Local and regional leaders call for direct engagement and resources to ensure a sustainable recovery during EPP Local Dialogue in Seville.
"Our economy, whose main activities are focused on agriculture and tourism, is highly dependent on climate. The fight against climate change in a way that respects economic development of regions must be the driving force behind government action at all levels, especially regional governments, and Andalusia is an example of this. We have assumed an ambitious and unprecedented commitment to Climate Action and we are committed to continue leading the Andalusian "Green Revolution". Juanma Moreno, President of the Region of Andalusia and President of the Partido Popular of Andalusia made these remarks during an EPP Local Dialogue organised today in Seville, Spain.
EPP local and regional leaders together with national and European elected representatives discussed the importance of multi-level governance to successfully implement the European Climate Law which is expected to be adopted by the European Parliament tomorrow. Juanma Moreno served as the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) Rapporteur with his opinion on the Commission's proposal calling for genuine participatory multilevel dialogue based on regional and local experiences, for direct funding and community engagement.
Addressing the EPP Local Dialogue was also Olgierd Geblewicz, President of the EPP-CoR Group who said that local and regional leaders are the driving force in implementing green transition being responsible for 90% of climate adaptation measures and 70% of climate mitigation policies. Speaking on the important role of cities and regions in managing one third of public spending and two thirds of public investment, Geblewicz, said "Public procurement is a very powerful instrument in our hands to make change possible on the ground."
Geblewicz, who is President of the Westpomerania Region (Poland) said that the EPP is leading climate friendly transformations in regions, cities and villages through concrete projects. He called for more resources through direct funding to make cities greener, improve air and water quality, provide citizens with sustainable public transport solutions and improve energy efficiency of public buildings while offering new opportunities for local SMEs. He lauded Andalucia as a clear example of the transformative power of regions, power that provides a better and more sustainable future for its inhabitants.
The EPP Local Dialogue was opened by Apostolos Tzitzikostas, President of the CoR who called on every EPP regional and local leader to continue to deliver smart, green projects that create long-term jobs. Referring to recovery funds he said "How funds are spent must be decided between national and regional governments in partnership. Centralisation will slow our recovery. Europe will recover, only when its regions and cities recover. So It is time to invest and to invest together."
Tzitzikostas, who is Governor of Central Macedonia (Greece) also spoke on the importance of constant dialogue with citizens in every village, town, city and region across Europe, especially in the context of the Conference on the Future of Europe. "Too many citizens see the EU as distant, slow and unresponsive and that it was time to change that. Our Committee’s strong delegation will represent Europe's 1 million local and regional leaders in the Conference, to whom the people have invested their trust through their vote. We will honour your trust as we are your voice and together, we will make our Union more democratic, efficient and accountable. We will bring Europe closer to its citizens. We can, and we will, do it together."
José María García Urbano, Mayor of Estepona and member of the CoR said that the Green Revolution must start with cities. "We have a challenge to develop cities into more habitable and sustainable places, that achieve a better quality of life for generations. Cities must grow in a controlled manner. Density of construction of new homes and their occupation of space within the cities must be limited. Nevertheless, we must ask ourselves if the current model, to build compacted cities, is the most efficient one."
Concluding the EPP Local Dialogue was Antonio López-Istúriz White, Secretary General of the European People’s Party and MEP who said "Climate change is a global problem that requires regional and local solutions. It also requires EPP solutions. We are the only political force in Europe that can provide a strategic vision. Others present utopian or populist proposals offering easy answers but not real solutions. Climate change denial and scepticism is also futile. We, the EPP, take action. A very good example is the region of Andalusia under the leadership of Juanma Moreno. It has embraced the opportunities of the sustainable transition and launched a true “Green Revolution”, encouraging local businesses and entrepreneurs to bring innovative solutions and generate new jobs."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu1kwEdJteE