To foster liveable, happy and inclusive urban communities, cities need to embark on just transitions that holistically address social, economic and environmental challenges and needs.

ICLEI Europe welcomes the EU’s increasing efforts to cultivate just transitions in cities, and has released a statement underscoring concrete actions that the EU can take to ensure that existing patterns of inequality and exclusion are not exacerbated – but in fact reversed.

By addressing environmental and social issues holistically, rather than in isolation, equitably distributing the costs and benefits of ambitious sustainability action, and providing for the wellbeing of all inhabitants within the planet’s boundaries, the EU can spearhead just transitions. However, to be effective, this work must be done in close collaboration with local actors. The EU must provide adequate support to enable local level actors, who are closest to their communities, to lead the charge.

ICLEI Europe is committed to driving just transitions across Europe, both within and beyond cities.

This includes working to bolster existing (European) legislation locally – such as the EU Green Deal and the EU Pillar of Social Rights – guided by the principles outlined in the Basque Declaration and Mannheim Message for productive, sustainable and resilient cities. ICLEI’s dedication to creating urban areas that are resilient and inclusive is also reflected in its social justice and equity work.

To foster just transitions and achieve an equitable, inclusive urban Europe, ICLEI calls on the EU in its leadership role to:

• Support and fund Local Green Deals;
• Integrate the EU Pillar of Social Rights and the EU Green Deal, while placing cities at the forefront of this process; and to
• Expand its definition of just transition from a focus on carbon intensity to a broader vision of an inclusive, equitable and sustainable society.

Ana Oregi, Deputy Mayor of ICLEI Member Vitoria-Gasteiz (Spain) and ICLEI European Regional Executive Member, underscores the pivotal role that local governments have to play in these transitions: “Local and regional governments, which are responsible for implementing 70% of EU legislation, must be at the forefront of implementing a just transition in Europe. This is reflected in the Mannheim Message, which calls for systemic changes to bring about a resilient, inclusive and sustainable Europe, and the Basque Declaration which provides towns and cities with the tools needed to bring about these changes.”

Meanwhile, the Vice Mayor of ICLEI Member Antwerp (Belgium) and ICLEI European Regional Executive Member, Tom Meeuws emphasises the importance of inclusion and inspiration: “For sustainable urban development initiatives to be a success, no one can be left behind. Cities have a key role to play in creating a more just and sustainable future. By sharing best practices, resources and knowledge, they can inspire local change to achieve this ambition.”

Only by securing the full support of all societal actors across all levels of governance – especially the EU – can effective just transitions be realised as Wolfgang Teubner, Regional Director of ICLEI Europe, acknowledges: “A carbon-neutral and sustainable urban future requires cooperation and collaboration from citizens, local administrations, national bodies, and supranational entities alike. The EU must offer local governments support for a just transition; without it we cannot realise an equitable and inclusive future for our cities.”

Read the entire ICLEI Europe statement on fostering just transitions here.