Environment 36

At COP23, European towns and regions reaffirm their commitment to building decarbonised and sustainable societies. Local and regional governments are already on the frontlines of the climate transition, implementing concrete measures that bring global climate goals to life at the community level. As Mayor Juan Espadas of Seville and Mayor Furio Honsell of Udine underline:

Towns, regions and countries should all stand side by side to reach a sustainable planet. At COP23, let’s work together to achieve a decarbonised and sustainable future for everyone.

Key Messages from Local and Regional Governments

Global climate agendas are only achieved with local action
Cities and regions are essential for turning international commitments into reality. Localising the Agenda 2030 and strengthening multilevel alliances ensures that national and international targets translate into measurable change on the ground.

Appropriate financial and political frameworks are crucial
Ambitious local climate action depends on strong frameworks that provide resources and recognition. National governments must formally acknowledge local authorities as legitimate partners and equip them with the means to lead mitigation and adaptation efforts.

Governing together for a stronger impact
Tackling climate change requires collaboration at all levels. Early involvement of towns, cities and regions in national and international policymaking strengthens implementation and creates unity of purpose. Global initiatives such as the Covenant of Mayors demonstrate the power of collective local action.

Europe’s global responsibility
Europe must reinforce its role as a leader in protecting the planet by working hand in hand with local and regional governments. Their active participation in shaping climate policy will ensure effective, democratic and sustainable results at both the EU and global levels.

Decentralised cooperation accelerates decarbonisation
Cities have already developed extensive expertise in sustainable planning and international partnerships. Through decentralised cooperation, European towns and regions support their peers worldwide to implement climate projects, strengthening the global movement towards decarbonised societies.

The withdrawal of the US from the Paris Agreement highlights the need for all other actors to step up. Local and regional governments across Europe are ready to intensify their cooperation, within Europe and globally, to keep the world on track towards a sustainable, decarbonised future.

For more information, contact:

Senior Advisor – Global Agendas, SDGs & Climate

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

Regions driving climate action

Municipalities and regions as catalysts for COP22 progress

COP22 in Marrakesh marked a crucial moment in translating the Paris Agreement into concrete action. For Europe’s municipalities and regions, this summit was an opportunity to showcase their role as catalysts in building sustainable and decarbonised societies. Represented by CEMR and PLATFORMA, local and regional governments brought forward five key messages to ensure that climate policies are inclusive, effective, and grounded in local realities:

Embedding the subnational level in global climate governance
Since COP15, the EU has acknowledged the role of municipalities and regions in combating climate change. At COP22, local leaders urged the EU to formalise a permanent, structured dialogue, allowing subnational governments to join EU delegations in climate negotiations. This would not only strengthen governance but also ensure that national commitments reflect local realities.

Linking COP outcomes with global agendas
COP22 should not stand alone but connect to broader frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 11, and the Habitat III Urban Agenda. Local financial capacities and legal competences must be assessed early to avoid unrealistic policies or burdensome costs for municipalities.

Mobilising financial and political resources
Successful climate action requires adequate resources. CEMR and PLATFORMA highlighted the importance of EU Structural and Investment Funds, access to global climate financing, and innovative tools like sustainable public procurement. Local politicians’ direct engagement and citizen ownership are vital to building resilient and low-carbon communities.

Mainstreaming local action into EU and national policies
Climate legislation must fully integrate the local dimension. Early recognition of local authorities as legitimate actors is essential. Initiatives such as the EU Urban Agenda, Territorial Agenda 2020, and the Covenant of Mayors show how climate policies can work when municipalities are treated as true partners.

Encouraging cooperation and knowledge exchange
Sharing practices, tools, and joint initiatives among cities and regions is key to accelerating progress. Decentralised cooperation, particularly through the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Global Covenant of Mayors, demonstrates how European municipalities can support global peers in their transition to sustainable development.

CEMR and PLATFORMA reaffirmed their commitment to climate action by promoting multi-level governance, showcasing local best practices, and strengthening decentralised cooperation worldwide. Their message at COP22 was clear: local and regional governments are not bystanders but central actors in achieving a sustainable, low-carbon future. Climate action is an opportunity for green jobs, growth, and resilience, and municipalities and regions are ready to lead.

