Speech by Executive Vice-President Šefčovič at the Conference for Mayors on Translating the European Green Deal into Local Action

Speech by EVP Šefčovič at the Conference for Mayors

Dear Vice-Minister-President,

Dear mayors and other local representatives,

Ladies and gentlemen.

Good morning to all of you, and my thanks to the Belgian Presidency and the Flemish Government, a trailblazer in translating EU-wide climate goals into tangible steps for municipalities of all sizes, for organising this event.

I am very pleased to have this opportunity to engage with you today.

Cities, regions and all levels of local authorities have a key role to play in our fight against climate change and biodiversity loss, of that there can be no doubt.

You are crucial in driving the transition to a sustainable future for Europe.

Your engagement, your services, and your resources have a significant influence on this transformative journey.

I am glad that this is increasingly recognised: it is telling that in December last year, Dubai hosted the first-ever Local Climate Action Summit at COP.

I was pleased to take part in its opening plenary to support, on behalf of the European Commission, the Declaration of the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships – the CHAMP Declaration.

Because we know that, while our work on climate change and biodiversity loss at international, EU and national level is of course vital, it is not sufficient by itself. We need this transformation to happen also at subnational level.

Indeed, synergies between national and subnational leaders are instrumental in steering our green transition efforts.

We share the objectives of promoting collaborative climate action, coordinated between governance levels, to help achieve emissions reduction, build resilience, and mitigate severe climate impacts.

And to ensure a green transition which is just and socially fair, leaving no one, and nowhere behind.

And we need to align policies, strategies, and actions, in order to have the maximum positive impact on the ground.

Since we launched the European Green Deal in 2019, local and regional authorities have played a critical part every step of the way.

From putting in place emergency energy saving measures.

To accelerating the infrastructure investment we need, both in terms of emission reductions and in building our resilience to the impacts of climate change.

You make a real difference when it comes to realising our ambitions.

From your work towards achieving our shared climate and energy goals.

To your environmental efforts and action to build a circular economy and reach zero-pollution.

Local authorities are in the best position to engage with citizens, local companies, and other stakeholders.

I often say that when confronted with the real-world impacts of climate change, the first door that citizens will knock on is that of their Mayor.

If there is flood, a fire, a weather-related disaster.

You are on the frontline when it comes to finding solutions to help those who live in your area.

So your commitment to take on this fundamental role in the green transition and further the objectives of the European Green Deal in your territories is pivotal.

I am pleased to see that it is embodied in the declaration put forward today by European local and regional leaders.

I warmly welcome this commitment, along with your recommendations on how we can work together to further empower local and regional governments as key agents of change, through enhanced support and cooperation.

Here, the Flemish Local Climate Pact can serve as a blueprint for how to create strong links between the various governance levels.

To better meet the needs of local governments and connect tangible local targets and measures with regional and national supportive frameworks.

At the same time, I know that mobilising sufficient financing and investment is critical.

The Commission is working with Member States, regions, and municipalities, to ensure that the green transition and sustainability are high on the list of their priorities when funding and investments decisions are made under the EU long term budget.

Cities' climate plans and investment strategies show the huge scale of their needs in terms of funding and finance, new materials, innovative solutions, and services.

We need to be smart about coordinating funding sources, leveraging public-private partnerships, and exploring innovative financing mechanisms to overcome financial barriers and unlock investments at all levels of governance.

Because every municipality, big or small, rich or poor, has a role to play. Many small efforts can have a huge, combined impact.

At EU level, we are making substantial resources available to cities and local governments to help in this effort, in the form of both technical assistance and direct funding.

For example, the EU Mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities under the Horizon Europe funding programme has some 360 million euros available to help deliver at least 100 climate-neutral and smart European cities.

These ambitious urban areas are working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 200 million tons of CO2.

Which is equivalent to the total annual emissions of the Netherlands and Croatia combined.

To accomplish this, they are drawing up and implementing Climate City Contracts.

Once these contracts are given the green light by the Commission, the cities then receive a Mission Label.

I was very happy to award the first 10 such Mission Labels last October. And a further 23 will receive theirs next week.

I know that many of those cities are represented here today: Cluj-Napoca, Dijon, Leuven, Lodz, Guimaraes, Paris, Zaragoza, La Louvière, Malmö, and even beyond the EU, Stavanger, Reykjavik… And I hope to see many more joining this path towards fast-track climate neutrality.

Additionally, I know that many of you are actively involved in EU-level initiatives designed to support cities and regions, such as the EU Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year.

I also salute the networks of cities and regions, many of which are also represented today, and which play an important role in developing and disseminating best practices.

And I want to assure you that we take the added value of this work very seriously.

That is why, later today, we will hold a Clean Transition Dialogue focused on the needs of cities in the green transition.

It is an opportunity to engage closely with mayors, key representatives of industry, and other stakeholders.

This is part of a series of Dialogues that President von der Leyen and I have been having with different sectors of industry, to discuss problems being encountered on the ground, and consider possible solutions.

For today's Clean Transition Dialogue for cities, we have chosen to focus today's discussion on the challenges around the urban environment, such as the decarbonisation of buildings and transport.

And I fully intend to continue this engagement with you, with all stakeholders of local and regional authorities.

With the ultimate aim of making concrete things happen that can help you in the green transition.

Ladies and gentlemen.

I look forward to that later on today, and I am pleased to know that some of you will join me for this discussion. In the meantime, I am sure you will have interesting and informative conversations here.

So I will finish by underlining the respect we have at EU level for your efforts, the work you are doing, and the difficulties you face.

As well as our intention to further deepen our cooperation so that together we can continue building a green, sustainable and fair Europe for all Europeans.

Thank you.