Position papers

The COVID-19 crisis has reshaped Europe’s economic landscape and highlighted the essential role played by local and regional governments. From enforcing public health measures to supporting vulnerable communities, municipalities and regions have borne the brunt of the pandemic’s immediate and long-term impacts, often while facing steep declines in revenues.

As the EU reflects on the future of its economic governance, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) urges a rethink of the Stability and Growth Pact to better align it with today’s realities and tomorrow’s challenges.

Local governments account for nearly half of public investment in the EU, yet current fiscal rules often restrict their capacity to finance long-term projects. CEMR’s position paper identifies several ways the framework could evolve to support recovery, green and digital transitions, and social inclusion. These include:

Stronger multi-level governance and genuine consultation with local authorities in EU economic coordination;
Greater fiscal flexibility to support sustainable and long-term local investments;
Addressing the investment backlog through accessible financing and capacity building;
Establishing a dedicated European municipal and regional investment facility within the EIB to boost green and digital development;
Ensuring that local-level contributions to the EU Green Deal are not blocked by rigid budget rules.

Reforming EU economic governance is an opportunity to recognise and unleash the potential of Europe’s cities and regions. A more balanced, investment-friendly approach will strengthen resilience, equity and sustainable growth across the Union.

For more information, contact:

THOMAS Carol

Senior Adviser, Governance, Gender Equality, Local Democracy

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

Paris agreement at the local level

Glasgow Climate Pact calls for “multilevel and cooperative action”

“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:

CEMR/PLATFORMA 6 key messages on COP26 (English and French)
CEMR infographic on “Ensuring a local green recovery in Europe”
PLATFORMA video COP26 | Local actions make global change

For more information, contact:

BANOS DE GUISASOLA Eva

Senior Advisor – Global Agendas, SDGs & Climate

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

Fit for 55 – local climate transitions

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

Read the policy paper here

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.

For more information, contact:

Advisor – Environment and mobility

BENNIS Hamza In Digitalisation, Digitalisation, Impact community Labour, Impact community Labour, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Press, Public services, Public services, Publications

EU values in the digital space

CEMR calls for a digital transition that works for all levels of government

Local and regional governments must be fully equipped and supported in Europe’s digital transition. That’s the key message from the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) in its response to the European Commission’s consultation on EU digital principles.

As frontline providers of public services and facilitators of digital innovation, local and regional governments (LRGs) are key to making the digital decade a success. However, CEMR warns that this transformation must not impose new burdens or widen digital divides.

“European initiatives must support, not sideline, local governments. Funding, training and collaboration are vital,” says the organisation.

CEMR welcomes the goals outlined in the Commission’s “2030 Digital Compass,” especially the focus on digitalising public services. It highlights the importance of digital skills, cybersecurity, smart cities, and interoperability to help municipalities deliver inclusive and user-friendly digital services.

Local authorities are already investing in e-government, innovation labs, and partnerships with start-ups. But CEMR calls for better coordination between national and EU levels to avoid duplication and ensure all regions, rural and urban alike, can benefit.

CEMR also emphasises:

The need to strengthen local democracy through inclusive digital participation;

Protecting privacy and personal data under the “once-only” principle;

Supporting socially responsible platforms in the sharing economy;

Promoting open standards and seamless interoperability across administrations.

The digital transition must not leave anyone behind. From investing in digital education to adapting services for vulnerable groups, local governments play a central role in ensuring a digital Europe that is fair, accessible, and democratic.

For more information, contact:

BENNIS Hamza

Officer – Employment, Digitalisation and Public Services

GRIFFON Axelle In Climate, Climate, Energy, Energy, Environment, Environment, Housing, Housing, Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Press, Publications

Energy performance in buildings directive

CEMR calls for flexible, well-resourced revisions to the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)

Read the policy paper here

The European Green Deal aims to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, with the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) as one of its cornerstones. Buildings account for a significant share of Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions, making energy efficiency and sustainable renovation crucial to the Fit for 55 package. In its response to the consultation on the EPBD revision, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) stresses the essential role of local and regional governments (LRGs) in ensuring a successful and fair transition.

CEMR welcomes the ambition of the European Green Deal but underlines that success depends on proper implementation, adequate financial support, and respect for the principle of subsidiarity. Local and regional authorities are on the frontline of climate action, yet they need flexible frameworks rather than one-size-fits-all obligations.

Among its key recommendations, CEMR highlights:

Flexibility and subsidiarity: Member States and LRGs should be able to adopt integrated, territorial approaches to emissions reduction, focusing not only on building-level efficiency but also on neighbourhood and system-wide solutions.
Life-cycle perspective: Regulations must take into account emissions from construction materials such as steel and concrete, as well as opportunities for circularity and reuse.
Indicative, not mandatory standards: Minimum energy performance requirements and renovation targets should remain indicative to reflect local contexts, available resources, and socio-economic realities.
Equal treatment of renewable energy: Energy produced on-site and energy delivered via carriers like district heating, renewable gases or electricity grids must be treated on the same footing.
Financing and equity: Investment tools like ELENA must be adjusted to ensure accessibility, particularly for vulnerable households. Measures must avoid creating energy poverty or split incentives between landlords and tenants.

