19/06/2019 (Agence Europe) – At a conference organised by Eurocities on Monday 17 June, speakers insisted that cities and regions be heard in the preparation of National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) before their adoption by the end of the year (see EUROPE 12277/4). In addition, cities are calling on the European Council to adopt as soon as possible an ambitious vision for 2050 to fight climate change, a subject that will be discussed at the European Council on 20 June (see other news). Cities are generally more ambitious than Member States, we are told. Ninety-three percent of cities have emission reduction targets by 2030, and 65% by 2050, according to a Eurocities study based on 73 cities. But only 42% were consulted by national governments on NECPs. (PH)