Press release | 19.09.2017
New agreement gives local and regional governments stronger voice on climate and energy
Brussels/Frankfurt, 19 September 2017. Climate Alliance today signed an action plan with the European Committee of the Regions to further intensify collaboration to accelerate the energy transition and the fight against climate change at all levels of government. It builds on previous collaborations including shaping European policy frameworks with joint work on the EU adaptation strategy and in supporting the Committee's opinion on climate finance, as well as a history of fruitful cooperation in bringing the voices of cities and regions forward at international climate negotiations.
The action plan formalises an existing long-standing working relationship and provides a framework for reinforced cooperation in key dossiers of mutual interest such as the implementation of the Paris Agreement. The aim is to work together to reach common objectives through the shaping of international and European climate policies and providing opportunities for exchange between local governments and European decision-makers: e.g. the energy transition towards a low-carbon economy, the development of adequate financing mechanisms to multiply climate adaptation and mitigation actions locally, as well as the establishment of a global climate multi-level governance that fully involves cities and regions in the implementation and progress monitoring of the Paris Agreement.
Thomas Brose, Executive Director of Climate Alliance, said: "The active involvement of the regional and local levels is key to successfully manage climate policy, whether it is within the EU or at the international stage. The European Committee of the Regions has proven to be a powerful partner in Climate Alliance's efforts to lend a stronger voice to the local and regional levels. We very much welcome the opportunities this new agreement opens up and look forward to sharing the good news with our members at the Climate Alliance International Annual Conference which will take place in Essen this week."
Karl-Heinz Lambertz, President of the European Committee of the Regions, said: "Now more than ever we must unite our efforts and resources to put a stop to global warming. Today we see that locally and regionally there is growing ambition to work together and deliver on our climate commitments. Only through cooperation can we make the transition to a low-carbon economy, demonstrate that multi-level governance is the only way forward to protect our climate and improve financing for climate projects in our communities."
FURTHER INFORMATION
- Joint action plan
- Climate Alliance International Annual Conference
- EU adaptation strategy news
- Committee of the Regions opinion on climate finance
- This press release as pdf
CONTACT
- Lea Kleinenkuhnen, +32-2-400 10 12, l.kleinenkuhnen(at)climatealliance.org
The European Committee of the Regions
The European Committee of the Regions is the EU's assembly of regional and local representatives from all 28 Member States. Created in 1994 following the signing of the Maastricht Treaty, its mission is to involve regional and local authorities in the EU's decision-making process and to inform them about EU policies. The European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission consult the Committee in policy areas affecting regions and cities. To sit on the European Committee of the Regions, all of its 350 members and 350 alternates must either hold an electoral mandate or be politically accountable to an elected assembly in their home regions and cities.
cor.europa.eu
Photo: Heinz Lambertz (left), President of the European Committee of the Regions, and Thomas Brose (right), Executive Director of Climate Alliance.
