PRESS RELEASE - Green Councillor secures agreement on local targets to address Climate Change

The ENVE Commission of the EU Committee of the Regions today passed an opinion on the Environmental Implementation Review recommending new policy areas be added on chemicals, industrial emissions and action on climate change. The Environmental Implementation Review (EIR) is a tool to improve implementation of EU environmental law and policy. It aims to address the causes of implementation gaps and try to find solutions before problems become urgent.

Councillor Andrew Cooper, Rapporteur on the Environmental Implementation Review for the EU Committee of the Regions said

“ I’m delighted that the Opinion was passed with no COR members opposing it on the final vote. I am particularly pleased that the concept of Locally Determined Contributions (LDCs) and Regionally Determined Contributions (RDCs) has been accepted by the ENVE Commission in this Opinion.”

The Opinion requested that  ‘the European Commission to work with relevant national authorities, the European Committee of the Regions, the EU Covenant of Mayors, the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy and ICLEI to develop the concept and methodologies for introducing Local and Regionally Determined Contributions, thereby contributing towards Climate Change targets agreed under the COP21 Paris Climate Agreement.’

LDCs and RDCs are a way of filling the emissions reduction gap that needs to be bridged if we are to achieve the targets set in Paris at COP21 of limiting global temperature rises to no more than 1.5% degrees above pre industrial levels. These LDCs and RDCs would form the basis of targets and delivery plans for Local and Regional Governments to lead on the reduction of emissions in their own areas.

“What is really exciting about the ENVE Commission passing this Opinion is that it could form the basis for a template for reporting local and regional action across the globe giving the opportunity for partnerships with organisations like the US Conference of Mayors who are opposing President Trump’s decision to pull out of the obligations of the COP21 Paris Climate Agreement” said Councillor Cooper

The Opinion, as passed at the ENVE Committee, now goes on to a meeting of the Plenary meeting in October where it will be considered by all members of the Committee of the Regions.