EU regions and cities turn focus to climate crisis and agricultural policies

The July plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), which will take place in Brussels on 2-3 July – a few days before the presentation of the European Commission’s proposal for the new EU long-term budget – will turn a strong focus to policy areas vital to Europe's sustainable and resilient future. The principal debates cover sustainable tourism, the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) beyond 2027, Europe’s water resilience strategy, and the upcoming United Nations climate conference in Brazil.

European Commissioners  Apostolos Tzitzikostas  (responsible for sustainable transport and tourism), Christophe Hansen (agriculture and food), and Jessika Roswall (environment and water resilience) will meet with CoR members to discuss the role that local and regional governments can play in tackling deeply inter-connected challenges – from building sustainable food systems to safeguarding natural resources and promoting climate resilience. Ana Toni, who is heading Brazil's preparations for the UN COP30 Climate Conference in Belém, will discuss the priorities and prospects for international agreements on climate-change mitigation and adaptation in November and the role of cities and regions in limiting climate change. 

The CoR will also adopt a series of related recommendations, set out in opinions on support for the wine sector, agricultural market regulations, a vision for agriculture and food, the Clean Industrial Deal, and mobilising investment for the green transition. Other opinions focus on ensuring inter-generational fairness in policymaking, upgrading cybersecurity in healthcare systems across the EU, simplifying and improving EU rules, and reforming the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund created by the EU to help workers who lose their jobs as a result of major structural changes in world trade and the economy.

Follow a webstream of the plenary by going to the CoR website and, on social media, by using the hash-tag #CoRplenary.

KEY DEBATES

2 July, 3.05 p.m.: Debate on sustainable tourism, with Apostolos Tsitzikostas, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism.

2 July, 4.05 p.m.: Debate on Post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), with Christophe Hansen, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food.

2 July, 5.05 p.m.: Debate on water resilience, with Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy.

3 July, 10.05 a.m.: Debate on UN Climate Change Conference 2025 in Belém, Brazil (COP30), with Ana Toni, CEO of the Brazil's COP30 Presidency, and Antonio Decaro (IT/S&D), Chair of the ENVI committee in the European Parliament. 

OPINIONS FOR ADOPTION

·       'More than funding: local and regional authorities mobilising public and private resources for an effective follow-up on the Clean Transition Dialogues on the ground.' Rapporteur: Asa Agren Wikström (SE/EPP), member of Västerbotten County Council.

·       'The Clean Industrial Deal.' Rapporteur: William Elofsson (SE/EPP), second deputy mayor of Gävle Municipality.

·       'Intergenerational Fairness: A Local and Regional Approach to Building Inclusive and Sustainable Societies.' Rapporteur: Tine Radinja (SL/Greens), mayor of Škofja Loka.

·       'Climate Action implementation in view of the EU contribution to UNFCCC COP30.' Rapporteur: Nadia Pellefigue (FR/PES), vice-president of the Region of Occitanie.

·       'Vision for agriculture and food.' Rapporteur: Joke Schauvliege (BE/EPP), member of the Flemish Parliament.

·       'Market regulations and support measures in the wine sector.' Roberto Ciambetti (IT/ECR), member of the Veneto Regional Council.

·       'Cybersecurity of hospitals and healthcare providers.' Rapporteur: Daniela Cîmpean (RO/EPP), president of Sibiu County Council.

·       'A simpler and faster Europe.' Rapporteur: Jelena Drenjanin (SE/EPP), member of Huddinge Municipality Council.

·       'Revision of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund.' Rapporteur: Christophe Rouillon (FR/PES), mayor of Coulaines.

Practical information: 

Location: Paul Henri Spaak building – Hemicycle, European Parliament, Brussels

Date: Wednesday, 2 July – Thursday, 3 July 2025.

Background material: Plenary agenda and opinions and amendments.

Webstreaming: On the website of the CoR.

Contact:

PresseCdr@cor.europa.eu