COP28: World's subnational governments stand united for an ambitious outcome

​​​EU regions and cities at the COP28: Follow the liveblog for daily updates

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) carries the voice of EU cities and regions to the UNFCCC COP28 climate conference taking place from 30 November to 12 December in Dubai (United Arab Emirates). Joining forces with worldwide networks of local and regional authorities, the CoR delegation​ will advocate for increased involvement of local and regional governments in the implementation of international climate agreements and the recognition of their leadership in accelerating and broadening climate action. These views are supported by the official EU negotiating position and the European Parliament.​

On 30 November, the Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) Constituency, which is the voice of subnational governments in the UNFCCC process, presented its joint position endorsed by more than 65 entities across the world. The LGMA Position Paper for COP28 was prepared with leadership from ICLEI, the European Committee of the Regions, Regions4, and the Under2 Coalition. Key messages include boosting the role of local and regional governments in achieving the Paris agreement goals, integrating subnational action into national climate goals and plans, and improving access to sustainable financial mechanisms for both climate mitigation and adaptation.

"The year 2023 has shown that the climate crisis is the biggest challenge of our generation, underscoring the urgent need for ambitious mitigation and adaptation action at COP28 in Dubai. The European Union has recognised that local and regional governments must play a key role in translating global climate goals into tangible, localised actions. For this, they need to be provided with the adequate financial and technical support. The European Committee of the Regions welcomes the LGMA joint position for COP28 as a way to strengthen, coordinate and amplify subnational voices around the globe, with the objective to make multilevel action a reality in UNFCCC processes," said Apostolos Tzitzikostas, First Vice-President of the CoR and Governor of Central Macedonia, in the joint press release.

The COP28 opens with the World Climate Action Summit which for the first time includes a delegation of 12 mayors from across the globe, among them Warsaw Mayor and ENVE chair Rafał Trzaskowski. The United Arab Emirates presidency is also organising the first ever Local Climate Action Summit on 1-2 December, where both Mr Trzaskowski and Mr Tzitzikostas will take the floor.

“EU cities and regions consider that the UAE presidency's initiative to host the first Local Climate Action Summit is an important step towards recognizing subnational governments' efforts against the climate emergency and improving their access to financing", Mr Trzaskowski said in the organisers' press release. “Local and regional governments across the world are united to drive ambitious action, and this must be reflected in the final COP28 outcome."

Key dates and events (daily updates on CoR COP28 liveblog​):

​1 December: World Climate Action Summit (WCAS)
For the first time ever, a delegation of 12 Mayors will participate in the WCAS opening, alongside Heads of State, Heads of United Nations and related organizations, following an invitation from COP28 President-Designate Sultan Al Jaber and UN Special Envoy Michael R. Bloomberg.

1-2 December: Local Climate Action Summit (LCAS).
The COP28 Local Climate Action Summit on 1 and 2 December will be the first Summit hosted by a COP Presidency in acknowledgement of the pivotal role of local leaders in decreasing emissions, addressing climate risks, and serving as a catalyst for national efforts on climate progress. Discussions will be centred on climate finance, enhancing resilience and adaptation at the local level, strengthening global action, and expediting the energy transition.

​3 December: 18th Global Forum on Human Settlements (GFHS 2023)
With the title "Green, Fair and Smart Urban Transformation: Synergistically Accelerating 1.5°C Goal and SDGs", GFHS 2023 will explore the strategies to leverage opportunities stemming from carbon neutrality and the digital economy. CoR speakers will present measures put in place in their cities to promote resource use efficiency and circularity.

​3 December: Global Covenant of Mayors Board (GCoM) meeting.
ENVE Chair Rafał Trzaskowski is joining other GCoM Board members to gain a deeper insight into the workings of the largest alliance for city climate leadership and to engage in discussions about future potential collaborative activities.

​5 December: Localising energy: cities and companies teaming up for local energy transition
Organised by the with European Commission's DG ENER, this side event will explore successful public-private partnerships for energy efficiency, distributed energy solutions, and urban transport. Follow the discussion here at 12:00-13:30 UAE time / 9:00-10:30 CET.

​5 December: Decentralised power: Cities rethinking the future of energy in Ukraine and beyond (online event)
This online discussion (14:30-15:30 in UAE, 11:30-12:30 CET) organised by CoR, DG ENER and Covenant of Mayors will focus on the work of the Alliance of Cities and Regions for the Reconstruction of Ukraine in the field of energy transition. Register here!

