"As local and regional authorities, we are not just implementers of policies. We are front-runners – shaping the Europe of tomorrow. But I truly believe that we, as the EU, together, could do more. In times of multiple crises – geopolitical tensions, climate change, and growing protectionism – it becomes even more urgent that we accelerate the clean energy transition. This is not just a climate imperative; it is a matter of economic resilience and independence. Reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels – especially from unstable markets – means building a Europe that is strong, self-sufficient, and competitive. To get there, we need an industrial base that is future-proof, circular, and climate-neutral. The Clean Industrial Deal is an important step forward. But we must be clear: transformation happens on the ground – not in Brussels alone. And for us, this is about jobs and development in all our regions."
These were the remarks of Åsa Ågren Wikström (SE/EPP), CoR Rapporteur for the opinion ‘More than funding: Local and regional authorities mobilising public and private resources for an effective follow-up on the Clean Transition Dialogues’, during today’s meeting of the Commission for the Environment, Climate Change and Energy (ENVE).
Ågren Wikström also shared examples from her home region and beyond. “In my hometown Umeå, the Eco Industrial Park brings together waste management, clean energy, and circular innovation. When fully expanded, it could reduce Sweden’s CO₂ emissions by 3–4%.” She also pointed to Vaasa, Finland, where EnergyVaasa serves as a model of cross-border industrial collaboration and regional leadership in the energy sector.
“These are not isolated cases,” she added. “There are many more. And we must share our best practices, learn from one another, and boost our competitiveness from the local and regional level. But we need support – not just in the form of funding, but through predictable, non-burdensome regulations. We need financing that is accessible, well-coordinated, and targeted.”
In the opinion, Ågren Wikström – who serves as Regional Councillor of the Region of Västerbotten – highlights the critical role of local and regional authorities (LRAs) in accelerating the transition to a clean and resilient EU economy. She recognizes them as key procurers of bio-based alternatives and pioneers of clean tech solutions.
The opinion also underlines how LRAs can be drivers of clean energy production by promoting locally produced fossil-free energy, increasing energy independence, and developing strategic public-private partnerships (PPPs).
Unanimously adopted by the ENVE Commission, the opinion calls on the European Commission to regularly involve LRAs in transition dialogues, as most decarbonisation projects are implemented in cities and regions. It further stresses the need to support LRAs in leveraging local innovations and creating platforms to scale up small businesses into large-scale industries.
