• Posted 19-Oct-2020

European Commission and European Committee of the Regions launch cooperation to deliver the Green Deal locally

The European Commission and the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) committed to a new phase of cooperation to accelerate the delivery of the Green Deal in Europe's regions and cities.

During a debate with Frans Timmermans, the European Commission's Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal called on local and regional governments to take ownership and shape the Green Deal in areas falling under their competencies. The CoR's members welcomed the cooperation, backing the Green Deal as the EU's main means to ensure a green and inclusive economic recovery in all regions, cities and villages.

The new cooperation aims to give local and regional governments the support and knowledge they need to apply more effectively for national recovery and EU funds to make the Green Deal real in every community, specifically in improving the energy efficiency of buildings, developing sustainable transport and protecting natural habitats.

The two institutions will work together to empower and mobilise local and regional governments in Europe whilst working with national governments to place the Green Deal at the heart of their national investment plans.

The CoR recently launched the Green Deal Going Local working group to ensure that the EU's sustainable growth strategy and the COVID-19 recovery plans translate into direct funding for cities and regions.

A compilation of 200 best practices from CoR members was handed to Vice-President Frans Timmermans, showing how cities and regions are already delivering the transition on the ground through concrete projects related to energy efficiency, low-emission transport, sustainable food management and green infrastructure.

Source: European Committee of the Regions News (https://bit.ly/31iUO0w)