Addressing climate change through place-based solutions, putting the SDG’s back in the centre of the EU’s policies and linking them to innovation, targeted communication with citizens to accelerate the transition towards climate-neutrality and the creation of a platform for cooperation and exchange of knowledge to feed into COP26. These were the main objectives discussed by EPP-CoR members during the 5th online meeting of the Green Deal Going Local working group.
Regional Green Deal workshops
Hanna Zdanowska, Mayor of Łódź spoke about regional Green Deal workshops being organised in Poland. She said that there is no one size fits all solutions for climate challenges and policies need to be place-based taking into account socio-cultural realties. In this regard, Zdanowska said that a series of debates will be held in collaboration with the European Commission representation in Poland and the CoR to promote the European Green Deal. These will engage experts and municipalities to address climate challenges that have no borders. Topics which will be discussed include the renovation wave, urban transport and the New European Bauhaus. In her remarks, Zdanowska also emphasised the need to invest in training for local officials to implement the European Green Deal and for the optimal use of EU funds.
Green Deal in the EU – delivering the SDGs by 2030
Regarding the implementation of the SDGs, Ricardo Rio, Mayor of Braga, said that the SDGs need to regain momentum and must be integrated in other EU policies to ensure policy coherence and effective implementation. "We have observed a gradual decline of the SDGs' centrality in the EU’s narrative. This is the moment to give a boost to the SDGs and reinstate them at the core of the EU directives and policies.”
Markku Markkula, Chair of the Espoo City Board and President of the Helsinki Region said that the SDGs need to be more visible in European Commission policies and called for a more holistic approach. He added that villages, cities and regions play a key role in implementing the SDGs but this required partnership with industries and making use of recovery funds to achieve the targets. Markkula concluded by saying that global objectives have to be translated into local realities and that the SDGs must be linked to innovation.
Green Deal in the EU neighbourhood – renewed partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood
Agnès Rampal, Vice President of the Métropole Nice-Côte d’Azur and member of Region Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Regional Council said "Never has the Mediterranean been faced with so many challenges, which we will only be able to address if all the countries bordering the basin work together. Cooperation through the European Green Deal within the framework of a renewed Partnership with the southern neighbourhood is key for the wellbeing of inhabitants of the countries bordering the Mediterranean today and for future generations. To do this, strengthening of cooperation between local and regional authorities as part of a macro-regional Euro-Mediterranean strategy is vital."
CoR campaign on the European Green Deal
Members approved the CoR political and communication campaign on the European Green Deal. Welcoming the campaign, Michael Murphy, Councillor of Tipperary County Council and ECON chair said "We need to raise awareness of citizens about the European Green Deal and seize the opportunities we have at the EU level, especially in terms of financing, to make our villages, cities and regions greener and more sustainable."
Green Deal at a global level – Europe's 2030 climate targets towards COP26
Hanna Zdanowska, Mayor of Łódź said that the common goal of climate neutrality can only be achieved through unity. She added that change starts at local communities and hence the Glasgow summit should recognise the achievements of local governments. Speaking on her role as ambassador of the Chamber of the Covenant of Mayors, Zdanowska said that she will be organising a local government climate summit in Łódź. She said "I want to create a platform for cooperation, exchange of knowledge and experience between decision-makers, experts, local authorities, non-governmental organizations, business and residents. The solutions and recommendations developed during such a local summit in the field of air quality, green spaces and sustainable transport will be an important starting point for talks at the global forum during COP26."