​6 December: Ministerial Meeting on Urbanisation and Climate Change
Co-hosted by the COP28 Presidency, UN-Habitat and the High-Level Champion for COP28, the Ministerial is the high-level event of the Multilevel Action Day on 6 December. The CoR delegation will join Inger Andersen, Under-Secretary-General of the UN and Executive Director of UNEP, ministers of housing, urban development, environment and finance, other local and regional leaders, and representatives of financial institutions to reinforce mechanisms for multilevel climate action and identify and strengthen levers to increase and accelerate deployment of climate finance for cities and local governments.

​6 December: Subnational governments' leadership in driving implementation of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
This side event is co-organised by the CoR, the Under2 Coalition and Regions4 in partnership with GIZ, the NAP global network and the Scottish Government. It takes stock of the messages in the LGMA position for COP28 and highlights experiences with multilevel governance and collaboration between LRAs and national governments on defining and implementing NDCs and NAPs.

​6 December: Adaptation beyond borders: an EU Mission towards climate resilience (online event)
Co-organised by the CoR and the European Commission DG CLIMA, this online event (13:00-14:00 in UAE, 10:00-11:00 CET) highlights the EU Horizon Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change as an innovative initiative that brings European regions and local actors together to address climate change adaptation challenges. Register here!

​6 December: Local Green Deals: implementing the Green Deal Industrial Plan at local level (online event)
Co-organised by the CoR, ICLEI Europe, and the European Commission (DG GROW), this online event (18:00-19:00 in UAE, 15:00-16:00 CET) brings together the mayors of Braga (Portugal), Aalborg (Denmark) and Skellefteå (Sweden), along with representatives from the private sector. They will discuss opportunities and challenges for urban green transition, and learn about the work of the CoR's Green Deal Going Local Working Group. Register here!

​7 December: CoR meeting with global networks: towards COP29
At halfway point of the COP28, the CoR delegation will convene with representatives from various networks within the Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) Constituency. The purpose of this meeting is to articulate a collective stance on the ongoing negotiations and to initiate discussions on shared actions to be pursued in 2024, in preparation for COP29, which is scheduled to be held in Europe.

​9 December: Briefing with EU Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra and Spanish Minister Teresa Ribera
European Commissioner for Climate Wopke Hoekstra and Spanish Minister for Environment Teresa Ribera will brief the CoR, European Parliament and EESC delegations on the latest state of play of the negotiations.

​11 December: Tackling the twin crises of climate and biodiversity loss: ambition and action from subnational governments to build resilience
This event organised by the CoR in the EU Pavilion at 12:00-13:30 UAE time will highlight how to enhance synergies between the biodiversity and climate agendas is crucial for the achievement of the Paris goals. Register here to follow the discussion onsite or online!

​CoR delegation to the COP28:

• Apostolos Tzitzikostas (EL/EPP), First Vice-President of the European Committee of the Regions, Governor of Central Macedonia Region, Greece. Greek Ambassador of the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy
• Rafał Trzaskowski (PL/EPP), Mayor of Warsaw. Poland. Chair of the CoR's ENVE commission and Green Deal Going Local Working Group and CoR Rapporteur on 'UNFCCC COP28: the role of subnational authorities in keeping climate ambition on track' .
• Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla (ES/EPP), President of the Region of Andalusia, Spain. CoR rapporteur on 'European Green Deal and Health'.
• Alison Gilliland (IE/PES), Dublin City Councillor, Ireland. CoR Rapporteur on 'Towards a structural inclusion of Cities and Regions in UNFCCC COP27'.
• Vincent Chauvet (FR/Renew Europe), Mayor of Autun, France. Member of the CoR's Green Deal Going Local Working Group, Climate Pact Ambassador and CoR rapporteur on 'Stepping up Europe's 2030 climate ambition towards COP26'.
• Oldřich Vlasák (CZ/ECR), Councillor of the City of Hradec Králové, Czechia. CoR rapporteur on  'Proposal for a Regulation on minimum requirements for water reuse'.
• Niina Ratilainen (FI/The Greens), Member of Turku City Council, Finland. Climate Pact Ambassador.
• Andries Gryffroy (BE/EA), Member of the Flemish Parliament, Belgium. Climate Pact Ambassador, Belgian Ambassador of the Covenant of Mayors and CoR Rapporteur on 'Fostering the potential and synergies of EU Green Deal initiatives for regions and cities'.

Contact:

Lauri Ouvinen

Tel. +32 473536887

lauri.ouvinen@cor.europa.eu