Rumo a um Pacto Ecológico Mundial: harmonização dos quadros mundiais em matéria de alterações climáticas, biodiversidade e desenvolvimento sustentável
Opinion factsheet
Conteúdo desta página
- Ambiente
- Biodiversidade
- Política do ambiente
- Alterações Climáticas e Energia
- Política no domínio das alterações climáticas
- Pacto Ecológico Europeu
Objective
highlight the need to further seek alliances between the global UN agendas and the European Green Deal, putting subnational authorities at the core of a "Global Green Deal" - with the aim of joining efforts and multiplying the results of the SDGs framework, the Paris Agreement, and the Global Biodiversity Framework at local level.
explore the links between different global processes, especially the UNFCCC, UN CBD, and the UN SDGs, and promote synergies;
analyze how subnational governments can further consolidate their presence and formal recognition in UN frameworks;
advance action to tackle climate change, environmental degradation, and pollution, stressing the need for dedicated technical assistance, resources and funding to implement local and regional measures;
encourage ways towards an effective multilevel governance mechanisms for the implementation of these agendas
The opinion will provide the CoR's political position to the UN COPs on climate in biodiversity, and add value to the CoR position for the UN discussion on SDGs, in 2024.
explore the links between different global processes, especially the UNFCCC, UN CBD, and the UN SDGs, and promote synergies;
analyze how subnational governments can further consolidate their presence and formal recognition in UN frameworks;
advance action to tackle climate change, environmental degradation, and pollution, stressing the need for dedicated technical assistance, resources and funding to implement local and regional measures;
encourage ways towards an effective multilevel governance mechanisms for the implementation of these agendas
The opinion will provide the CoR's political position to the UN COPs on climate in biodiversity, and add value to the CoR position for the UN discussion on SDGs, in 2024.
Impact
The Commission fully endorses the CoR’s first opening remark on the need for synergies between the Rio Conventions explicitly, and the SDGs the future international plastics treaty, and the Sendai Framework implicitly, emphasizing that these pillars must be tackled in an integrated way rather than in silos to maximize co benefits; this alignment is echoed in its follow up to CoR Point 11, where the Commission recalls its reply performs on CoR opinion “Multilevel governance for the Green Deal: towards the revision of the Governance Regulation.”
Responding to the CoR’s call for multilevel planning in NDCs (including CHAMP support), the Commission reaffirms its backing for subnational actors and formally endorses the CHAMP declaration. It pledges to boost the visibility, inclusion, and financial support of cities and regions in Nationally Determined Contributions, Long Term Strategies, and National Adaptation Plans.
On CoR Point 10 concerning the Global Green Deal’s balance between sustainability and job creation, the Commission agrees that a just transition must marry environmental objectives with fair employment opportunities; it details the expansion of the Just Transition Fund (with 70 Territorial Plans approved), the creation of the Social Climate Fund, and forthcoming “Clean Industrial Deal” and “Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator” initiatives.
Addressing CoR Point 11 on governance and stakeholder inclusion, the Commission acknowledges progress under the current Governance Regulation but admits gaps in multilevel engagement, commits to strengthening public participation requirements as set out in its recent evaluation report and NECP guidance, and foreshadows legislative proposals to enshrine these improvements.
In line with the CoR’s fifth opening remark on subnational engagement in UN bodies, the Commission underlines its support for city and region level leadership in UN processes, noting twelve EU Member States’ endorsement of CHAMP, the IPCC’s decision to produce a 2027 Special Report on Cities, and the CBD COP15 decision to enhance subnational engagement.
Responding to CoR Point 13 on direct financing and capacity building, the Commission highlights EU instruments, such as the Covenant of Mayors, EU Missions, the Green City Accord, and Cohesion Policy’s “urban earmarking”, to channel finance to local actors, and further pledges to streamline access to both public and private funding for sub-national authorities.
On CoR Point 27 regarding the 2040 climate target and multilevel governance, the Commission proposes a science based 90 % reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. However, it recognizes the importance of reflecting local socio economic circumstances and the principle of subsidiarity, it leaves detailed implementation modalities to subsequent legislation.
Also under CoR Point 27, on the phase out of fossil fuels with justice for affected regions, the Commission commits to phasing out “inefficient” fossil fuel subsidies as soon as possible, stressing a just transition that protects vulnerable, fossil dependent territories.
In its response to CoR Point 31 on the new collective quantified climate finance goal, the Commission highlights the EU’s instrumental role in securing a USD 300 billion per year target by 2035, underlining the goal’s focus on equity, balanced mitigation, and adaptation finance, and the mobilization of diverse and innovative funding sources, even if it does not specify the portion that will flow directly to cities and regions or the instruments through which it will be delivered.
10. On CoR Point 32 about leveraging the Global Gateway and Just Energy Transition Partnerships for a global green transition, the Commission endorses both initiatives as core vehicles for resilient, low carbon development, reiterating mandatory climate risk screenings and the exclusion of fossil fuel investments.
