EU’s new Climate Change Strategy criticised for leaving out local adaptations

EU’s new global warming strategy is lacking regional solutions, as indicated by the European Committee of the Regions

Today, 26 February 2021, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) issued a statement regarding the adoption of the EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change. CoR regretted to inform that it did not share the European Commission opinion on the new measures. The CoR considered that the new strategy lacks specific action measures suitable for urban and rural regions.

"The climate crisis has extreme consequences and we must act now, as this is already our new normal. It is a global emergency, for which we need local solutions. The new climate adaptation strategy can help local and regional authorities to prepare and adapt to these extreme conditions and to strengthen our climate resilience. We welcome the proposal of European Commission Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans and are grateful for his recognition of the importance of local climate action," said Juan Espadas (ES/PES), Mayor of Seville, and Chair of the CoR's ENVE commission and the Green Deal Going Local working group.

Two initiatives helping the European institutions

The two initiatives operate on a local level with the European authorities to promote climate adaptation goals. The Covenant of Mayors, a global climate and energy initiative, works with local and regional institutions to help develop new strategies and action plans. Urban Agenda, an EU initiative, supports the work between the Member States, cities and the European Commission to encourage progress and innovation in European cities.

The Committee is in favour of revising the proposal for better regulation guidelines and recognising the importance of local climate adaptation. In addition, the CoR supports local climate action as one of the priorities of the climate adaptation strategy.