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GRIFFON Axelle
In Environment, Impact community Climate, Press

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, PLATFORMA, Press, 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, Press

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, PLATFORMA, PLATFORMA, Press, 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, Press, 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, Press, 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.

GRIFFON Axelle
In Energy, Impact community Climate, Press

Fit for 55

Climate - News

What the EU’s mammoth climate and energy package means for local governments

If the European Green Deal set general objectives for a more sustainable and eventually carbon-neutral Europe, the Fit for 55 package presented earlier this year outlines the legislative measures to achieve this. This analysis highlights a few of the package’s major proposals: energy efficiency, alternative fuel infrastructure and forests.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen put the attainment of climate neutrality by 2050 at the core of her political agenda with the adoption of the Green Deal a few months after taking office in 2019. The intermediary target of reducing emissions by at least 55% by 2030 is enshrined in the Climate Law adopted in early 2021.

Published ahead of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow in November, the Fit for 55 package contains 13 legislative and non-legislative proposals[1]. These aim to raise the ambitions of several EU policies in the fields of climate, energy, environment, buildings, forests and transport, while ensuring a socially fair transition.

The creation of an EU Social Climate Fund  has been proposed as part of the revision of the EU emissions trading system (EU ETS). The ETS reform will extend emissions trading to cover the building and road transport sectors. Emissions from these sectors will not be covered by the existing EU ETS, but by a new, separate emissions trading system. The Social Climate Fund is meant to address the social impacts that would arise from the new system.

Energy efficient buildings: 3% renovation target is excessive

The Commission proposes to amend the Energy Efficiency Directive to require EU countries to collectively ensure an additional reduction of energy consumption of 9% by 2030 compared to the objectives set for 2020.

A key element for the public sector – including local and regional governments – is a requirement to achieve an annual energy consumption reduction of 1.7% and to renovate each year at least 3% of the total floor area of buildings owned by all levels of public administration.

CEMR is concerned about this obligation as presented. A certain level of flexibility should be applied insofar as emission reductions are proven. Many  public buildings are older or even historic buildings, and therefore a uniform 3% annual renovation target would be too onerous for local and regional governments.

Alternative fuel instracture: coordination needed between all levels of government

A revised directive will set a number of mandatory national targets for the deployment of infrastructure so road vehicles can use alternative fuels, such as electricity, hydrogen or natural gas. It is crucial that Member States engage with municipalities and regions to ensure that the measures implemented by different governance levels reinforce and leverage impact.

The transition to alternative fuels also requires strong technical resources and capacity. Local and regional governments need technical expertise, enabling measures for joint public procurement and adequate financial support to make this transition a reality.

Forests: 3 billion trees to be planted by 2030

Within the new EU Forest Strategy, the European Commission aims to improve the quantity and quality of forests. Acting as carbon sinks, forests contribute to reducing emissions and are essential to maintaining biodiversity. The Commission is notably calling for a strict protection of remaining EU primary and ancient forests (today estimated at 3% of the EU’s territory). In addition, the EU wants 3 billion additional trees to be planted by 2030.

The strategy has been under discussion for some time with a wide range of stakeholders, including local and regional representatives. They call for sustainable forest management with a balance between three pillars: environment, social and economy.

Next steps

The Fit for 55 package has a strong territorial dimension given that a wide range of actions to attenuate or mitigate climate change are taking place at local or regional level. Moreover, climate change disproportionately affects certain vulnerable territories and populations.

While the majority of the proposals do not directly target local and regional governments, they will have a significant impact on them. This is why the local and regional level needs appropriate resources to comply with the legislation and cannot be left unsupported. The local and regional perspective must be well reflected in the legislative proposals going forward.

The CEMR Secretariat will closely follow the negotiations in the Parliament and the Council for the most relevant proposals, notably on energy efficiency, renewables, buildings and transport.

[1] The proposals include revisions and amendments to existing legislation:

  • Revision of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS)
  • Revision of the Regulation on LULUCF and Effort Sharing Regulation
  • Amendment of the Renewable Energy Directive
  • Amendment of the Energy Efficiency Directive
  • Revision of the Energy Tax Directive
  • Revision of the Directive on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure
  • Revision of the Regulation setting CO2 emission performance standards for cars

New proposals:

  • Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
  • Social Climate Fund
  • New EU Forest Strategy

And future proposals:

  • Revision of the energy performance of Buildings Directive
  • Revision of the Third Energy Package for gas
GRIFFON Axelle
In Energy, Impact community Climate, Press

World Climate Awards

Climate - Press

Paris and Samsø are “climate leaders”, says UN

The UN has revealed the winners of the 10th anniversary edition of its Global Climate Action Awards. Among the winners are the City of Paris and the Danish island-municipality of Samsø. The two municipalities were awarded the title of “climate leaders”.

