A policy framework for climate and energy in the period from 2020 to 2030

ENVE-V/047
Adopted

A policy framework for climate and energy in the period from 2020 to 2030

 Adoption: 07/10/2014
 Theme: Environment and climate change
Commission: Commission for the Environment, Climate Change and Energy (ENVE-V)
calls on the EU to opt for a winning trio of binding climate and energy goals for 2030: a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared with 1990; a 40% share of renewable energies, expressed as national targets; a 40% reduction in primary energy consumption compared with 2005 achieved through efficiency gains, also expressed as national targets. underlines the fundamental role of the local and regional levels in drafting and implementing policies on climate change, developing renewables and energy efficiency, but also stresses that their initiatives cannot be optimised without recognition in the form of a mandate and long-term funding; emphasises the need for the 2030 policy framework to be based on, and to strengthen, the impact of EU local initiatives such as the EU Covenant of Mayors (which we would like to see extended until 2030), Mayors Adapt and other EU funded projects; calls in this context on the European Commission to ensure policy coherence and synergies between the different initiatives and to involve the CoR in the design and implementation as appropriate; calls on local and regional authorities to rise even further to the climate challenge by setting their own ambitious targets for 2030 and taking forward initiatives together to prepare for the COP21 in December 2015 in Paris; this would closely reflect the COP19 decisions taken in Warsaw in November 2013 as regards recognition for local and regional authorities until a global agreement is reached. (potentially) launch a call for LRA mobilisation for COP21.
The European Commission did not support the view of the Opinion concerning the 3 binding targets and the recognition of the role of regions and cities within the 2030 Framework. However, both the European Commission and the Cabinet of the President of the European Council welcomed the ambitious stance of the Opinion as an enabling tool to negotiate with resisting Member states for a decision on the 2030 framework. The Opinion was welcomed by civil society organisations as well as regional and local NGOs. It formulated their position in an official document. This Opinion was all the more welcome as the European Parliament did not issue a report yet, and will probably not do it. As a consequence, the media focuses on the content of the Opinion with, among others, an article from Le Monde following its adoption in Plenary session, and articles in the Reppublica and the Guardian, following the participation of the rapporteur at the UNFCCC COP in Lima, Peru (December 2014). The UNFCCC COP in Lima also gave the rapporteur the opportunity to meet the European Commission negotiators and the European Parliament delegation to further discuss several points of the Opinion, notably a higher level of ambition for mitigation and the role of local and regional authorities within the governance architecture. The European Commission does support the vision of the CoR for UNFCCC COPs, however further work remains to be done as when the negotiations become tense, negotiators in favour of our positions weaken their support and finally mentions of regions and cities are watered down. However, the Opinion of the CoR attracted the interest of many stakeholders with which the CoR will join forces in international events and co-organise initiatives and conferences to improve the visibility of regions and cities on climate. This includes cooperation with leading local and regional networks such as ICLEI, nrg4SD, R20 and French local and regional organisations in view of the UNFCCC COP21 in Paris this year.
THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS - calls on the EU to opt for a winning trio of binding climate and energy goals for 2030: • a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared with 1990; • a 40% share of renewable energies, expressed as national targets; • a 40% reduction in primary energy consumption compared with 2005 achieved through efficiency gains, also expressed as national targets. - underlines the fundamental role of the local and regional levels in drafting and implementing policies on climate change, developing renewables and energy efficiency, but also stresses that their initiatives cannot be optimised without recognition in the form of a mandate and long-term funding; - emphasises the need for the 2030 policy framework to be based on, and to strengthen, the impact of EU local initiatives such as the EU Covenant of Mayors (which we would like to see extended until 2030), Mayors Adapt and other EU funded projects; calls in this context on the European Commission to ensure policy coherence and synergies between the different initiatives and to involve the CoR in the design and implementation as appropriate; - calls on local and regional authorities to rise even further to the climate challenge by setting their own ambitious targets for 2030 and taking forward initiatives together to prepare for the COP21 in December 2015 in Paris; this would closely reflect the COP19 decisions taken in Warsaw in November 2013 as regards recognition for local and regional authorities until a global agreement is reached.
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