Opinion of the European Committee of the Regions — Next steps for a sustainable European future — European action for sustainability
Date: 2017-07-12
Institutions: Commission for Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External Affairs, European Committee of the Regions
Subjects: EU financial instrument, EU policy, EU relations, EU situation, European Union, economic and social cohesion, sustainable development








C_2017342EN.01002001.xml










12.10.2017   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 342/20





Opinion of the European Committee of the Regions — Next steps for a sustainable European future — European action for sustainability
(2017/C 342/03)












Rapporteur:



Franco Iacop (PES/IT), President of the Regional Council of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia





Reference document:



Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions — Next steps for a sustainable European future — European action for sustainability
COM(2016) 739 final









POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS (CoR)

Introduction









1.


Welcomes the European Commission’s commitment to making an active and constructive contribution to reaching the strategic objectives set out in the 2030 Agenda, paving the way for tackling a number of key and integrated global challenges;












2.


notes that the planning document, adopted as a communication by the Commission on 22 November 2016, proposes a very ambitious and wide-ranging strategy which focuses on sustainable development;












3.


acknowledges the Commission’s efforts to link the Agenda with the Europe 2020 Strategy and thereby with the European Structural and Investment Funds; given the complexity and the multitude of different reference frameworks, underlines the need for policy coherence, mainstreaming and a consistent governance framework;












4.


highlights that in order to achieve results it is essential to involve all levels of government in the decision-making process, particularly local and regional authorities (LRAs);





General comments









5.


notes that, as the policies of the European Union (EU) must comply with the principle of subsidiarity, the sustainability objectives are directly related to the responsibilities, competences and functions of subnational levels of government;












6.


insists that local and regional authorities — regions, provinces, counties, districts, metropolitan cities, small cities and municipalities — are fully-fledged policy-makers, tasked with identifying the most appropriate levels and methods of government for linking the overarching EU and UN objectives with those of local communities;












7.


stresses that out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, two require local governments to perform key tasks, namely SDGs 10 and 11. The former aims to reduce inequalities between territories, while the latter relates to carrying out essential functions in the areas of urban planning, transport, social welfare and sustainable lifestyles;












8.


points out in this context that the Communication does not examine the need to measure progress on attaining the SDGs, either at UN, European and national level or at subnational level; calls therefore on the European Commission to bear this dimension in mind when developing further the indicators used to measure progress and to involve local expertise and existing networks;












9.


highlights the additional priorities stemming from the integrated performance of functions with a cross-cutting impact on other strategic objectives, such as the Urban Agenda, social inclusion, EU climate and energy policy, emissions reductions, disaster risk reduction, environmental policy, the circular economy, mobility, smart specialisation and smart cities (smart lands), the subject of the Bratislava summit and the Covenant of Mayors on climate and energy;












10.


proposes capitalising on the mid-term review of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) in order to ensure overlap between the 2030 Agenda and Europe 2020, by reviewing the key guidelines and gearing them to the new SDGs from the outset;












11.


welcomes the efforts made in the working document accompanying the Communication on Key European action supporting the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SWD (2016) 390 final) to align the Europe 2020 Strategy with the objectives of the 2030 Agenda, building on the connections between the three pillars, the seven flagship initiatives, the five objectives linked to the Europe 2020 priorities and those linked to the eleven thematic Cohesion Fund objectives;












12.


stresses that in any event, if they are to be achieved, the objectives set out by the Commission in its communication on a sustainable European future will all have to be deployed locally. In this regard, recommends embedding the Agenda 2030 objectives at local level, as this is the only way of making a real and lasting impact on people’s lives;












13.


agrees with the fact that the complexity of different levels of government calls for guidance and monitoring, bringing the benefits of policy evaluation and institutional innovation (measuring the effects) to the decision-making process;












14.


