NECPlatform: Achieving EU climate and energy goals requires more multilevel governance

To implement the Green Deal and other key elements of the EU legislation, the EU and Member States must work hand in hand with local and regional partners. This was the conclusion of the LIFE-funded NECPlatform project and overarching thematic of the high-level event hosted at the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) on 18 March. 

The Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action mandates Member States to set up multilevel energy and climate dialogues, especially in the drafting of National Energy and Climate Plans – meaning that all levels of governance should have a role in their preparation. But this is on paper: the sad truth is that many Member States struggle to put the regulation into practice and set up to inclusive multilevel dialogues. The NECPlatform LIFE-funded project gathered 11 speakers who stressed the importance of strengthening multilevel governance when revising the Governance Regulation, and to ensure support is provided for its implementation.

On March 18, over a hundred participants met at the European Committee of the Regions in Brussels, gathered by the NECPlatform project to discuss multilevel governance and hear from good practices at various levels. Urszula Zielinska, Secretary of State of the Polish Ministry of Climate and Environment opened the ceremony, highlighting that to be well-coordinated across all level of governance take patience and willingness, needed to address needs and uphold EU values and goals: everyone should feel include and every voice heard. “Cooperation between the various levels is what allows to find solutions”.

Joško Klisović (HR/PES), president of Zagreb City Assembly and member of the CoR, moderated the event and emphasised that "Multilevel governance is key to achieving our energy and climate goals. Local and regional authorities are on the frontlines of this transition. They make homes energy-efficient and help businesses go green. In Croatia, for example, cities and regions are leading reconstruction efforts after devastating earthquakes, yet they often lack direct access to the necessary funds and support. Our commitment is not just words—it’s real action on the ground. Strengthening multilevel governance means giving local leaders the resources they need to rebuild sustainably and drive lasting change." 

Read the full press release on the NECPlatform website.