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BIZARRO Pedro
In Energy, Impact community Climate, Latest

​Sixth IPCC Report 

Climate - News

UN report: climate change’s impact worsening, multi-level action crucial to adopt

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the top UN body working on the issue, recently published the second part of its sixth assessment report on the impact of the changing climate on ecosystems and human populations across the world.
 
The report warns that the extent and magnitude of those impacts outpass previous estimates. The authors starkly observe that climate change is human-induced and “a threat to human well-being and planetary health.” At the same time, the IPCC notes that collaboration and planning across levels of government and including all elements of society are crucial to adapting to climate change.
 
It is now likely that global warming will reach or exceed 1.5°C in the near-term. The IPCC warns that if further global action on adaptation and mitigation is delayed, the brief window of opportunity to secure a liveable future will be missed. There is an urgent need for stronger action.
 
Multi-level action needed for climate adaptation and resilience
 
The IPCC stresses that we need multi-sectoral, inclusive and long-term planning to adapt to and attenuate climate change’s impact. Only by involving all levels of government and all segments of society can we hope to take effective action.
 
In this respect, CEMR is proud to be contributing to the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy an initiative which brings together cities to help them reach climate neutrality by 2050. The Covenant enables cities to develop and implement holistic local adaptation plans involving all local players. Participants can also share and learn best practices on how to prepare for climatic events such as heatwaves and floods.
 
The IPCC report also emphasises the notion of climate-resilient development, meaning a model of sustainable development that includes climate mitigation and adaptation. Achieving climate-resilient development will require international cooperation and governments at all levels working with communities, civil society, the private sector and traditionally marginalised groups.
 
Together, these different forms of cooperation tackle structural inequalities and mobilise sufficient financial resources. CEMR is committed to achieving these goals through its participation to different international coalitions and projects, notably PLATFORMA, the Green City Accord and UCLG.
 
The IPCC’s latest report makes for grim reading. The evidence is clear: time is running out. Stronger action, coordinated across levels of government, is needed if we are to overcome this greatest environmental challenge.

GRIFFON Axelle
In Environment, Impact community Climate, Latest

European Bauhaus

Environment - News section

Win a prize for your sustainable, aesthetic and inclusive projects

Do you have a finished project or a new concept for local solutions that are aesthetic, sustainable and inclusive? If so, be sure to apply for the New European Bauhaus Prize 2022 before 28 February 2022 at 19:00 CET.

This prize, which is open to local and regional governments, rewards excellent projects completed within the last two years, as well as concepts or ideas from young talents aged 30 or less.

These projects and concepts can enter in the following categories::

  • Reconnecting with nature
  • Regaining a sense of belonging
  • Prioritising the places and people that need it most
  • Shaping circular industrial ecosystems and supporting life-cycle thinking

Winning projects will receive up to €30,000, while concepts can win up to €15,000.

For more information, check out the guide for applications, available in English as well as other official EU languages on the New European Bauhaus website.

BORDELOT Federica
In Climate, Climate, Governance, Governance, Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Latest, Local democracy, Local democracy, Migration and inclusion, Migration and inclusion, Publications, Territorial development, Twinning

Empowering local Europe 

European Town - News

CEMR unveils its vision for stronger, inclusive and sustainable territories across Europe

Read full position paper

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has launched its political manifesto calling for a more inclusive, resilient, and citizen-driven European Union. With over 41 national associations of local and regional governments behind it, the manifesto sets out a roadmap to bring Europe closer to its citizens, starting from the ground up. 

At its heart are six concrete proposals to reinvigorate European democracy: from establishing permanent citizen panels and annual Europe Day debates in schools, to relaunching town twinning and creating an Erasmus-style programme for civil servants. 

CEMR also stresses that a strong Europe must leave no one and no place behind. It calls for renewed efforts to tackle territorial disparities, address depopulation, and ensure that public services, from education to health, are accessible to all citizens, no matter where they live. 

The manifesto also focuses on key priorities for the coming decade, including: 

  • Citizen participation through inclusive local democracy; 
  • Empowered local climate action, as cities and regions lead Europe’s green transition; 
  • Fair and coordinated migration policies, with strong local support for integration; 
  • Digital transformation that bridges the urban–rural divide; 
  • New forms of town-to-town partnerships, especially beyond the EU’s borders; 
  • And financial means to invest in sustainable local infrastructure and innovation. 

CEMR’s proposals emphasise the urgent need for deeper recognition of local and regional governments in European decision-making. This includes a stronger role for the Committee of the Regions, the creation of a local chamber, and systematic consultation of representative associations like CEMR when shaping EU legislation and strategies. 

