During a debate on stepping up climate ambition during the COVID-19 pandemic with Svenja Schulze, German Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, EPP-CoR members spoke on the need of direct funding for cities and regions to implement sustainable projects, the need to address food waste, the importance of engaging LRAs in adaptation and mitigation policies and that there was no room for a veto that would block funds needed by cities and regions for their sustainable recovery.
In her remarks Schulze described cities and regions as the foundation of policies and the European Green Deal. She said "The environment and its protection is extremely important and we need to reinforce European cooperation especially now in times of the pandemic."
Rafał Trzaskowski, Mayor of Warsaw said that the recovery and the European Green Deal ambitions must go hand in hand. He added that making cities greener was a priority for LRAs. He also appealed for direct funding for cities and region and recalled that Mayors from Poland and Hungary have signed a letter appealing that there is no room for veto as cities and regions need funds for recovery.
Sari Rautio, Chair of Hämeenlinna City Board said that both big actions, and also everyday small deeds, need to be done by all Europeans. Rautio spoke on the need to address the challenge of food waste. "One third of all the food produced is thrown away, to waste. This doesn't make any sense, it is bad both for environment and the economy. I want to challenge all of us to take this into local dialogues - and actions. The change needs to start at a local level, in all cities and municipalities if we want to achieve the 2030 goals."
Hanna Zdanowska, Mayor of Łódź said that achieving climate neutrality by 2050 was a huge challenge even before the pandemic and economic crisis. She stressed the need of further support for LRAs. "To succeed, LRAs must become a climate action driving force. We need, more than ever, direct access to funds and integrated support from the European Commission."
Markku Markkula, Chair of the Board of Helsinki Region said that the European Green Deal and Recovery Funds give cities and regions an enormous opportunity to transform their climate policies. Presenting his opinion on adaptation to climate change to promote sustainability and quality of life in regions and municipalities, Markkula said "Political leadership should treat climate change as an emergency that needs to be tackled collectively with innovative measures breaking down silos and barriers and integrating mitigation and adaptation policies."
In a statement, Lídia Pereira, Member of the European Parliament from the EPP Group said that engagement of LRAs in adaptation and mitigation policies is key particularly when they are responsible for more than 70% of climate change reduction and up to 90% of climate adaption action. "We need more sustainable and more resilient cities as these will be better cities for citizens." concluded Pereira.