field of work."
Anders Knape, Mayor of City of Karlstad, Sweden
“In Sweden 66 municipalities and a couple of regions, representing a large share of the majority of the population, have joined the Covenant. Apart from various national and regional initiatives, this gives a good basis for being active also on an EU-level, exchanging best practices and finding partners for EU-projects”
Emil Boc, Mayor of Cluj-Napoca, Romania
"The digital future of cities must be inclusive and we should all be committed to making sure that the benefits of technology are accessible to all. Every Mayor should think and act green and digital”.
Hanna Zdanowska, Mayor of Łódź, Poland
"The European Green Deal and the Covenant of Mayors are the main drivers of climate neutrality by 2050. Now, we have to implement their respective solutions and tools at national level, which requires involvement of all the stakeholders. As Polish Covenant Ambassador, I take up this challenge as I am convinced that without cooperation at every level - from residents to national governments - we will not be able to recover our economies or achieve the climate targets. We must support each other, use our mutual experience and share our knowledge. The City of Łódź has invaluable experience in the field of revitalisation and the fight against low-stack emissions. We set a knowledge centre for all those facing a similar challenge. As the CoR Covenant Ambassador, I promise to actively support and encourage the involvement of Polish local and regional authorities in sustainable and green initiatives."
Markku Markkula, President Helsinki Region, Chair of the Espoo City Board, Finland
"My focus as the Climate Ambassador OF THE COVENENT OF MAYORS is on the PPPP innovative clean-tech and climate mitigation processes and solutions. My home city (Espoo) aims to be carbon-neutral by 2030. My country (Finland) and my region (Helsinki-Uusimaa Region) have their target year 2035. These decisions mean that we are forerunners in climate mitigation and adaptation measures. Cities and regions can attract and encourage clean-tech and other smart business development. In parallel to reducing the Carbon Footprint, they can collaborate with companies in developing and using new climate-friendly solutions. We call this approach "Carbon Handprint". Actions such as improving energy efficiency, reducing the use of materials, making climate-friendly raw material choices, developing product recyclability, reducing the amount of waste material, lengthening product lifespans, and improving product usability can have a remarkable impact on a product's Carbon Handprint. We aim to have the Carbon Handprint Manual for Cities ready this year, and publish the results in the COP26 in Glasgow."
Tanya Hristova, Mayor of Gabrovo, Bulgaria
"Being a mayor of Bulgarian city which is a member of the Covenant of Mayors for almost a decade gave me the capacity and confidence to develop and implement an ambitious sustainable energy plan and now we are recognized as the first Bulgarian European Green Leaf City 2021. Becoming a National Ambassador of the Covenant-Europe Initiative gives me confidence that we can join efforts to accelerate the decarbonisation of our territories and to work for our citizens to have access to secure, sustainable and affordable energy. Thus we will achieve our shared European vision to undergo our green transition and become the first carbon-neutral continent by 2050."
Graziella Galea, St. Paul’s Bay Local Councillor, Malta
"Local councils, as the level of governance which is most trusted and closest to the people, can engage local communities to contribute to the EU's climate ambitions. Regional cooperation may also be necessary. As National Covenant Ambassador coming from the most populated town in Malta, I am committed to raise more awareness on the need of local climate action. Furthermore, I will push for direct EU funding to help local councils create the much needed green spaces in urban environments and for local councils to be further engaged in national projects concerning waste management. Local authorities should be supported in their efforts to get the necessary backing for the different initiatives that can be proposed."
Nikola Dobroslavić, President of Dubrovnik-Neretva, Croatia
"In order to mitigate climate change, we must work together and commit to change. That is why the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy is such an important tool. In the Republic of Croatia, 70 cities and municipalities joined the Covenant of Mayors. The Covenant goals go in line with a common vision of the Dubrovnik-Neretva Region, its cities and municipalities. As a member of the CoR and especially as a President and resident of Dubrovnik-Neretva Region, I am extremely proud that our nine municipalities are among the first in Croatia to join this important initiative. Local authorities fight climate change at the level closest to the citizens, and their efforts and plans need to be further strengthened and updated by 2030. Therefore, it is necessary to activate technological and financial resources, as well as expertise, to enhance local efforts. It is necessary to constantly encourage investment and innovation and to gain greater support and participation from the community through as many active participants in the energy transition."
Ricardo Rio, Mayor of Braga
"The SDGs can be tools to ensure coherence among policies, strengthen all levels of governance, engage communities in climate action and to give more capacity to LRAs which are key to achieve climate goals. LRAs lead by example but also by results."