ARTICLE
This article makes clear why local authorities are the only “tool” for the acceleration of the EU just transition to a climate neutral, resource-efficient, clean and circular economy without any exclusions.
In December 2019, the European Environment Agency published 'The European environment — state and outlook 2020' with disappointing results. It pointed out the unprecedented challenges regarding the environment, climate and sustainability, highlighting the need for urgent and coordinated action. A few days later, responding to the call for immediate management of the environmental challenges, the European Commission adopted the European Green Deal.
It is a new growth strategy that aims to transform the EU into a fair and prosperous society with a modern, competitive and resource-efficient economy where there are no net emissions of greenhouse gases in 2050 and where economic growth is decoupled from resource use. It also aims to protect, conserve and enhance the EU's natural capital and protect the health and well-being of citizens from environment-related risks and impacts. At the same time, it highlights the need for a just transition that leaves no one behind. It is worth mentioning that this new Green Deal is an integral part of the European Commission’s strategy to implement the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations.
From the very first lines of the Green Deal agenda, the leading role of the Local Authorities emerges regarding the acceleration and support of the transition in all environmental sectors and the creation of a stable path for sustainable development, without exclusions. Local Authorities and citizens are called to join forces and build a new growth model that will focus on protecting the environment and maximising the health benefits and daily life quality.
Regarding the 9 interrelated policy sectors of the European Green Deal,
• BIODIVERSITY,
• SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE,
• “FROM FARM TO FORK” STRATEGY,
• CLEAN ENERGY,
• SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRY,
• BUILDING AND RENOVATING,
• SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY,
• ELIMINATING POLLUTION and
• CLIMATE ACTION,
the Local Authorities of the First Degree can and must, not only actively participate, but lead the effort to achieve the individual goals set in each of the aforementioned policy areas. The EU and Greek Municipalities:
1. are the level of the administration closest to citizens and can ensure the maximum results of the cooperation with them,
2. can ensure a better connection between the various environmental policies for “green” recovery,
3. cover all types of areas (urban, coastal, mountainous, etc.) knowing better than anyone the particular dynamics and critical local environmental characteristics and
4. already have significant and valuable experience on environmental policies that have common features with the 9 European Green Deal policies, such as improvement of energy efficiency, utilisation of renewable energy resources, sustainable mobility, circular economy, protection of biodiversity and forests, blue economy etc.
At this point, it is worth mentioning the key role of the Municipalities in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, gaining an important experience in the field of Health. The effects of the pandemic and its connection with the degradation of the environment is already highlighted in Commission’s 8th Environment Action Programme (8th EAP).
Thus, in most of European Green Deal policy areas, the Local Authorities of the First Degree can, as mentioned above, lead and ensure the set targets of climate neutrality, conservation and enhancement of natural capital, citizens’ wellbeing and improvement of quality of life. Green Deal already refers to a wide range of actions that are inextricably linked to Local Authorities or to other actions of the 9 policy areas for which Local Authorities must play a leading role, including the following:
1. The “renovation” of buildings and the improvement of their energy efficiency.
2. The design of platforms with the participation of Local Authorities, for monitoring the improvement of building energy efficiency and giving solutions to relevant problems.
3. The establishment of smart systems promoting smart mobility.
4. The promotion of sustainable transport systems.
5. The promotion of multimodal mobility.
6. The reduction of the environmental footprint of urban transport.
7. The cooperation and implementation of actions with special groups, such as farmers and fishermen, for the application of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) to jointly tackle climate change, protect the environment and conserve biodiversity.
8. The implementation of information and awareness-raising actions for chemical reduction and promotion of safe, nutritious and high-quality food products.
9. The implementation of actions for the preservation and restoration of ecosystems, ecosystem services and biodiversity.
10. The active participation in the promotion of the sustainable “blue” economy.
11. The green budgeting for projects and actions and the integration of the effect on climate.
12. The participation in European programmes that promote research and innovation.
13. The reskilling and upskilling initiatives to facilitate the environmental transition.
14. The implementation of local initiatives to tackle climate change.
15. The empowerment of energy communities.
16. The promotion of renewable energy sources and their application in all energy-intensive sectors of the Local Authorities.
17. The design of a platform allowing the exchange of good practices on how to implement the aforementioned actions at a local level.
18. The restoration of local degraded areas.
19. The compatibility of building design with the principles of the circular economy.
20. The promotion of a circular economy and the management of the produced solid and liquid waste in a sustainable way.
21. The increased digitisation.
Based on the above, it is evident that the Local Authorities of the First Degree are the only “tool” for the acceleration of the EU just transition to a climate neutral, resource-efficient, clean and circular economy without any exclusions. The forthcoming 8th Environment Action Programme with its long-term vision and environmental priority, the Recovery Plan promoting the investments in key green sectors and the Recovery and Resilience Facility which will power the EU economic recovery for 2021-2027 will all assist in achieving the Green Deal targets.