At today’s ENVE meeting of the European Committee of the Regions, EPP-CoR members pushed for faster, more practical delivery of the green transition—rooted in local capacity, fair participation, and targeted EU support.
COP31: from negotiations to implementation
Speaking for rapporteur Konstantinos Bakoyannis (EL/EPP), ENVE Chair, Åsa Ågren Wikström (SE/EPP) member of Västerbotten County Council underlined that the Paris framework is largely agreed—now credibility depends on delivery, with regions and cities translating commitments into action. With COP31 close to the EU, she urged stronger subnational climate diplomacy and multilevel governance. She said that “Europe must stand firmly for multilateralism, for science, and for open and inclusive dialogue — especially as international cooperation faces renewed pressure. COP31, close to the EU, is a strategic opportunity to show how multilevel governance delivers tangible climate results.”
European Grids Package: simplify delivery, secure acceptance
EPP-CoR shadow rapporteur Ans Mol (NL/EPP), Regional Minister of the Province of Gelderland, welcomed a balanced draft and stressed three priorities: a one-stop shop that supports local administrations, smarter grid-capacity prioritisation, and benefit-sharing to build public support—highlighting Gelderland’s local-for-local approach and at least 50% local ownership in large renewable projects. “When grid capacity is scarce, we need prioritisation that reflects societal needs. The Netherlands’ congestion approach shows how to move beyond ‘first come, first served’ while keeping the system fair.” said Ans Mol.
She invited ENVE members to a study visit on energy on 21 May in Arnhem (Energy Week), showcasing how local participation and ownership can strengthen the energy transition.
Environmental Implementation Review
In the debate on the Environmental Implementation Review, Borboly Csaba (RO/EPP), Vice-President of Harghita County Council, welcomed the instrument and urged the draft opinion to explicitly prioritise human safety in Habitats Directive implementation, called for infringement procedures where Member States fail on compensation, prevention, and protection obligations, recognised that unmanaged wildlife conflicts can drive abandonment of traditional farming and harm biodiversity, and propose an EU Financial Solidarity Mechanism in the 2028–2034 MFF for regions disproportionately affected by large carnivore populations.
He said that “Human life and safety must take precedence in the implementation of the Habitats Directive—coexistence requires safety first.”
Cyprus Presidency priorities: water resilience as security and cohesion
EPP-CoR members backed Cyprus’s focus on water resilience, calling for a territorial approach and stronger EU co-financing.
Adrián Ariel Zittelli Ferrari (ES/EPP), Director General for European Union of the Department of the Presidency, Government Spokesperson, Foreign Action, and Emergencies, Government of Murcia, warned that Mediterranean regions already face Europe’s future climate extremes, noting Murcia has invested over €75 million in flood protection in six years with EU support, and announced plans for a Water Resilience Observatory to turn data into decisions.
He added that: “For regions like Murcia, water resilience is not sectoral policy—it is people’s safety, territorial development and European cohesion. Regions cannot face structurally European risks alone. We need Mediterranean basins prioritised, planned flood-prevention projects accelerated, and regions fully involved in decision-making.”
Jan Zámečník (CZ/EPP), Member of the Regional Assembly of South Moravia, stressed water scarcity is spreading across Europe and called for an integrated resilience framework combining nature-based solutions and resilient infrastructure, plus clearer EU funding for major projects and cross-border cooperation.
“Water is not only an environmental topic—it is a prerequisite for economic stability, public health and social cohesion. We need nature-based measures to retain water and protect soil, and we also need resilient infrastructure to guarantee high-quality drinking water for everyone.” Continued Jan Zámečník.
Borboly Csaba (RO/EPP), Vice-President of Harghita County Council, urged the EU to treat water resilience as a security issue with a strong territorial lens, and to fund quick, scalable micro-regional pilots—especially for mountain and less-developed areas.
“Water resilience must be framed as security and cohesion, with a clear territorial dimension. Europe should back micro-regional pilots that are quick to implement and scalable: nature-based retention, wetland restoration, community monitoring and early warning.” Concluded Borboly Csaba.