Time and time again, we have seen resounding calls from local governments demanding multi-level climate change action. From the Mannheim Message (2020) to COP26 (2021), local leaders have consistently called on higher governing levels to meaningfully bring local leaders to their decision-making tables. This January, ICLEI Europe was part of a meeting that did just that.
On Monday, 24 January 2022, the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy – Europe convened a meeting with local and European leaders to discuss the challenges that cities face in reaching climate neutrality, and how the European Commission can support their efforts.
An ambitious definition
There are several ways to define climate neutrality. This multi-level conversation used the definition laid out by the European Commission’s Climate Neutral and Smart Cities Mission in its so-called “info kit”. According to the Mission, climate neutrality necessitates achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by directly cutting emissions as much as possible. Any “residual” emissions that cannot be cut – due, for example, to technological constraints – can be offset.
This is an ambitious definition that is in line with the level of urgency posed by the climate crisis.
Cooperation across all governance levels
Mayor Martin W.W. Horn, ICLEI Europe President and Lord Mayor of ICLEI Member Freiburg (Germany) represented local concerns at the January meeting, in conversation with Executive Vice President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans, and Deputy Director-General of DG MOVE Matthew Baldwin.
During the meeting, Mayor Horn vocalised the huge potential role that local action can have to push for rapid and climate action – as long as there is adequate support from the European Commission. He expressed, “As a Mayor and President of ICLEI Europe I see how real and concrete change is made on the local level, but we need strong support on the EU level… We want to bring our local insights to you.” He went so far as to clearly suggest: “Let’s work closer together!”
ICLEI Europe Director Wolfgang Teubner supported Mayor Horn’s calls, explaining: “In order to take the necessary steps to accelerate the transformation towards climate neutrality, we need to streamline cooperation across all levels of governance, and we need full recognition of local governments in this process.”
Fortunately, Mayor Horn’s call was met positively by the European Commission. Both Mr. Baldwin and Mr. Timmermans proposed next steps to ensure better cooperation and conversation between local and European decision-makers on the road to climate neutrality.
Multi-level cooperation in practice
Mr. Baldwin brought the 100 Climate Neutral and Smart Cities Mission to the fore as a European tool to directly support cities to reach climate neutrality – and fast!
This Mission is set up to engage and support local leaders, in order to reach 100 climate-neutral cities in Europe by 2030. Local action will be structured around Climate City Contracts, to be signed and implemented by participating cities. Cities will be supported in this work with technical, regulatory and financial assistance from the European Commission, delivered via a Mission Platform.
The NetZeroCities project, in which ICLEI Europe is a partner, will provide support to the initial group of participating cities and is helping to develop and establish the Mission Platform, which will offer assistance from world-class experts to drastically cut cities’ greenhouse gas emissions. The platform will act as a hub, bringing together new and existing tools, resources and expertise to help cities overcome barriers they face hindering their abilities to reach climate neutrality by 2030.
Beyond the Cities Mission
Executive Vice President Timmermans assured local representatives that the European Commission is also committed to engagement with local leaders via the Covenant of Mayors.
The Covenant of Mayors – Europe Office is managed by a consortium of European networks and associations including ICLEI Europe. The Covenant is, at its core, a community of local and regional governments who voluntarily commit “to achieving and exceeding EU climate and energy targets.”
Mr. Timmermans stated unequivocally that the Commission will continue to support and liaise with the Covenant of Mayors – Europe. The Covenant agreed to keep the European Commission informed about what cities need to reach climate neutrality, and the European Commission committed to supporting them to the extent possible to achieve a bright European future.
A global platform for local governments
Exploring multi-level governance approaches and mechanisms to help cities reach climate neutrality is also among the key areas that will be addressed at ICLEI’s World Congress, taking place in ICLEI Member Malmö (Sweden) this May.
It was at the first World Congress in New York City in 1990 that ICLEI was founded. Since then, ICLEI’s global community has convened about once every three years to take a deep and critical look at the most relevant and pressing issues in urban sustainability. The ICLEI World Congress is a chance to connect local and regional governments with their peers and strategic partners, and provides a platform for discussions that inform, enhance and accelerate their work.
The Covenant of Mayors will be represented at the ICLEI World Congress as part of continued efforts, together with the European Commission, to support cities to reach climate neutrality.
For more information, visit https://worldcongress.iclei.org/.