takes the view that some of the linkages between the Juncker Commission’s priorities and the SDGs are in areas of significance for LRAs. This is especially the case with the employment priority, in that it covers the same competences as those referred to in SDG 4 (training and education), an area where local and regional bodies exercise considerable powers, especially where the costs of transition to a sustainable Europe are concerned;












15.


hopes that the Commission’s Investment Plan also covers tangible and intangible assets within the remit of local and regional bodies (social protection, IT, mobility, energy and telecommunications networks, waste disposal, integrated water management, etc.), many of which dovetail with various SDGs (including Nos 8, 9, 12 and 13);












16.


points out that Commission priority No 3, A resilient Energy Union with a forward-looking climate change policy, also interfaces with a range of SGDs in an area of interest to LRAs. The same applies to SDGs 5, 7 and 13, where LRAs are both beneficiaries and protagonists in policies designed to combat climate change, as well as those designed to ensure a sustainable, universally accessible energy supply and to protect social rights, which rely on services provided at local level if they are to be guaranteed;












17.


notes that priority No 7, which aims to create an area of justice and protection of fundamental rights based on mutual trust, includes policies on gender equality, in which LRAs can play a significant role, fully commensurate with SDG 5 as well as the need to win back people’s trust in the European institutions;












18.


reiterates that disaster resilience is one of the key aspects of sustainable development and calls on the institutions of the European Union to ensure that this principle is one of the central pillars of future sustainable development measures in Europe (1);












19.


notes that priority No 8 seeks to tackle migration on an unprecedented and global scale, bringing it fully into line with SDGs 1 and 10 and involving many cross-cutting LRA competences, which are very often under immense pressure to manage migratory flows of an exceptional nature;





Specific comments









20.


observes that, in contrast to Cohesion Policy, it may not always be possible to place the action taken to achieve the SDGs in a framework of integrated policies. It is therefore vital to set priorities that correspond to the most pressing needs, adopting a dynamic approach in the interests of attaining all the objectives in the long-term. It is thus essential to take account of the CoR’s proposal on the need to approve a code of conduct for the involvement of LRAs;












21.


points out that the objectives, require a balance to be struck between current needs and those of future generations, as well as between the needs of the different levels of government. The latter is essential for reducing burdensome transition costs to be shouldered by LRAs. If costs are not sustainable this may pose a threat to the public acceptance and effective implementation of the measures in question, in particular threatening the ability of more marginalised (internal) areas to contribute to global sustainability and more generally to the durability of the SDGs;












22.


notes the time mismatch between European (2020) measures referred to in the communication and the 2030 Agenda, while hoping that additional economic and financial instruments will be made available and that the objectives will be redefined throughout the entire duration of the reference timeframe, in line with those of the Agenda;












23.


regrets that the communication does not include an assessment of potential risks in the implementation phase of the 17 SDGs. This could be of great assistance in equipping LRAs with appropriate tools to deal with any problems that crop up in the course of implementing policies related to the goals. Ensuring that all indicators are geared to the local level is crucial for ongoing monitoring of trends in inequality — including through the use of indicators other than GDP, such as qualitative indicators capable of measuring the fairness of development and social progress in the regions;












24.


highlights that if a subset of local and regional level objectives is to be achieved, it will have to be properly funded. The necessary resources could be made available by means of specific transfers from the national level, but also by conferring greater budgetary powers on local bodies;












25.


believes that there is a need to promote platforms and initiatives that allow LRAs to share good practices and make use of know-how already made available by established bodies, such as the UNDP Live Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform, to prevent the Agenda from being used as an opportunity to recentralise policies. To this end, the CoR looks forward to the launch of the multistakeholder platform announced by the Commission in order to facilitate the roll-out of the universal elements contained in the Agenda at local and regional level, and, above all, to promote the exchange of good practice and the sharing of progress made by the most dynamic European regions; expects to be associated to this platform in the appropriate manner in its institutional role as the assembly representing local and regional authorities;












26.