11. Reflecting CoR Point 35 on the recognition of cities and regions in COP29 preparations, the Commission notes that the October 2024 Council Conclusions explicitly call for enhanced involvement of local and regional authorities in NDCs, National Adaptation Plans, and Long Term Strategies, and confirms its ongoing support via dedicated policy dialogues and technical assistance.
Finally, the CoR opinion had a solid impact in the Council conclusions and in several CBD COP16 decisions, which highlighted the importance of all levels of government and echoed the call for strengthening synergies between the Rio Conventions.
Responding to the CoR’s call for multilevel planning in NDCs (including CHAMP support), the Commission reaffirms its backing for subnational actors and formally endorses the CHAMP declaration. It pledges to boost the visibility, inclusion, and financial support of cities and regions in Nationally Determined Contributions, Long Term Strategies, and National Adaptation Plans.
On CoR Point 10 concerning the Global Green Deal’s balance between sustainability and job creation, the Commission agrees that a just transition must marry environmental objectives with fair employment opportunities; it details the expansion of the Just Transition Fund (with 70 Territorial Plans approved), the creation of the Social Climate Fund, and forthcoming “Clean Industrial Deal” and “Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator” initiatives.
Addressing CoR Point 11 on governance and stakeholder inclusion, the Commission acknowledges progress under the current Governance Regulation but admits gaps in multilevel engagement, commits to strengthening public participation requirements as set out in its recent evaluation report and NECP guidance, and foreshadows legislative proposals to enshrine these improvements.
In line with the CoR’s fifth opening remark on subnational engagement in UN bodies, the Commission underlines its support for city and region level leadership in UN processes, noting twelve EU Member States’ endorsement of CHAMP, the IPCC’s decision to produce a 2027 Special Report on Cities, and the CBD COP15 decision to enhance subnational engagement.
Responding to CoR Point 13 on direct financing and capacity building, the Commission highlights EU instruments, such as the Covenant of Mayors, EU Missions, the Green City Accord, and Cohesion Policy’s “urban earmarking”, to channel finance to local actors, and further pledges to streamline access to both public and private funding for sub-national authorities.
On CoR Point 27 regarding the 2040 climate target and multilevel governance, the Commission proposes a science based 90 % reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. However, it recognizes the importance of reflecting local socio economic circumstances and the principle of subsidiarity, it leaves detailed implementation modalities to subsequent legislation.
Also under CoR Point 27, on the phase out of fossil fuels with justice for affected regions, the Commission commits to phasing out “inefficient” fossil fuel subsidies as soon as possible, stressing a just transition that protects vulnerable, fossil dependent territories.
In its response to CoR Point 31 on the new collective quantified climate finance goal, the Commission highlights the EU’s instrumental role in securing a USD 300 billion per year target by 2035, underlining the goal’s focus on equity, balanced mitigation, and adaptation finance, and the mobilization of diverse and innovative funding sources, even if it does not specify the portion that will flow directly to cities and regions or the instruments through which it will be delivered.
10. On CoR Point 32 about leveraging the Global Gateway and Just Energy Transition Partnerships for a global green transition, the Commission endorses both initiatives as core vehicles for resilient, low carbon development, reiterating mandatory climate risk screenings and the exclusion of fossil fuel investments.
11. Reflecting CoR Point 35 on the recognition of cities and regions in COP29 preparations, the Commission notes that the October 2024 Council Conclusions explicitly call for enhanced involvement of local and regional authorities in NDCs, National Adaptation Plans, and Long Term Strategies, and confirms its ongoing support via dedicated policy dialogues and technical assistance.
Finally, the CoR opinion had a solid impact in the Council conclusions and in several CBD COP16 decisions, which highlighted the importance of all levels of government and echoed the call for strengthening synergies between the Rio Conventions.
Essential points
THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS (CoR)
underlines that the Rio Conventions, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the future international plastics treaty and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, are substantially interconnected and should be tackled in synergy to optimise the co-benefits;
stresses that local and regional authorities play a pivotal role in designing, implementing, financing and monitoring integrated and comprehensive solutions to the planetary crisis;
welcomes the comprehensive nature of the European Green Deal; however, highlights the urgent need to link its objectives and reporting mechanisms with the SDGs, the Rio Conventions and the Sendai Framework; stresses that a sound, long-term and multilevel governance should be ensured, in order to improve its implementation, transparency and place-based approach;
considers that a Global Green Deal should reconcile sustainability with fair job-creation in line with local and regional needs;
welcomes the commitment to strengthen the engagement of subnational governments in UN intergovernmental bodies;
urges the EU and all UN member states to establish a structured, coordinated, systematic and harmonised approach for the inclusion, direct financing, monitoring, reporting and capacity building of subnational governments across the Rio Conventions and the 2030 Agenda in order to ensure and support implementation at local level;
stresses that all levels of government are responsible for implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework, and calls for the proposed whole-of-government approach to be built on;
urges the UNFCCC Parties to ensure a multilevel planning and governance approach in drafting their commitments by including subnational climate commitments, actions and achievements in NDCs, Long-Term Strategies and National Adaptation Plans; invites the COP29 Presidency and future presidencies to continue supporting CHAMP;