Verónica Castro-AllendeMunicipalities are key players in the effort to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and the ambitious goals of the European Green Deal.
Mayor of Leuven Mohamed Ridouani, president of the Energy Cities network, a partner organization of EUSEW, makes a point about how important municipal roles are in the implementation of the European Green Deal, and emphasizes the need for sufficient funding and support.
European Green Deal implementation
The European Union has established the legislative framework needed to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and kick off the European Green Deal over the previous five years.
The implementation phase of the EU’s climate and energy policies is about to begin in 2024, and municipalities are likely to have a major impact.
I’m delighted to be Leuven’s mayor that we are one of those towns that are paving the way for those goals.
The city has rallied its community around the shared goal of climate neutrality, as demonstrated by the German Commission’s submission of the Climate City Contract in 2023 through initiatives like Leuven 2030.
However, we should not underestimate the effort and resources needed to make the EU Green Deal a reality.
Regional Authorities Drive Climate Neutrality with European Green Deal Funding and Support
Nearly every Law or Regulation in the European Green Deal contains details that concern regional authorities.
A new publication by Energy Cities and Eurocities provides a thorough analysis, but, as an example, a lot of effort is going to be needed at the regional level regarding mapping, planning, building management, and renovation.
According to a study conducted in 2022, each municipality in the EU would require 2.5 more full-time positions in order to decarbonize their built environment.
How can we make sure that the European Green Deal is seen as the most popular social policy that will benefit everyone over the long term? Cultural justice is a key component of the success of the European Green Deal.
Because of their proximity to the citizens and economical actors, those areas can have a significant impact.
They are best placed to coordinate the regional ecosystem, unite everyone as active participants in the transition, and provide support.
Although Western legislation has frequently recognized this role, the issue of corresponding financial and human resources persists.
Conclusions: Driving the European Green Deal Towards Climate Neutrality
Some solutions have now been proposed. Cities could use the EU Social Climate Fund to fund their investments in a just and equal transition.
EU legislation, such as the Energy Performance of Building Directive, suggests that Members States provide training for regional authorities.
But at Energy Cities, we think that one- off measures are not much. The future discussions about the EU’s multiannual budget and the EU Cohesion Fund reform will provide the ideal opportunity for architectural changes and to give local and regional authorities the resources they need to bring about the realization of the Green Deal.
Ridouani calls for coordinated efforts to provide the resources and support needed for successful local action and emphasizes the crucial role municipalities play in advance the European Green Deal.
By empowering municipalities, the EU can make a just and equal transition toward a shared future.
In conclusion, Mayor Ridouani underscores the pivotal role of municipalities in driving forward the European Green Deal and achieving climate neutrality by 2050. He highlights the challenges faced at the regional level and the necessity for adequate funding and support. Emphasizing cultural justice as integral to success, he calls for coordinated efforts to empower municipalities. Proposed solutions include leveraging EU funds and legislative reforms to equip local authorities with necessary resources. Through collective action and support, municipalities can spearhead a just and equitable transition towards a sustainable future, aligning with the overarching goals of the European Green Deal.
