EU cities and regions are urging to accelerate action at all levels of government for a more sustainable future by aligning the climate objectives, biodiversity targets and sustainable development goals (SDGs). In its draft opinion, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) underlines that these global frameworks are substantially interconnected and should be tackled in synergy, from local to global level.
The two co-rapporteurs – ENVE chair, Mayor of Warsaw Rafal Trzaskowski (PL/EPP) and vice-chair, Deputy Mayor of Budapest Kata Tüttö (HU/PES) – pointed out that the European Green Deal can serve as a model for global level in terms of multilevel action for sustainable development and against climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and land degradation. However, there is a need to further increase support to local and regional authorities, including by providing direct financing, to boost their involvement and inclusion, and to improve their capacities for monitoring, reporting and implementation.
ENVE chair Rafal Trzaskowski said: “There is need to create stronger synergies between the Rio Conventions, the Agenda 2030 and other global commitments that address the triple planetary crises. This opinion also highlights the need to further create alliances between the global UN agendas and the European Green Deal, putting subnational authorities at the core of a Global Green Deal with the aim of joining efforts and multiplying the results of the Agenda 2030, the Paris Agreement, and the Global Biodiversity Framework at local level”
The opinion is set for final adoption at the plenary session in June. It will outline EU cities’ and regions’ recommendations for this year’s key international conferences, in which the CoR will participate: the climate COP29 in Azerbaijan (11-22 November), the biodiversity COP16 in Colombia (21 October-1 November) and the UN Summit for Future in New York (22-23 September).
Communicating Green Deal
Communicating Green Deal policies to citizens was another key item on the ENVE meeting agenda on 11 April, two months ahead of the European elections. In the debate with leaders and representatives of various European think-thanks, members pointed out that the recent farmers’ protests serve as a warning that without public support green policies in key sectors risk stalling.
Markku Markkula, President of the Helsinki-UUsimaa Region said "We do not have the necessary technologies for the transition yet. Concerning best practices, the 100 European cities that pledged themselves to the Cities Mission should be our role models and show us how to succeed in the transition. Organisational learning is the key to go further."
Members underlined the need to accompany Green Deal policies by supporting measures and adequate mechanisms to protect the most vulnerable, considering the different strengths and challenges of EU regions and cities. Giving local communities a stronger voice in the design and governance of the Green Deal would also help in this regard, speakers argued.
Members of the ENVE Commission appointed ENVE chair and Mayor of Warsaw Rafal Trzaskowski to participate at the UN Summit of the Future on 22-23 September in New York and Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, President of Andalusia to the Climate COP 29 that will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan between 11-22 November 2024.
