On Wednesday 29 May, Europe’s regions and cities presented their recommendations for improving and renewing the ‘European Green Deal’, at an event organised by the European Committee of the Regions as part of the ‘Green Deal Going Local’ initiative (see EUROPE 12506/16). The report “Regions and cities shaping the European Green Deal 2.0” was presented in the presence of representatives of the Climate Pact and the Covenant of Mayors. The Executive Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for the ‘Green Deal’, Maroš Šefčovič, also took part in the meeting.
At the end of this term of office, and after more than 78 opinions and resolutions on various aspects of the Deal since 2019, the Committee of the Regions is ready to draw conclusions. To this end, in 2023, a forward-looking study was launched, based on an in-depth analysis and consultation of the regional hubs.
There are 29 key recommendations, grouped into five main themes, which should form the pillars of the renewed agenda of the ‘European Green Deal’. These include developing a long-term sustainability strategy, improving the coordination of European funds for the green and digital transitions, and strengthening the EU’s leading role in the global transition. The report also calls for a reformed cohesion policy to fill the investment gap of the ‘Green Deal’.
The ‘Green Deal 2.0’ aims to promote sustainable competitiveness, strategic autonomy and green innovation, while eradicating social inequalities.
Kata Tüttö, Deputy Mayor of Budapest (Hungary) and Vice-President of the ENVE Committee of the European Committee of the Regions, believes that if “going green is the only way forward”, this transition may pose difficulties for “cities and (...) regions, (difficulties) that risk exacerbating existing inequalities or creating new ones”. “Our task is therefore to implement the ‘European Green Deal’ with a strong social dimension, transforming fear into hope and decline into growth”.
The document therefore sets out the need to give regions and cities the tools and resources they need to achieve ambitious targets. It also recommends maintaining a high level of ambition, in line with scientific requirements, and adapting policies to constantly evolving challenges.
The Mayor of Warsaw (Poland) and President of the ENVE Committee, Rafał Trzaskowski, stressed the key role of local authorities in implementing climate policies: “We are responsible for 70% of mitigation measures and 90% of adaptation policies. No one can succeed without us, the local and regional authorities”.
For his part, at the end of the discussions, Maroš Šefčovič welcomed what he described as a valuable contribution, pointing out that “it is at the lower level that the bulk of the work is done”. “We will continue to mobilise as many financial resources as possible to help local governments”, he added, assuring them of his desire to continue the close collaboration undertaken “over several years” on the implementation of the ‘European Green Deal’.
Read the report: https://aeur.eu/f/ceu (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)