recognises that improving living conditions in the EU will depend, in addition to our ability to strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion, on well-being and security in the neighbouring countries. In this respect, in line with the new approach set out in the Commission’s communication on a new European Consensus, strongly urges stepping up support for decentralised cooperation with and development of third countries, by promoting the use of LRA platforms for information and discussion on development: the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM) and the Conference of Regional and Local Authorities for the Eastern Partnership (CORLEAP), the biennial Assises of decentralised cooperation and the atlas of decentralised cooperation, which provide partner countries with the opportunity to meet, talk and exchange good practice;












27.


endorses the Commission’s position on the Urban Agenda for the EU adopted with the Pact of Amsterdam in 2016,which will be implemented in cooperation with LRAs in order to cover all aspects of sustainable development and contribute to the implementation of the global New Urban Agenda;












28.


deems it necessary for strategies in support of sustainable urban development and horizontal and vertical cooperation, within a participatory governance system, to take account of the diversity of cities and of the importance of social innovation and future-oriented planning, by employing an integrated and coordinated approach, particularly when addressing key challenges with the aim of improving quality of life in cities;












29.


recommends analysing the 2030 Agenda to ensure that its objectives are consistent with the European development model, based as it is on local production systems (clusters), comprised mainly of SMEs. To this end, hopes that the development models also pay particular attention to the development of smaller urban centres, as an excessive concentration of local and regional development can end in the trap of underdevelopment, which, in turn, may result in marginalisation and population decline;












30.


values the fact that the communication highlights the various facets of sustainable development — social, environmental and economic — as pillars upon which the Commission’s policies must converge in order to provide solutions in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals and the 13 sectoral policies adopted under the 2014-2020 MFF. Believes, however, that in the face of new global challenges, local development must be given a boost by adding a local and regional dimension;












31.


emphasises that LRAs must be recognised as key players in policies, due to their proximity to citizens and their potential to contribute to rebuilding consensus on the European institutions and the European project. Multilevel Governance is the ideal approach for policies that aim to build a sustainable future and combine the 10 Commission priorities with the 11 thematic goals of the Cohesion Funds and the 17 SDG goals of the 2030 Agenda.





Enhancing the impact of policies under the social pillar









32.


reiterates that centrally-managed, top-down policies and programmes are not the best methods to address the complexities of sustainable development and to tackle poverty. Instead, LRAs should be given the responsibility and autonomy required to respond properly to major social issues;












33.


stresses the need to strengthen policies enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union with sustainable social policy planning that involves all tiers of governance. This is the only way to ensure access for all to basic services and permit a response to new demands posed by demographic change using local policies geared to facilitating active and healthy ageing;












34.


highlights that the Commission should work towards policies that aim to promote people’s health as a prerequisite for social inclusion, improving living conditions in urban and suburban areas, as well as guaranteeing access to public services, recreational activities and sport — including for disabled people — and promoting preventive healthcare for all, including older people, migrants and other demographic groups that are at risk of poverty and social exclusion; encourages Member States and local and regional authorities to do the same;












35.


considers the potential of the social economy to be in creating jobs and tackling unemployment among young people and women. It is therefore essential that the Agenda draw attention to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the need to create empathy among young people and entrepreneurship. Moreover, the new strategy must — by adopting a cross-cutting approach — include the different facets of sustainability and the new prospects offered by creativity;












36.


considers it necessary to include culture in the 2030 Agenda, clearly underlining the role that it plays in relation to sustainable development and job creation by furthering the construction of shared European ideals to be disseminated worldwide: the aspirations and principles of democracy, social justice and solidarity. Culture contributes effectively to inclusive development strategies and has a considerable impact on SDGs and improving education systems by fighting social exclusion and poverty, removing the causes of inequality, facilitating equal opportunities and dismantling generational and demographic disparities;





Enhancing the impact of policies under the environment pillar









37.