For more information, contact:

Senior Advisor – Global Agendas, SDGs & Climate

GRIFFON Axelle In Climate, Climate, Energy, Energy, Environment, Environment, Governance, Governance, Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Local finances, Local finances, Press, Publications

State ofplay – energy union

Becoming More Energy Efficient: CEMR’s Key Messages for the EU’s Legislative Review on Energy

As the European Union prepares to revise its energy legislation, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is calling on the EU and national governments to place local and regional authorities at the heart of the energy transition.

Cities and regions across Europe are already taking bold steps to become more energy-efficient, reduce emissions, and build climate-resilient communities. But to succeed, they need enabling legislation, access to funding, and recognition of their existing efforts. The forthcoming reviews of the Energy Efficiency Directive, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, and the Renewable Energy Directive are key opportunities to strengthen local involvement and accelerate the green transition.

Four Key Messages from CEMR

1. Governance: Empower Local and Regional Authorities

CEMR urges EU institutions to embrace a shift towards inclusive, multi-level governance. Local and regional governments are no longer just implementers, they are now co-drivers of the energy transition. The EU must ensure that subnational authorities are directly involved in preparing and implementing national energy and climate plans. A bottom-up approach is not only more democratic but also more effective in engaging citizens and delivering tangible results on the ground.

Many local governments have already developed Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans through initiatives like the Covenant of Mayors. These efforts show that local leadership is essential to reaching EU targets for 2030, including a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a 27% share of renewable energy.

2. Regulation: Promote Flexibility and Policy Integration

CEMR advocates for flexible regulations that acknowledge the diverse realities across Europe. While energy efficiency goals are shared, the path to achieving them must be adaptable to local contexts. The principle of subsidiarity must guide legislation, allowing local governments to balance economic, social, and environmental priorities.

Local authorities must also retain discretion in public procurement, especially when it comes to energy performance requirements. Instead of imposing rigid obligations, the EU should provide guidance and incentives, for instance, by supporting the use of life-cycle costing and encouraging innovation in decentralised energy systems.

3. Financing: Ensure Access to Funding

Ambitious targets demand robust financial support. Cities and regions need accessible and flexible financing tools to renovate public buildings, deploy renewables, and invest in low-carbon infrastructure. CEMR stresses the importance of tailored financial mechanisms, such as off-balance sheet financing and favourable loans supported by the European Investment Bank or Member States.

The EU must also address legal and procedural barriers to joint procurement and bundled investments across municipalities. Initiatives like the CITYnvest project show how collaboration can unlock innovative financing and accelerate energy-efficient renovation.

4. International Cooperation: Strengthen Global Partnerships

CEMR, together with its PLATFORMA partners, champions international cooperation among local and regional authorities. Building on the legacy of strong local governance, these partnerships support low-carbon development worldwide.

CEMR also plays an active role in global advocacy through forums like the UNFCCC COPs and Habitat summits. The international community is increasingly recognising the value of local action, and European cities are leading the way.

Conclusion

CEMR stands ready to support the EU’s energy transition, but success hinges on empowering local and regional governments. With the right governance, flexible regulation, accessible financing, and global collaboration, the EU can deliver a just, effective, and locally driven pathway to a sustainable energy future.

For more information, contact:

GRIFFON Axelle

Advisor – Environment and mobility

GRIFFON Axelle In Climate, Climate, Environment, Environment, Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Press, Publications, Waste, Waste

Circular economy starts locally

CEMR’s Priorities for Revising EU Waste Rules and Advancing the Circular Economy

Read the position paper here

With the EU revising its Waste Framework Directive as part of the broader Circular Economy Package, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is calling for an approach that respects local realities and builds true governance partnerships.

Local and regional governments are central to delivering Europe’s circular economy goals. From waste collection and recycling to raising citizen awareness, they are closest to the daily operations that make sustainability a reality.

In its 2016 position, CEMR welcomes the Commission’s shift toward a more balanced approach. It supports clearer definitions for municipal waste, realistic recycling targets, and the inclusion of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules. However, CEMR also warns against overregulation through delegated acts and stresses the importance of flexibility in areas like separate collection and biowaste.

Key recommendations include:

Respecting subsidiarity: Leave room for national and local adaptation.