By calling for a Europe that is democratic, sustainable, and close to its people, the manifesto is a bold invitation to reimagine the Union from the local level up, with municipalities and regions playing a central role in shaping the continent’s future. 

Read the position paper here 

For more information, contact: 

ROSSI Fabrizio
In About CEMR, Impact community Climate, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Labour, Impact community Society, Local democracy, Twinning

Presenting CEMR

CEMR - News Section

Hot off the Press: “Empowering Local and Regional Europe since 1951”

We are pleased to announce the release of CEMR’s new presentation brochure: “Empowering Local and Regional Europe since 1951”.

This richly-illustrated publication provides a bird’s eye view of CEMR and its work on behalf of Europe’s municipalities, counties and regions. It also takes stock of what has been achieved since its creation in 1951 and draws the lessons of decades of work. The document, available in English and French, features numerous charts, a map and a historical timeline.

“If this publication makes one thing clear”, explains CEMR President Stefano Bonnacini, “it is the crucial role of Europe’s complex patchwork of municipalities, counties and regions in so many aspects of life. Behind the words that jump out – basic services, climate change, international development, COVID – there is a human reality: local and regional elected officials and civil servants, working every day for their citizens in an ever-growing sphere of areas.“

In particular, you will discover inside:

  • The men and women, elected mayors and local/regional leaders from across Europe, who make up our leadership
  • CEMR’s membership and the diverse territorial organisation of different European countries
  • CEMR’s democratic values, internal organisation and way of working
  • Our thematic work, projects and partners under the headings People, Places, Planet and Partnership
  • CEMR’s rich history since our founding in 1951: from the contribution of town twinning and local autonomy-building in postwar Europe to our expanding work on territorial development, gender equality and environment
  • How to keep in touch with us through our many communications channels tailored to diverse audiences
GRIFFON Axelle
In Environment, Impact community Climate, Latest

Green Capital

Green City - News Section

Grenoble was chosen to be the European Green Capital 2022

Grenoble was chosen by the European Commission to be the European Green Capital of the year 2022. Since 2010 and every year, this prestigious title rewards cities strongly committed to transitions and pioneers of an environmentally-friendly urban ecosystem.

The official launch of this European Green Capital year, which is organised by the City of Grenoble and the European Commission, in partnership with the Département de l’Isère and Grenoble-Alpes Métropole, and with the support of the French government, will take place on Saturday 15th January.

Access the event page here: https://greengrenoble2022.eu

ROSSI Fabrizio
In About CEMR, About CEMR, Impact community Climate, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Labour, Impact community Society, International cooperation, Latest, PLATFORMA, Publications, Twinning

Empowering local Europe since 1951  

Democracy, diversity, and sustainability at the heart of CEMR 

Read full study

Since its founding in 1951, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has worked to promote a peaceful, democratic, and united Europe. Rooted in local self-government and citizen participation, CEMR brings together municipalities, counties, and regions across 41 countries, giving local democracy a strong voice at European and international levels. 

Our Values 

CEMR stands on three core pillars: 

  • Local democracy: Protecting municipal autonomy, human rights, and the rule of law. 
  • Sustainability: Guiding action through the United Nations’ Global Goals. 
  • Diversity: Promoting gender balance, inclusiveness, and respect for differences. 

With a team of 40 professionals in Brussels, representing a dozen nationalities and speaking 15 languages, CEMR embodies the European mosaic it serves. 

A History of Local Leadership 

CEMR was born in 1951 when 56 mayors from six countries gathered in Geneva to lay the foundations of a united Europe from the bottom up. Their early efforts focused on town twinning, fostering reconciliation through exchanges and cultural ties. Today, with some 20,000 twinnings across Europe, this remains the continent’s most widespread form of cooperation. 

CEMR also pioneered the push for local autonomy, adopting the European Charter of Municipal Liberties in 1953, which later inspired the Council of Europe’s European Charter of Local Self-Government. 

In 1984, CEMR officially added “Regions” to its name, reflecting its advocacy for decentralisation and the growing importance of regional governance. 

What We Do Today 

CEMR’s mission is organised around four “Ps”: People, Places, Planet, and Partnerships. 

  • Advocacy: Representing local and regional interests to the EU, the Council of Europe, OECD, and the United Nations. CEMR works to ensure that 70% of EU laws affecting municipalities and regions take account of local realities. 
  • Knowledge: Sharing expertise and producing ground-breaking studies on local democracy, equality, climate action, migration, and finance. 
  • Partnerships: Leading externally funded projects on sustainable development, integration, climate, and democracy, including initiatives such as PLATFORMA, IncluCities, and the Covenant of Mayors. 
  • Communication: Reaching citizens, members, and global partners through campaigns, media work, and digital platforms. 