stresses that seemingly global issues, such as climate change, reduction of CO2 emissions, energy saving, renewable energy production, protection of biodiversity, reduction of resource exploitation, integrated transport and the circular economy, are actually conditioned by local policies and action. To this end, recommends that particular attention be paid to environmentally-friendly production;












38.


considers it necessary, given the wide range of sectors involved, to adopt an integrated and cooperative approach between multilevel governance and the environmental stakeholders concerned. In this respect, the concept of cohesion builds bridges between economic effectiveness, social cohesion, cultural development and environmental balance, putting sustainable development at the heart of policy-making;












39.


agrees that human activity and climate change are putting increasing pressure on marine ecosystems. As such, consideration should be given to the measures taken by the Commission to make the oceans safe and clean, to ensure that they are managed in a sustainable manner and to support the implementation of the Blue Growth Agenda, which aims to capture the potential of Europe’s oceans and seas to create jobs, economic value and sustainability. Furthermore, reiterates that innovation in the blue economy can help in ensuring an efficient and sustainable use of precious marine resources (2);












40.


calls for a commitment on the part of all the institutions to minimise food waste and to recover waste, thereby driving investment and employment in the wider context of the green economy. The EU must make a firm commitment to discarding the linear economic model in order to boost the circular economy, as highlighted previously by the CoR in its opinions Towards a circular economy: review of EU waste legislation, Legislative proposals amending the waste directives and An EU action plan for the Circular Economy;





Enhancing the impact of policies under the economic pillar









41.


takes the view that development models, shaped by new competitive factors, including networks interconnecting an infinite quantity of data with an unlimited number of users, reflect a clear disconnect between the need for businesses to reduce the time to market and the time spent on consensus-building and bureaucratic formalities. LRAs are the appropriate level to bring policy decision-making up to the speed dictated by the markets;












42.


calls for real support for development models and, in particular, support for intangible networks that influence new local competitive factors and the transition to new production models by facilitating access to an infinite number of data;












43.


thinks it is high time to develop strategies that activate structural policies so that the core development pillars embrace the radical change in the production model, favouring sustainable production — including with incentives — until innovation makes the transition to the circular economy economically viable. It is clear that such policies not only help to overcome the onerous new challenges posed by globalisation, but also constitute a clear response to the trade-off between social demands that pit the environment against jobs;












44.


recognises that globalisation, driven above all by improved mobility of persons, products and data, is fuelling international competition not only between firms, but also between regions. Resolute action is therefore needed to address the factors determining regional competitiveness, such as social and institutional capital, infrastructure and innovation, in order to revitalise European economies;












45.


reiterates that LRAs have a crucial role to play in the relationship between public-private partnerships, as they are able to recognise the diversity of forms of development able to generate investments that make the most of the local resources inherent in each region;





Enhancing the impact of policies under the territorial dimension pillar









46.


regrets that the concept of ‘territorial capital’, as defined by the OECD in 2001 and taken up by the Commission in 2005, is completely missing from the Commission communication. By way of a reminder, the concept refers to a set of local assets — natural, human, artificial, organisational, relational and cognitive — representing a region’s competitive potential;












47.


notes that the crisis and the effects of globalisation have had a profound impact on relations that guaranteed cohesion between the territories, creating rifts (between city and countryside, centres and peripheral areas) and altering the dynamics of societal development. With this in mind, we must bear the cost of transforming old territorial policy models, characterised by a functional approach which considered the area simply as a space, into a new institutional matrix granting the regions the role of collective player;












48.


