Road to biodiversity COP17 and climate COP31: Cities and regions urge Ireland’s EU presidency to recognise their efforts

Last summer's record heatwaves, wildfires and other extreme weather events across Europe again proved the urgency to tackle climate change and strengthen resilience at all levels of government. Ahead of this autumn's international conferences – biodiversity COP17 and climate COP31 – local and regional leaders are therefore urging the Irish EU Council presidency to ensure that the contribution of cities and regions is properly reflected in the EU’s international climate and biodiversity efforts. 

Türkiye will host the UNFCCC COP31 in Antalya from 9 to 20 November. Integrating multilevel mechanisms in the international processes, improving and simplifying access to climate finance for local and regional authorities, accelerating the implementation of energy commitments and boosting resources for adaptation at all levels of government are among the key objectives of the high-level CoR delegation led by President Kata Tüttő. Working closely with other partners in the EU delegation and at global stage, the CoR has contributed to the joint position paper of world's local and regional governments, which was officially presented for endorsement this week.

At the biodiversity CBD COP17, taking place in Yerevan from 19 to 30 October, the CoR will be represented by ENVE chair Kostas Bakoyannis (EL/EPP) and Roby Biwer (LU/PES), municipal councillor of Bettemburg. Their main objective is to defend the full implementation of the Plan of Action for local governments, the systematic involvement of local and regional authorities in national biodiversity strategies, and better access to financing.

In a debate with a representative of the Irish presidency of the Council of the EU, ENVE members stressed that the final Council conclusions on COP17 and COP31, providing the basis for the EU’s negotiating mandate, should explicitly recognise cities and regions' role in delivering global climate and environmental goals on the ground. During the ENVE meeting on 29 September, members also exchanged views with Veronika Hunt Safrankova, Head of UNEP Brussels Office, and underlined the links between climate change, biodiversity loss and water resilience.

ENVE chair Kostas Bakoyannis, Member of Athens City Council, said: "The COP31 and the COP17 cannot be approached in silos. Climate change, biodiversity loss and water stress reinforce each other. We need stronger coherence between the UN climate and biodiversity processes, with cities and regions as key actors in both."

Clean and affordable energy for EU citizens

With the energy crisis ongoing, the ENVE commission adopted two draft opinions on the Citizens Energy Package and the Small Modular Reactors strategy proposed by the European Commission.

Yonnec Polet (BE/PES), Member of Berchem-Sainte-Agathe Municipal Council and rapporteur of the CoR opinion on the Citizens Energy Package, said: "Energy affordability is of great concern for all Europeans. Bills are too high! We call fo stronger safeguards for all Europeans and especially the most vulnerable so that all can enjoy affordable and steady energy supply while enjoying strengthened protection as consumers and as citizens. The deployment of homegrown renewable energy in Europe must accelerate. This is the backbone for ensuring social cohesion and the EU’s strategic independence. Cities and regions play a key role in ensuring the efficient roll out of renewable energy projects, facilitating the functioning of energy communities, and ultimately ensuring that Europe is on track to reach its carbon neutrality target by 2050."

Ans Mol (NL/ECR), Regional Minister of the Province of Gelderland and rapporteur of the CoR opinion on the Small Modular Reactors strategy, said: “Small modular reactors are not a quick fix for today's energy challenges, and this opinion does not pretend otherwise. But that is precisely why Europe must act now. Decisions taken in this decade will shape our energy system for decades to come. If we wait until the need is even more urgent, we risk falling behind. Europe should therefore work together on an initial wave of projects focused on shared learning, standardisation and a strong European supply chain. Ultimately the success of these projects will be determined locally, therefore we need regions at the table from day one."

Both opinions are scheduled for final adoption at the CoR plenary in December.

Tackling climate disinformation

A new study commissioned by ENVE and presented to the members warns that disinformation is undermining trust in EU climate and environmental policies, despite that European citizens strongly recognize the need to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Authors of the study pointed out that local and regional authorities, being closest to citizens and territorial realities, are best placed to increase the public engagement and contribute to building a positive narrative on the green transition. 

· Disinformation and public engagement in the green transition: summary and full study

The next ENVE meeting will take place on 8 December in Brussels.