Green Transition Forum in Sofia: Locally led energy and climate action is key for Europe’s resilience

European Committee of the Regions President Kata Tüttő on 4 June called for a stronger, decentralised EU investment policy to support competitiveness, resilience and the green transition, arguing that Europe’s climate goals can only be achieved if local communities and businesses are fully involved.

President Tüttő was speaking in a high-level session of the Green Transition Forum 6.0 in Sofia, alongside the European Commissioner for Environment, Jessica Roswall, and Bulgaria's Minister for Environment, Rositsa Karamfi. The CoR's Green Deal Going Local working group also held its meeting as part of the Forum programme on the same day. 

Intervening in the high-level session on "Circular Industry, Climate Action and Water Resilience – Driving Europe’s Competitive Transition", President Tüttő said: "Europe’s transformation will only succeed if people and local businesses can see themselves in it. Europe’s strength has never been uniformity. It has always been its diversity of solutions. Our climate challenges are growing faster than the resources available to address them. In this environment, involving all generations, especially young people, is a democratic necessity.” 

“Resilience is built through trust, long-term investment, strong communities and the capacity to adapt. That is why I was particularly encouraged to hear Bulgaria reaffirm its commitment to Cohesion Policy in the next EU budget. At a time of growing uncertainty, Europe needs a strong, genuinely European and decentralised investment policy — one that strengthens competitiveness and resilience, supports the Single Market, and unlocks the potential of every territory", the CoR President stressed.

Members of the CoR's Green Deal Going Local working group met in Sofia in the same afternoon. By presenting best practises from Bulgaria and from across Europe, the working group highlighted the role of locally produced renewable energy in accelerating Europe's clean transition, boosting resilience against external shocks and reducing price volatility.

The chair of the Green Deal Going Local working group, Markku Markkula (FI/EPP), member of Espoo City Council, said: "Energy is a strategic issue — one that determines Europe’s ability to act independently and respond effectively to global pressures. In this context, local and regional authorities are on the front line. Across Europe, they have the capacity to develop homegrown energy — producing renewable power locally, where it is consumed. By tapping into local resources, we can build energy systems that are more reliable, affordable and resilient, while ensuring that the benefits of the transition remain within our local communities."

• Re-watch the Green Deal Going Local working group meeting
• Photos from the Green Transition Forum