EU regions and cities team up with the UNEP to accelerate multilevel climate and environment action

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have signed a Joint Action Plan to strengthen the capacities and boost the international cooperation of local and regional authorities under CoR with subnational governments worldwide to address the triple planetary crisis.

On 28 March, the CoR President Kata Tüttő met with the UNEP Executive Director lnger Andersen to discuss the next steps in the implementation of the Joint Action Plan, which aims to boost cooperation of the two parties in the fields of climate mitigation and adaptation, environmental pollution, nature restoration and protection of biodiversity. 

The action plan supports the engagement of local and regional governments in the implementation of international climate and environment agreements, conventions and frameworks, in the localization of Sustainable Development Goals and in UNEP decision-making processes. It envisages co-organised events and joint actions that will also allow to disseminate and discuss relevant UNEP initiatives with local and regional politicians in the EU. 

Kata Tüttő, President of the European Committee of the Regions, said: "Europe is the fastest-warming continent in the world, and cities and regions are on the frontline against the direct impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. In the EU, local and regional authorities are responsible for implementing 70% of climate mitigation measures, and 90% of climate adaptation policies. By working together with the UNEP, our aim is to advance the full recognition of their contribution at the European level and on the international stage, especially in view of the next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to be submitted for the COP30 in Brazil."

Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), said: "Regions and cities across Europe are already demonstrating strong environment leadership and are tailoring sustainable solutions to local realities. The Committee of the Regions is key in engaging with local governments, localising the Sustainable Development Goals and integrating European and global environmental goals into every day city life."

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The Joint Action Plan between the CoR and the UNEP was signed in January 2025. It sets out the cooperation framework for the period 2025-2030, based on the Memorandum of Understanding between the CoR and UNEP signed in 2012. With the aim to strengthen cooperation between subnational governments, the CoR also has joint action plans with ICLEI, Regions4, Under2 Coalition and Climate-KIC.