Direct funding, engagement of citizens and engagement of local and regional leaders in decision making on green recovery were the main issues discussed by EPP-CoR members during a virtual EPP local dialogue on the Green Deal organised as part of the European week of regions and cities. The event was moderated by EPP-CoR Vice-President Jelena Drenjanin. In her opening remarks she said that building a more sustainable and more resilient regions and cities, after the COVID-19 crisis, is not only a challenge but also an opportunity.
Olgierd Geblewicz, President of EPP-CoR Group, President of West Pomeranian Region and President of the Union of the Regions of the Republic of Poland said that with ambitious, yet realistic, targets, cities and regions can convert climate challenges into opportunities to build sustainable communities. "For this to happen we need to boost investment, provide proper financial resources and cooperate closely with our citizens and local SMEs." he added.
Geblewicz also spoke about the aspirations of citizens to live in more sustainable environments. Reacting to conversations he is challenged with every day Geblewicz said "Can we improve our air quality? Can we make our cities greener? Can we make entire villages more energy efficient? Can we make our local economies more circular? The reply is not only yes we can, but yes we have to".
Lídia Pereira, Member of the EPP Group in the European Parliament and President of the Youth of the European People's Party, said that climate action needed immediate action "Climate change is not a problem of the future. It is happening now. We must invest in climate change adaptation. We all have the same objectives of fighting climate change and adapting to the irreversible consequences of climate change. "
Emil Boc, Mayor of Cluj-Napoca and former Prime Minister of Romania, pointed out the need of collective action "ECO not EGO! We all have to do our part. We also have to encourage our citizens to change their habits and make them more climate friendly." Boc also spoke about the important role of cities and regions to reach the Green Deal targets "We cannot have a climate neutral Europe without climate neutral cities. Funds come from Brussels, but the ideas have to come from us cities and regions."
Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, President of Andalusia and the CoR Rapporteur of the European Climate Law, shared the efforts made by the Region of Andalucia to integrate a green perspective into the budget to reorient private and public investment and consumption towards eco-friendly priorities.
Rafał Trzaskowski, Mayor of Warsaw and CoR rapporteur in European Climate Pact, said that EU funds were crucial for cities and regions to complete projects. "We are proposing a scheme through which the EU Commission can provide direct funding to cities and regions to complete sustainable projects such as clean transport which brings added value." He added that cities and regions needed commitment, knowledge and financial resources for a green recovery.
Markku Markkula, Chair of the Espoo City Board and President of the Helsinki Region, said that collective action was necessary and that in Finland, half of the recovery funds will be used for climate policy. Espoo, one of the greenest cities in Europe intends to have 0 emissions by 2035.
Ricardo Rio, Mayor of Braga, said that cities and regions have been actively implementing sustainability projects. In Braga 30% of the public transport fleet is already electric. Speaking on the green recovery, Braga said that mayors were concerned how funds will be allocated and managed. "Local and regional authorities must be fully engaged and the pandemic must not be used as an excuse for centralisation."
Concluding the debate Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Governor of the region of Central Macedonia and President of the European Committee of the Regions, said "We need a green recovery in every region and city being it urban or rural, poor or rich. To achieve this, local and regional leaders need adequate funding." Tzitzikostas expressed satisfaction that the CoR launched a new cooperation with the European Commission with the simple purpose to deliver energy efficient buildings, to make transport more sustainable and to protect the natural habitat.