Looking Ahead 

Marking its 70th anniversary in 2021, CEMR reflected on past achievements while preparing for future challenges. In an age of polarisation, climate change, and digital transformation, the organisation continues to champion local democracy as the bedrock of peace and progress. 

As former CEMR President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing once urged Europe’s young people: “Today, power is there for the taking! It is the power to act, to bring on the future and to organise it.” 

Read the study here 

For more information, contact: 

GRIFFON Axelle
In Environment, Impact community Climate, Latest

Climate change

Climate Change - News

Commission invites cities to take part in ”100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030”

It’s time to turn the tide of climate change… This, at least, is the European Commission’s ambition with its new call addressed to cities to join the mission “Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities”.

The aim of this call: to achieve 100 climate-neutral and smart European cities by 2030 and to enable all European cities to follow suit by 2050.

“Joining the mission will put the selected cities right at the innovation forefront of the transition towards climate neutrality”, reads the Commission’s website. As the fight against climate change increasingly turns to deployment of solutions, cities are best placed to be the early adopters of the policies to get to climate neutrality. In the process, it will allow them to deliver multiple benefits to their communities in terms of reduced air and noise pollution, less congestion, lower energy bills and healthier lifestyles.

Reacting to this, CEMR Adviser in charge of environment and mobility, Axelle Griffon, said: “This Mission is undoubtedly a great way to provide technical and financial support to the selected cities in their transition towards climate neutrality. But there are thousands of other municipalities and regions pulling in the same direction to do more to tackle environmental and climate challenges. A higher climate ambition comes with responsibility for delivering it and we hope they will also receive support, regardless of their size. Furthermore, the Commission should make sure to strengthen synergies and connect the dots between existing initiatives involving local and regional governments such as the Covenant of Mayors.”

Cities can register for the call for expression of interest. They can respond to the call until 31 January 2022. After assessment by independent experts, the Commission will announce the list of selected participant cities by April 2022. The first cities will be able to start working on their Climate City Contracts with the support of the Mission Platform as soon as the selection process is completed.

The launch of the call took place at the Conference on European Missions at the Committee of the Regions and marks the first milestone in the implementation of the mission.

BANOS DE GUISASOLA Eva
In Climate, Energy, Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Latest, PLATFORMA, PLATFORMA, Publications

Paris agreement at the local level

Renewable Energy - News

Glasgow Climate Pact calls for “multilevel and cooperative action”

Read full position paper

“Disappointment” was a word on the lips of many at the closing on the COP26 UN climate conference in Glasgow in Saturday (13 November). The outcomes leave open many questions regarding national governments’ commitments. Local and regional governments were able however to effectively mobilise during the conference. Thanks to their advocacy efforts, the importance of municipalities, regions and “multilevel and cooperative action” is recognised in the new Glasgow Climate Pact.

“We, local and regional governments, should be proud that the Glasgow final agreement includes the multilevel cooperative model as a way forward to achieve the Paris Agreement objectives”, said CEMR Secretary General Frédéric Vallier, who was present at the COP. “This is a real achievement for municipalities and regions, regardless of the conference’smixed overall results.”

The final text has been signed off by 197 countries (from the big emitters such as China and the United States to the small island nations). It aims to keep global temperatures at 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century, the aspiration of the Paris Agreement, but fails to be more ambitious.

Room for improvement

Reacting on social media, Léonore Moncond’huy, Mayor of Poitiers (France), spokesperson of PLATFORMA and representative of Cités Unies France said: “The Glasgow Pact does not at all measure up to the climate emergency. While it was supposed to ‘save the 1.5 ° C target’, it is once again mortgaging our future by subjecting it to states’ diluted and disingenuous commitments. Without immediate action, soon + 2.7 °C.”

Earlier last week, Moncond’huy met with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and UN Executive Director Maimunah Sharif in Glasgow, expressing the need to support local governments as frontline workers on climate challenges. Her arguments were later echoed in plenary by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London: “The involvement of cities now is like day and night … nothing compared with the past.”

Local and regional governments and their associations were widely mobilised. CEMR, PLATFORMA and the Global Task Force led by UCLG were well represented at COP26 and co-organised numerous side events and bilateral meetings.

Enabling local climate action

The Glasgow Climate Pact recognises “the urgent need for multilevel and cooperative action” as well as the important role of local and regional governments in realising the Paris Agreement. As highlighted by Steven Heddle, Member of Orkney Islands Council (COSLA) and CEMR spokesperson on territorial development, this will require facilitating local governments’ access to climate finance.