The Pact of Amsterdam places the role of urban policies that aim to implement measures to boost social cohesion and economic development at the centre of growing interest, in the belief that cities can contribute positively to the process of innovation;




RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE REGIONAL AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES








49.


highlights the fact that LRAs play a key role in protecting and developing urban environments, rural areas and the common heritage, and can make a contribution to what the 2030 Agenda describes as a ‘transformed world’ by being proactive and committed to:






a.


improving their own strategic management capacity;










b.


fostering a civil society that is aware and has high expectations;










c.


developing integrated urban and territorial planning;










d.


promoting local economic opportunities to create decent jobs and social cohesion;










e.


promoting regional sustainable development plans/strategies, linking the SGDs to policy objectives, and revising and adapting programmes so that they respond to the challenges of sustainable development, thereby contributing to the formulation of National Reform Programmes (NRPs);










f.


guiding the transition towards a low-carbon economy and towards resilient cities and regions;










g.


supporting the development of sustainable urban mobility plans;










h.


recognising and promoting the role of culture in sustainable development and enhancing the local heritage, creativity and diversity;










i.


encouraging economic, social and cultural stakeholders, universities and scientific research centres and individual members of the public to take part in designing plans and initiatives to meet the SDGs, in cooperation with the Joint Research Centre involved in the ‘Science meets Regions’ initiative;










j.


promoting educational programmes for sustainable development in schools and cultural activities which address the problem of sustainability;










k.


including ‘fair and sustainable well-being indicators’ in the regional law-making cycle and regional budgets;










l.


establishing partnerships in the context of decentralised cooperation for development;
















50.


recalls that LRAs are able to develop forms of participatory democracy, in particular through the inclusion of women, young people, older people and minorities, as a basis for planning and implementing integrated strategies for economic development at local level;




RECOMMENDATIONS AT NATIONAL LEVEL








51.


advocates a bottom-up approach, establishing an appropriate legal framework and allocating sufficient resources. A new system of this kind can only be successfully created through ever deeper decentralisation in the various EU Member States. National governments should:






a.


promote shared governance and genuine decentralisation, which allows for the participation of all players involved not only during the upstream stages, but also in the downstream ones;










b.


design coherent, integrated urban and regional policies in consultation with subnational governing bodies, particularly when developing the NRPs;










c.


reorganise subnational financing arrangements to ensure that sustainability is matched by funding;










d.


involve local and regional bodies in the follow-up to the SDGs, backed up by precise regional data;
















52.


emphasises that national governments must involve the LRAs and cities, preferably through a bottom-up approach, in planning local activities to achieve the SDGs, taking into account strengths and weaknesses on the basis of the principles of ‘no-one left behind’ and efficient spending;




RECOMMENDATIONS AT EU AND INTERNATIONAL LEVEL








53.


believes that if global policies and agreements are to reap the full benefit of local commitment and experience, LRAs must be an integral part of the structured dialogue and governance, and not a mere stakeholder. Their work in organising and producing informed input must be acknowledged as being part and parcel of the decision-making process by, for example:






a.


including organised networks of LRAs in the governing bodies of international development organisations;










b.


strengthening financing instruments and reviewing local sustainable development policies;










c.


encouraging decentralised development, including with non-EU countries, and sharing lessons learned and knowledge to foster innovation;
















54.


asks the EU and national authorities to set aside resources to cover ex ante and ex post impact assessments of policies relating to sustainable development. This will call for improved coordination of all policies implemented, both by the EU and Member States and by the LRAs;












55.


calls on the Commission to use NRPs — which have already been formally included in the programming of the Cohesion Fund — in an even more strategic and operational manner, by making practical use of instruments that have already been adopted to support sustainable development. This would make it possible to highlight, within the European Semester framework, not only the reforms that are planned and promoted at national level to implement the SDGs, but also those relating to the local and regional dimension;












56.


recommends that European and international levels of government coordinate the complex system of world relations, by keeping regional outbreaks of tension in check and supporting the transformation and restructuring of institutional and productive assets inherited from the last century. Local bodies should be granted the necessary powers to be able to transform fragile geo-economic balances into development opportunities to revitalise the competitiveness of local production systems on the global market.





Brussels, 12 July 2017.


The President of the European Committee of the Regions

Markku MARKKULA




(1)  COR 5035/2016; COM(2016) 739 final.

(2)  COR 2203/2012.