Paris was recognised for its efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, to expand the use of solar panels to 20% of Parisian rooftops and to become a 100% bikeable city.

Samsø, with a population of around 3700, has already become net carbon zero through the use of renewable energy, electric vehicles and biomass.

The awards serve as another example that all places – urban or rural, great or small, central or peripheral – can do their part and have an impact against climate change.

GRIFFON Axelle
In Environment, Impact community Climate, Press

World Conservation Congress

Environment - News

Local and regional governments have a “vital role” in preserving biodiversity

Mayors, regional leaders and local government associations met on Wednesday (8 September) at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Marseille to affirm the essential role that local and regional governments play in preserving biodiversity. The participants also raised the alarm on the continuing decline of biodiversity, notably given the interdependence between the environment and human health, most strikingly visible with the spread of zoonotic diseases from animals to humans.

The sessions were organised by CEMR’s French Association (AFCCRE) ahead of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) which will take place on 11 October 2021, in Kunming, China.  The event featured senior officials from different levels of government, including the EU, France, Scotland, Provence-Alpes-Côtes-d’Azur and Marseille. Among the local and regional governments networks present were UCLG, ICLEI and Regions4.

Cities and regions reaffirm their commitment to biodiversity in ‘Marseille Declaration’

During the morning session, networks of local and regional governments adopted a Declaration highlighting “the vital role of local and regional authorities in policies for the protection and restoration of species and natural spaces”. Indeed, municipalities and regions have many powerful levers of action to protect biodiversity, including environmental monitoring, spatial planning, planning of urban and natural spaces, transport, water management and decentralised cooperation with other local governments.

Ronan Dantec, a French senator, Nantes municipal councillor and CEMR spokesperson for climate, explained that “without the mobilisation of local and regional elected officials, it is obvious that we will not meet any of the objectives of reclaiming biodiversity, which depends enormously on the action we take locally”.

The Declaration also recognises the importance of biodiversity for human health and sustainability and calls for the adoption of ambitious targets for protected areas (30% of territories). Finally, the session underlined the challenges of decentralised cooperation and the search for funding.

Local-led actions engage citizens

During the event, Marianne Overton, Lincolnshire County councillor and CEMR spokesperson for environment, highlighted some of the ways local governments can contribute to biodiversity and involve citizens.

Citizens have shown a growing interest in green spaces since the coronavirus lockdowns. Among countless examples of local environmental action, the Forest of Dean District, UK, recently released a toolkit to guide building professionals and homeowners through their Net Zero Carbon housing project.

Councillor Overton observed “many successful actions have already been taken at city level, but a coordinated and comprehensive approach remains a challenge”. That is one reason the European Commission has launched the Green City Accord, an initiative encouraging the exchange of experience between cities working for the green transition.

Decentralised cooperation: municipalities and regions’ international action for biodiversity

That afternoon PLATFORMA and AFCCRE also held a session on decentralised cooperation’s role in protecting biodiversity. Local, regional and European officials discussed how municipalities and regions’ international action in this area, notably in sharing expertise on the causes of biodiversity loss and best practices for finding nature-based solutions.

GRIFFON Axelle
In Environment, Impact community Climate, Press

Green Workshop 

Environment - News section

How cities can meet their environmental commitments

The signatories of the Green City Accord go the extra mile to ensure their citizens enjoy a cleaner and healthier future by planning effective initiatives in five target areas: air, water, nature and biodiversity, waste and circular economy, and noise.

Over 60 cities have signed the Green City Accord so far and many are in the midst of creating innovative blueprints that will help them meet their commitments.

The Green City Accord consortium is excited to organise a workshop on 29 September at 10:00-12:30 CEST entitled ‘The Green City Accord: How to implement your commitment’. This interactive event will introduce the specific steps needed to plan and meet the Green City Accord requirements, in addition to providing cities with an opportunity to express their support needs in this process.

The workshop will be held in English. Signatory cities, soon-to-be signatories and supporter organisations can register here.

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