·
Members
of the ENVI committee, Let me first thank you for giving me the opportunity to
present the Committee of the Regions opinion.
We
welcome the ENVI draft motion for resolution on COP 24 as well as the adopted report
on the role of EU regions and cities in implementing the Paris Agreement as
they highlight the key role of local and regional authorities in the fight
against climate change
·
Local and regional authorities are responsible
for the implementation of 70% of climate change reduction measures and up to
90% of climate change adaptation measures. When national governments struggle
to deliver, cities and regions take the lead.
· Since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, we
have seen a rising status for local and regional governments. This was evident
last year in Bonn with the launch of the Talanoa Dialogue and the Bonn Fiji
commitment of Local and Regional leaders' from around the world. It's
now time this form of multilevel governance is acknowledged and the role of LRAs
formalised in global climate governance.
· Nationally Determined Contributions fall short
in reaching Paris Agreement goals, of limiting global temperature increases to
well below 2 degrees, let alone 1,5 degrees. In
order to bridge the emissions gap, we need a system of locally and regionally
determined contributions (LDCs) that would complement "Nationally
Determined Contributions.
·
A wealth of action to mitigate climate change
happens at the local level and we know that action that is not measured is not
acknowledged nor encouraged or valued. Yet, these local actions can be the most
important actions of all. Making the difference between success and failure. That's
why we call for the transparency framework to include, in national inventory reports
a dedicated section on mitigation actions undertaken at subnational levels of
government as a way to help track the progress towards achieving NDCs.
· The Talanoa dialogue is of great importance for
local and regional authorities as it allows them to make their ambitions,
positions and intentions heard. It is also of vital importance to the UNFCCC
and national Governments as the feedback we provide from the coalface of action
on climate change will help them shape future policy initiatives. A dialogue
is not a monologue. We need genuine 2 way communications. Yes we need to be
heard but we also need to be responded to as well. We
need to integrate the outcomes of the Talanoa Dialogue into the COP negotiating
text. And it must also continue beyond COP24.
Members,
Cooperation
and inclusivity are part of the solution to address climate challenges. It is
essential that the EU and its Member States engage directly with democratically
elected regions and other non-party stakeholders, civil society and the private
sector. And it
is crucial that we speak with a strong single voice at COP24. As elected members at the closest level to the
citizens we are ready to partner with you and contribute to make the world a
better place.
As a UK member of the Committee of the Regions
I am clear that Brexit or (I still hope) no Brexit we should continue to work
together to achieve the carbon reductions we need and to be frank this may help
the UK Government to not slip further behind in our actions. If the UK is in a
League of its own it will have no meaningful way of comparing its progress. Together
with you we have a much better chance.
Thank
you for your attention
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