"Local and regional efforts will be vital to achieve climate neutrality but we have to ensure that this goal is compatible with with the economic development of regions and cities as well as the economic recovery." JuanMa Moreno, President of Andalucia made these remarks during a debate on the Green Deal and its role in the COVID-19 recovery. Moreno added that Cities and regions require support to achieve climate neutrality and stressed that they will only be successful if citizens are engaged in this process.
Piotr Całbecki, President of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region and CoR Rapporteur for the opinion on the 'Fitness Check of the Water Framework Directive and the Floods Directive' said "I am confident that the European Green Deal will provide new opportunities to improve water quality as to make the zero-pollution ambition a reality."
Rastislav Trnka, Chairman of Košice Self Governing Region spoke about the need to boost green and blue innovation and sustainable investment. "For this to happen, we need to have adequate resources under the new MFF, and we have to start with creating better synergies between the EU, national, regional and local budgets." Trnka stressed the need to better communicate with citizens the benefits of well implemented policies on their daily lives. With respect to the role of cities and reagion, Trnka said "If we localise the green deal we can create an environment in which it will be possible to work safely, do business, live well and where no one is left behind. "
Hanna Zdanowska, President of Łodź stressed the importance of engaging local and regional authorities in the implementation of the Green Deal. "It is the local governments that implement measures so it must be possible for them to access funds directly. Only direct financial support to local and regional authorities will enable us to fight climate change, protect health of citizens, rebuild our economies and implement the Green Deal."
Anna Magyar from Csongrád County Council said that raising awareness among citizens on climate change is key. She said that in her county, a drawing competition on climate change and sustainability was organised for children.