C 61/6
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
4.2.2022
8. stresses that the ambition of the European Green Deal to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 applies internally by integrating sustainability criteria into all EU policies while setting the pace at global level; underlines that the European Green Deal and Local and Regional Green Deal initiatives should be instruments for achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement, fully implementing the UN 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, and making an ambitious EU contribution to the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, which will be decided on by the UN CBD COP15 (2).
At the same time as achieving climate neutrality, the European Green Deal should be economically viable and not put heavy burdens and costs on consumers and businesses
9. strongly believes that the UNFCCC COP26 is an opportunity to look ahead and prepare the ground for an ambitious global 2050 agenda, complementing the approach of the SDGs with the Paris Agreement.
Since the European Green Deal already considers the systemic links with many relevant policy areas, if properly implemented, it might inspire and motivate a Global Green Deal;
10. calls on the UNFCCC Parties to insert in the rules on the global stock take, an obligation for the Parties to consult and involve local and regional authorities during the drafting phase of their submission; in particular calls on the Parties to involve the sub-national level in the revision of their NDCs ahead of the COP meetings by setting up a system of national dialogue;
11.
stresses the importance of the EU leading the global talks with its ambitious and inclusive climate policy, therefore recognises the European Climate Law as an undeniable signal and commitment that places the European Union at the forefront of climate action; In this regard, also urges for climate ambitions to not further alienate citizens by hitting hard on their household budgets — many of which are highly impacted by the COVID pandemic.
Citizens and small businesses should not have to foot the bill of ambitious policy packages;
12. highlights in this regard that many European regions had declared a climate emergency before the announcement of the climate emergency by the European Parliament, and have already introduced their own ambitious climate laws; therefore, believes that their expertise should be more prominently present in global climate diplomacy;
13. calls for faster adaptation and implementation of the EU Missions on ‘Adaptation to Climate Change’ and ‘Climate-Neutral Cities’ and other relevant missions like soil, health and oceans, once they are endorsed; calls on the LRAs to prepare their own climate adaptation and mitigation strategies to increase protection and resilience of local communities and natural habitats (3);
14. while fully supporting the ambition of the EU climate framework, calls for concrete action to underpin these goals, ensuring that no region or citizen is left behind.
Particular attention and increased dedicated support is required in the case of coal regions, carbon intensive regions, less developed regions and islands;
15.
welcomes the launch of the Conference on the Future of Europe and calls for the European Green Deal to be a central topic as climate change, just transition and sustainable development have a direct impact on the economy, public health and the wellbeing of EU citizens; considers that, in this framework, the European Climate Pact can play a crucial role and become a best practice to be replicated worldwide;
16. stands ready to co-organise with the European Commission, European Parliament and other relevant organisations a series of Citizens Dialogues and a thematic day on local Climate Action to present the added value of the European Green Deal, as well as to showcase different local initiatives.
At the same time, restates its call to CoR members to lead by example and promote local and regional COPs;
17. calls on all Parties to the UNFCCC, in cooperation with subnational governments and non-state actors, to contribute constructively to the process leading up to COP26 by.
among other things, promoting local consultative bodies, citizens’ conventions, local and regional COPs, as well as semi-formal institutions, such as local and regional youth councils and parliaments;
(2) (3)
15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
COR-2021-01903, CoR opinion on Forging a climate-resilient Europe — the new EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change.