“Local governments need revenue, resources and long-term loans. With these tools, we can contribute more to the objective of reducing emissions before 2050”, said Ronan Dantec, CEMR spokesperson on climate, French senator and president of Climate Chance, during one of the sessions.

The Pact includes many other provisions, such as developed countries agreeing to double funding for climate adaptation and a first global commitment to cut methane emissions by 2030.

What’s next

The next COP will take place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. Africa being the world’s youngest and most rapidly-urbanising continent, COP27 will focus on booming demography, sustainable urbanisation and financing green plans for sustainable low carbon development. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was selected to host the COP28 in 2023.

More:

For more information, contact:

GRIFFON Axelle
In Climate, Climate, Energy, Energy, Environment, Environment, Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Latest, Publications

Fit for 55 – local climate transitions

Climate neutrality - News 2024

The Fit for 55 package must empower municipalities and regions to drive Europe’s energy transition 

Read full position paper

The European Union has committed to reaching climate neutrality by 2050, with the interim goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030. To deliver on this ambition, the European Commission presented the Fit for 55 package, a comprehensive set of legislative measures across key sectors such as energy, transport and housing. Among these, the proposed revisions of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), Renewable Energy Directive (RED) and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) will directly affect Europe’s municipalities and regions. 

Local and regional governments at the heart of the transition 
CEMR fully supports ambitious climate and energy targets in line with Europe’s Green Deal and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Local and regional authorities are already leading the way in driving energy efficiency and renewable energy projects on the ground, as demonstrated by initiatives such as the Covenant of Mayors. By planning, investing and engaging with citizens, they play a central role in delivering the EU’s objectives. 

However, success will depend on empowering local governments with the necessary resources and flexibility. While binding targets on greenhouse gas reduction are welcome, CEMR stresses that national contributions to renewable energy and efficiency should remain indicative. Overly prescriptive rules, such as mandatory renovation rates for public buildings or minimum energy performance standards, risk creating administrative burdens without recognising the diversity of contexts across Europe. Instead, the EU should provide technical, financial and policy support, allowing municipalities and regions to pursue tailored solutions. 

Enabling a fair transition 
CEMR highlights three priorities to strengthen the Fit for 55 framework: 

  • Financial support and flexibility: Adequate funding and capacity-building must accompany implementation, avoiding rigid one-size-fits-all obligations.
  • Integrated approaches: Local governments should be empowered to design neighbourhood- and district-level solutions, reflecting the full life cycle of buildings and energy systems. 
  • Collaboration across levels: Stronger cooperation between EU, national, regional and local levels is essential to ensure effective delivery, knowledge sharing and citizen engagement. 

Local and regional governments are indispensable partners in Europe’s journey to climate neutrality. By recognising their central role and ensuring adequate resources, the EU can enable municipalities and regions to lead fair and sustainable energy transitions, making climate neutrality a reality for citizens across Europe. 

Read the policy paper here 

For more information, contact: 

GRIFFON Axelle
In Climate, Energy, Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Latest, Publications

Local green recovery in Europe 

Climate - News

Discover our infographic and key messages for COP26

After much delay and uncertainty to due to COVID crisis, it’s finally happening: the 26th UN summit on climate change (COP26) is taking place in Glasgow, Scotland, from 31 October to 12 November.

On this occasion, CEMR has prepared an infographic on “Ensuring a local green recovery in Europe: 5 key facts for local implementation of the Paris Agreement”. The visual vividly shows why tackling climate change is a human and environmental necessity and why local and regional action are critical to successfully shift to sustainability.

Do not hesitate to share this infographic far and wide! Please contact us if you would like to localise the infographic in your own language.

Key messages to achieve carbon-neutral territories

We have also prepared 6 key messages as the core of our advocacy on behalf of local and regional governments at the COP26 summit. These messages are:

  1. The Paris Agreement needs to be delivered now covering both mitigation and adaptation at all levels.
  2. Local and regional leadership and action are key to strengthening work at international level within UNFCCC and in collaboration with global partners.
  3. Providing appropriate regulatory frameworks, financial and technical resources is essential for the implementation of Local and Regional Governments’ climate action.
  4. The localisation and territorialisation of the Sustainable Development Goals are fundamental to have a positive impact on the ground.
  5. Climate justice and social equity need to go hand in hand to combat climate change inequalities efficiently.
  6. Resilience and recovery should be the opportunity focus to guide society out of the pandemic crisis.

For more detailed information, discover our position paper: “Ready for COP: Key messages for local led implementation of the Paris Agreement”.

CEMR and PLATFORM at the COP

Discover the list of events at which CEMR and PLATFORMA representatives will be speaking.

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