Regions and cities call for systematic transformation to reach climate neutrality and expect the COP29 to advance multilevel action

Regions and cities suggest that the EU’s climate policy needs a change of mindset to promote innovation, to mobilise private and public investment and to engage citizens on the path to climate neutrality. Local and regional leaders adopted today in Espoo, Finland, a new set of policy recommendations drafted by Markku Markkula (FI/EPP), President of Helsinki Region, and endorsed the joint position of world’s subnational governments for the COP29 climate conference.

 The draft opinion of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) regrets that the implementation of the European Green Deal remains insufficient and too fragmented, failing to effectively leverage the best global scientific and practical knowledge. It calls for the new European Commission to lead systematic transformation where cities and regions have a leading role in accelerating innovation, engaging citizens for change and promoting sustainable production and consumption habits.

In line with the CoR’s Green Deal 2.0 report, the draft opinion presented by Mr Markkula underscores the necessity of establishing new mechanisms to mobilize substantial private investment and to enhance the effectiveness of EU’s cohesion and Horizon funds in supporting climate initiatives. Regions and cities also stress that increasing RDI financing and public-private collaboration is necessary to scale up the use of existing technologies and developing new ones for achieving climate neutrality. The opinion is set for final adoption at the plenary session in November.

Members of the CoR’s Commission for Environment, Climate Change and Energy (ENVE) also endorsed the common position of world’s subnational governments for the COP29 climate conference, to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November. The CoR has been in the lead in drafting the policy requests that have been agreed between key international networks and were officially published in New York this week.

The Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) constituency, which represents cities and regions at international climate negotiations, expects the COP29 to advance multilevel action and agree on an ambitious New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance that enables a just, equitable and a well-funded transition across all levels of government including direct access for local and other subnational governments. Subnational governments are also calling to align the climate, nature, pollution and sustainable development agendas and to ensure the inclusion of cities and regions in the revision of the Nationally Determined Contributions, due by COP30 in 2025.

Local and regional leaders welcomed that Finland has joined the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP), as highlighted by Finnish Minister of Climate and Environment Kai Mykkänen in Espoo today. Currently 12 EU Member States and 73 countries have signed the initiative, which was launched at the COP28 last year and includes a commitment to enhance the cooperation with subnational governments in the planning, financing, implementation and monitoring of climate strategies.

Quotes:

Kata Tüttő (HU/PES), ENVE Commission First Vice-Chair and Deputy Mayor of Budapest: “The recent floods in Central and Eastern-Europe, but also in northern Italy, and the fires in Portugal are yet another alarm bell reminding that the EU must pursue with ambitious Green Deal policies. Economic growth and environmental sustainability can and must go hand in hand. We expect the new European Commission to put in practice its ambition to work closely with cities and regions. We look forward to a Commission programme that supports our efforts and equips us with the necessary tools to implement projects on the ground.”

Markku Markkula (FI/EPP), President of Helsinki Region and rapporteur of the opinion on the Future of EU Climate Policy: aligning mitigation targets and adaptation challenges: “The EU's current climate actions are good but far too fragmented. It is not only a question of what is necessary for nature and the planet, but also of the future of EU industry, competitiveness, research and prosperity. What is needed now is a Europe-wide systemic change based on innovative and multi-level leadership that motivates everyone to play their part from their own starting points. There is an urgent need to develop new climate-neutrality technologies and solutions through public-private cooperation in research, development and innovation."

Kai Mykkänen, Finnish Minister of Environment and Climate: “Last week Finland joined CHAMP initiative to boost climate action in cities and regions. The work done in municipalities globally is crucial to achieve the climate targets. In Finland we are able to reduce emissions while also looking after the growth of the economy. Our government continues supporting stronger climate commitments and actions to reduce emissions in EU and globally.”

More information:

 The COP29 climate conference will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11 to 22 November. The CoR will represent the voice of cities and regions in the EU delegation. Read more about the CoR participation: EU cities and regions at UNFCCC COP29 

Janez Potočnik, co-chair of the UNEP International Resource Panel, and Leena Ylä-Mononen, Director of the European Environmental Agency, took part in the debate at the ENVE commission meeting. In his remote intervention, Mr Potočnik stressed that moving to a growth that is socially just and environmentally sustainable requires a systematic transformation with a holistic approach, addressing both market and demand sides.

The ENVE commission events in Espoo will continue on Friday with a conference where innovative practises on advancing climate action and green transition will be presented from Finland and beyond. Anna-Kaisa Ikonen, Minister for Local and Regional Government of Finland, will speak at the opening.

Contact:

Lauri Ouvinen
Tel: +32 473 536 887
lauri.ouvinen@cor.europa.eu