23.06.2017
EU Mayors and Commissioner Cañete commit to dialogue
On 20 June 2017, the European Covenant of Mayors Political Board met with EU Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete to discuss key European climate and energy legislation currently under development.
During the meeting, the board adopted a declaration outlining strategic messages on the development of resilient, low-emission cities and towns. The declaration highlights the commitment of European cities to implement the Paris agreement and to deliver the EU’s Clean Energy Package in Europe's cities and regions. It also points to the local level as a critical role model, stating that EU cities’ “experience in collaborative climate and energy governance should serve as an example to Member States when drafting their National Climate and Energy Plan, in order to jointly shape future energy and climate policies.”
The event led to fruitful discussions between local leaders and Commissioner Cañete and will serve as a blueprint for future exchanges – made clear by Cañete’s proposal to regularly consult with EU mayors and local leaders on all developing EU energy and climate policy. As such, this second meeting of the Covenant of Mayors Board was testimony to increasing recognition of the importance of the local level at the highest levels of the European Commission.
The Covenant of Mayors Political Board is composed of seven mayors and local leaders from across Europe. Mercè Conesa i Pagès, Mayor of San Cugat del Vallés and president of the Province of Barcelona, an active Climate Alliance member, serves as a liaison to the Climate Alliance Board. In this capacity, she consults with Climate Alliance Board members on the activities of the Covenant political board as well as on exchanges with the Commissioner. Her position is thus a privileged channel through which Climate Alliance can voice the views of its members to important EU-level decision makers.
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Photo: Mercè Conesa i Pagès, President of Climate Alliance member Barcelona Province (1st from the left) with Commissioner Cañete and the other members of the Covenant of Mayors Board