CEMR also urges the Commission to reduce administrative burdens, ensure consistency between the EPBD, the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) and the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), and reinforce cooperation across levels of governance.

Europe’s climate-neutral future depends on a resilient and efficient building sector. Local and regional governments are central actors in achieving this transformation. To succeed, the revised EPBD must provide adequate support, flexibility, and resources while avoiding rigid, burdensome rules. By empowering municipalities and regions to act according to their local realities, the EU can ensure that the green transition delivers both climate impact and social fairness.

For more information, contact:

Read the full position paper

Advisor – Environment and mobility

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

People first in Europe’s mobility shift

Sustainable and smart mobility must be built with, not just for, cities and regions

Read position paper

That’s the core message from the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) in response to the European Commission’s Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy. While CEMR supports the EU’s ambition to link transport policy with the Green Deal and Digital Agenda, it urges stronger recognition of the essential role local and regional governments play in achieving climate and mobility goals.

CEMR highlights that sustainability cannot come at the expense of connectivity, accessibility, affordability, safety and health. Local authorities must be empowered to strike the right balance between environmental ambition and citizens’ everyday mobility needs, whether in dense city centres, suburbs, or rural areas.

Key messages from CEMR include:

Partnership across levels of government is vital. Local mobility strategies must be developed in coordination with national and EU institutions, with clear roles, shared responsibilities, and sufficient funding.

Flexible, inclusive planning tools, like Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs), should be strengthened, not standardised. Cities and regions need adaptable frameworks that reflect their unique territorial challenges.

More funding and clearer access are needed for local mobility infrastructure, including investments through the Recovery and Resilience Facility, Connecting Europe Facility, and Horizon Europe mission for 100 climate-neutral and smart cities.

Policy support must go beyond technology. Behavioural change, active mobility, shared mobility and smart spatial planning are just as important as electric vehicles and digital tools.

CEMR also calls for better regulation on key issues such as alternative fuels, intelligent transport systems, public transport governance, and micromobility. At the same time, it stresses the need for EU-wide data platforms and speed adaptation systems to improve safety and enforcement.

In short, Europe’s transport transformation will only succeed if local realities shape the road ahead. Sustainable mobility starts where people live, and local governments must have a central seat at the table.

For more information, contact:

Read the full position paper

Advisor – Environment and mobility

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

Local waste water policy

CEMR urges a proportionate, flexible and locally tailored approach to EU waste water reforms

Read position paper

As the European Commission advances its revision of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD), the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) welcomes the opportunity to modernise the framework in line with the Green Deal and today’s environmental challenges.

However, CEMR stresses that a one-size-fits-all approach will not work. Instead, the revised directive must reflect the diversity of local conditions, be rooted in risk-based assessments, and align with the subsidiarity principle, allowing national and local authorities to tailor implementation to their context.

Key concerns raised by CEMR include:

Proportionality and impact: Efforts should focus where they matter most, on larger treatment plants and high-risk areas, rather than extending rigid requirements to small agglomerations or individual systems, which often pose far lower environmental risk.

Stormwater overflows and urban runoff: These should be managed through a coordinated, risk-based approach under existing national plans and the Water Framework Directive, avoiding duplication and overregulation.

Nutrient removal: CEMR supports stricter phosphorus thresholds in sensitive areas and encourages phosphorus recovery but calls for flexibility on nitrogen removal in colder climates where existing targets are technically or economically unfeasible.

Circular economy: The revision should promote pollution prevention at source, enforce the polluter pays principle, and support raw material recovery and energy efficiency across the waste water chain.

CEMR also calls for coherence across EU legislation, including alignment with the Water Framework Directive, and clear, proportionate reporting obligations for local and regional governments.

Local best practice: inspiration from the Netherlands

CEMR highlights Dutch municipalities as a model of innovation in tackling stormwater overflows and integrating water management into urban design. The “water square” in Rotterdam, for example, combines stormwater buffering with vibrant public space, showing how smart spatial planning can enhance both environmental outcomes and quality of life.

In short, the revision of the UWWTD is a vital opportunity, but success will depend on flexibility, local knowledge, and a commitment to cost-effective, risk-based solutions.

For more information, contact:

Advisor – Environment and mobility

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

Empowering local climate action

CEMR’s Joint Response to the EU Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Directive Reviews

Read joint reponse

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) submitted a joint response to the European Commission’s consultations on the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) in early 2021. This contribution reflects CEMR’s deep commitment to achieving climate neutrality by 2050 while safeguarding the role and autonomy of local and regional governments (LRGs).

