From today on, the European Commission formally invites mayors in the European Union to join the Green City Accord, and to commit to higher ambition to make their cities cleaner, healthier and more resource-efficient by 2030.

The Green City Accord, a new environmental initiative to improve air and water quality, conserve and enhance nature and biodiversity, advance the circular economy, and reduce noise in cities was launched today by the European Commission during a high-level event at the European Week of Regions and Cities.

Mayors and other local political leaders representing ICLEI Members Florence (Italy), Lille (France) and Freiburg (Germany), as well as the cities of Seville (Spain) and Porto (Portugal), expressed their strong support for the Green City Accord. Other keynote speakers were Joanna Drake, Deputy Director-General and Claudia Fusco, Head of Unit both from the European Commission’s Environment Directorate-General. Anna Lisa Boni, Secretary General of EUROCITIES moderated the session.

In addition to committing to higher ambitions, stepping up local action through the Green City Accord will also help accelerate the implementation of the EU’s environment legislation and support attaining the environmental ambitions of the European Green Deal. In turn, the European Commission will support cities by providing networking and funding opportunities and by facilitating closer communication between EU and local policy-makers.

Joanna Drake, Deputy Director-General, Directorate-General for Environment, European Commission, said during the launch, “Local governments are essential partners in achieving sustainable urban development and key players in addressing pollution, in managing waste sustainably and in supporting the transition to a Circular Economy." 

From the local perspective, Juan Espadas Cejas, Mayor of Seville and Chair of the Commission for the Environment, Climate change and Energy of the European Committee of the Regions remarked that "(Local governments) need to manage more resources, we need to do this in a more direct, effective and flexible way. We need to make our own decisions, alongside our governments and the European Union. That's why the Green City Accord is an important opportunity to have a more integrated approach. We can build stronger synergies between different areas.”

Similarly, Dario Nardella, Mayor of Florence said that “EU legislation sets a high standard for protecting the environment – rightly so”, and invited his peers to take action, by saying: "as city leaders we can do a lot locally to pursue ambitious green policies. The EU cannot achieve its ambitious goals without mayors and cities.”

The Green City Accord

The Green City Accord is a movement of European cities committed to safeguarding the environment. In signing the Green City Accord, city leaders agree to take further action to protect the natural environment and to achieve ambitious goals by 2030.

EUROCITIES, ICLEI Europe and CEMR are supporting the European Commission in developing and implementing the Accord.

To learn more about the Green City Accord, please visit www.greencityaccord.eu or contact: contact@greencityaccord.eu.