"Local and regional authorities have a fundamental role in implementing environmental policies on the ground. Therefore the Technical Platform for Cooperation on the Environment [a forum set up by the Commission for Environment, Climate Change and Energy at the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and DG ENV aimed at fostering dialogue on local and regional problems and solutions in the application of EU environment law] needs to be included in the new Environment Action Programme (EAP)." Dimitrios Karnavos, Mayor of Kallithea and European Committee of the Regions Rapporteur on the 8th EAP made these remarks during a meeting of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVE) of the European Parliament
Karnavos also spoke about synergies needed in the implementation of the EAP "We need the EU to promote a holistic place-based and area-oriented approach. The EAP needs to take into account the specific challenges and strengths of all communities (not just urban and rural) and interactions with surrounding areas." He added that the EAP should increase the connection between environment policy, climate policy and health and ensure great integration into the budgetary, economic and social actions of the EU.
In his concluding remarks, Karnavos appealed for the green recovery efforts to take into consideration territorial disparities and challenges to ensure that no community is left behind.
Karnavos' opinion was adopted during the 142th CoR Plenary Session held between the 3-5 February. Key proposals in the opinion include:
1. Addressing the inadequate implementation of environmental policies and legislation;
2. Ensuring full participation and cooperation of local and regional authorities in all dimensions of environmental policy-making;
3. Better link between environmental policies and investment in “green” sectors for a “green” recovery;
4. The need to further highlight the link between environmental protection and human health;
5. The need to highlight other typologies beyond urban areas, such as rural, coastal and mountainous areas which have special local environmental characteristics.
6. The need for a new monitoring mechanism that will take into account local and regional authorities in the collection and use of data related to the implementation of environmental policies;
7. The importance of an award system at the European, national, regional and local levels, creating added value for society, citizens and businesses in order to increase their efforts to protect the environment;
8. The important role of “good legislation” for the effective response to the principle “do no harm”.