CEMR supports ambitious climate targets at the EU level, with a focus on greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction. However, it argues that targets for energy efficiency and renewable energy should remain indicative at the national level, respecting the subsidiarity principle and local conditions. The organisation firmly opposes EU obligations that impose rigid requirements on LRGs, particularly concerning building renovations, public procurement, and energy planning.

A key concern is the extension of renovation obligations for public buildings to LRGs. CEMR highlights that such mandates overlook the economic realities, building uses, and planning capacities at the local level, and may burden communities with higher costs and social impacts. Instead, it advocates for flexible, cost-effective approaches tailored to local and regional contexts, supported by adequate funding, technical assistance, and capacity-building.

CEMR also calls for a technology-neutral approach to energy policy, where different forms of renewable and low-carbon energy, whether on-site, from the grid, or district heating, are treated equally. It stresses that regulations should reflect GHG savings and sustainability from a life-cycle perspective, not just the type or source of energy.

The response urges the Commission to recognise the central role of LRGs in the energy transition. This means involving them directly in National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs), ensuring multi-level governance, and avoiding overregulation that could stifle local innovation and initiative.

In short, CEMR’s response is a strong call for an EU climate framework that is ambitious, but also realistic, inclusive, and enabling, one that empowers cities and regions to lead in achieving a just and effective energy transition.

Full the joint response here

For more information, contact:

Advisor – Environment and mobility

GAUDRON Marine In Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Cohesion, Press, Publications, Territorial development, Territorial development

Empowering Europe’s rural future

CEMR urges inclusive, place-based vision for rural territories

As the European Union shapes its long-term vision for rural areas, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) calls for a fresh, inclusive approach that recognises rural territories as vibrant, diverse, and essential to Europe’s sustainable future.

In a context shaped by post-COVID realities, demographic shifts, and the need for climate resilience, CEMR stresses that rural areas must no longer be seen as peripheral or left behind. Over 50% of Europeans live in rural or peri-urban territories, yet these areas still face gaps in investment, connectivity, and access to services.

CEMR’s position lays out a clear path forward:

Shift the narrative: Rural areas are not just agricultural zones in decline, but places of opportunity, well-being, and innovation. A positive and modern image must be promoted across all levels of government.

Invest in connections: Better transport links, broadband access, and energy infrastructure are key to rural inclusion. Public investment must step in where market failures persist.

Strengthen local governance: Municipalities and regions are best placed to tailor solutions to their rural communities. They must be true partners in designing and delivering EU and national policies.

Support rural services and quality of life: Equal access to health, education, culture, and mobility is crucial to prevent depopulation and ensure territorial cohesion.

Target EU funding more effectively: Cohesion Policy, CAP, Horizon Europe, and recovery instruments must better support rural-specific needs, with simplified access for small municipalities.

Foster youth engagement and gender equity: Making rural areas attractive for young people, women, and families will require tailored policies and investment in social infrastructure.

CEMR calls on the EU, Member States, and institutions like the OECD and Council of Europe to take these principles seriously and to build rural policies that are integrated, inclusive, and future-focused. From tourism and energy to local governance and public services, rural areas must be seen as full contributors to Europe’s social and territorial fabric.

For more information, contact:

GAUDRON Marine

Advisor – Territorial Cohesion & Local Finances

BANOS DE GUISASOLA Eva In Climate, Climate, Energy, Energy, Environment, Environment, EU Covenant of Mayors, EU Covenant of Mayors, Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, PLATFORMA, PLATFORMA, Press, Projects and Programmes, Projects and programmes, Publications

Local action for climate at COP26

Municipalities and regions are essential to implementing the Paris Agreement and achieving the SDGs

As the world prepares for COP26, the urgency of implementing the Paris Agreement is clearer than ever. Delays are no longer acceptable: ambitious climate action must be delivered across all levels of governance, with municipalities and regions at the forefront. Local leadership, appropriate regulatory frameworks, and decentralised solutions will be crucial to achieving carbon neutrality and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Tackling climate change requires ambitious leadership, and local governments are uniquely positioned to deliver practical results. Cities and regions across Europe are already setting climate targets and developing local solutions to global challenges. Their involvement in international processes, such as through the Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) constituency, ensures that local voices shape global action.

Effective climate policies also depend on appropriate regulatory and financial support. EU and national frameworks must acknowledge the diversity of local realities, enabling tailored solutions. Adequate funding, capacity-building, and investment are necessary to empower municipalities and regions to meet their commitments. Initiatives like the European Green Deal and a just transition should ensure no community is left behind.

Finally, the localisation of the SDGs is inseparable from the climate agenda. With 65% of SDG targets linked to local action, decentralised approaches and multi-level governance are vital. Embedding the 2030 Agenda into territorial strategies will ensure that global commitments translate into tangible improvements in communities.

The path to COP26 underscores a simple truth: global goals can only be achieved through local action. By supporting municipalities and regions with resources, recognition, and a genuine role in decision-making, the EU and international community can ensure that the Paris Agreement and SDGs are implemented effectively, delivering a sustainable and resilient future for all.