Ensuring fair cost-sharing: Producers should fully cover the costs of waste linked to their products.

Supporting public investment: EU funds must clearly back local waste infrastructure.

Promoting green public procurement: Encourage but avoid overlap with procurement rules.

Looking beyond municipal waste: Industrial and commercial sectors must also be addressed.

Ultimately, CEMR sees municipalities as essential partners, not just implementers, in shaping a sustainable and job-creating circular economy. Without their full involvement and adequate resources, Europe risks missing the mark on both ambition and delivery.

For more information, contact:

GRIFFON Axelle

Advisor – Environment and mobility

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

Local voices for climate at COP21

Municipalities and regions shaping COP21 success

In December 2015, the Paris Summit (COP21) became a milestone in global climate governance. For Europe’s municipalities and regions, represented by CEMR and PLATFORMA, it was the moment to demonstrate that climate action succeeds only when local and regional governments are part of the solution. By presenting clear demands, affirming shared values, and committing to concrete actions, local leaders positioned themselves as indispensable actors in the transition to low-carbon societies.

Developing the Demands and Values

Local and regional governments brought forward a set of concrete demands to ensure their recognition in climate governance. They called for:

A structured EU dialogue to integrate the subnational dimension into the UNFCCC process.
A formal seat at the COP negotiation table for municipalities, regions, and their associations.
Stronger support for networks, enabling them to deliver unified positions and assist EU institutions.
Mainstreaming climate across all EU and national policies, ensuring local perspectives are embedded from the outset.
Recognition of green public procurement as a driver for innovation and CO₂ reduction.
Links between COP outcomes, the SDGs, and Habitat III, ensuring consistency across global agendas.
Adequate financing and research tools, including access to EU Structural and Investment Funds and international climate funds.
Better EU regulation, with early recognition of local authorities in decision-making.
Support for knowledge exchange at the subnational level in Europe and globally.

Underlying these demands are shared values: confidence in local governments’ ability to deliver, support for the EU’s climate objectives, and the conviction that climate action is also an opportunity for green jobs and sustainable growth.

Actions on the Ground

Municipalities and regions also highlighted how they are already leading by example:

Multi-actor governance: championing bottom-up approaches, engaging with all levels of government and stakeholders to tackle climate change collectively.
Local leadership: through initiatives like the Covenant of Mayors and Mayors Adapt, thousands of cities have set ambitious emission-reduction goals.
Networking for impact: collaborating across European and global networks to amplify messages and coordinate strategies.
Tools for sustainable planning: promoting the Reference Framework for Sustainable Cities (RFSC) to benchmark and guide local sustainable development.
Decentralised cooperation: supporting international partnerships where European municipalities work hand in hand with peers worldwide to advance sustainable urban development.

At COP21, local and regional governments made clear that the Paris Agreement could only succeed with their full participation. Their message was simple but powerful: municipalities and regions are closest to citizens, already delivering results, and ready to scale up climate ambition. Recognising and empowering them is not optional, it is essential to building a sustainable, low-carbon future.

For more information, contact:

Senior Advisor – Global Agendas, SDGs & Climate

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

Key messages of regions for COP21

From Lyon to Paris: Regions and Municipalities as Catalysts for COP21 Success

As the world prepared for the Paris Climate Summit (COP21), Europe’s municipalities and regions highlighted their crucial role in delivering climate action. Close to citizens and equipped with the political legitimacy to act, they are key to building sustainable and low-carbon societies.

Local governments are already leading by example. Initiatives such as the Covenant of Mayors, with thousands of signatories, show that ambitious commitments like reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 are achievable. These successes underline that global climate agendas can only succeed with strong local engagement.

CEMR and its partners call for genuine recognition of subnational governments in international negotiations. This means giving them a seat at the COP discussion table, integrating their role in EU and national strategies, and ensuring appropriate political and financial frameworks.

Decentralised cooperation is also vital. Through networks such as PLATFORMA, municipalities and regions share expertise with partners worldwide, ensuring that climate action is effective on the ground and adapted to local realities.

From Lyon to Paris, towns and regions proved they are catalysts for global climate success. Recognising and empowering them is essential for the achievement of the Paris Agreement and a sustainable future.

For more information, contact: