Help build the EU’s Climate Pact

marzo 12, 2020

A broad consultation on the proposed Climate Pact has been launched by the European Commission. The Climate Pact is one of the strategic pillars of the proposed European Green Deal. If properly designed, this new instrument could be a game-changer in shaping new democratic, social and economic models for collective climate action in Europe.

“Preserving our climate and environment is a collective responsibility. We all have a duty to act and Europeans have shown their strong will to be part of the change. The European Climate Pact will bring together all of these efforts, involving regions, local communities, civil society, schools, industry and individuals.” – European Commission 2020 Work Programme.

At the moment, the aim is still very vague with the broad intention to
“give citizens and all parts of society a voice and role in designing new
actions, launching grassroots activities, sharing information and showcasing
solutions.”

It is clear that the Covenant of Mayors ‘will remain a central force’ as an integral
part of the Climate Pact.

The European Commission essentially aims to reconnect with disillusioned
citizens who are demanding more climate action through ambitious political
commitment, dialogue and concertation.

Crucially, there is space within the consultation to offer your ideas. City leaders need to use this opportunity to call for greater change. Here are some of our ideas on how to spur the change we need:

Engaging local energy alliances

The Covenant of Mayors’ purpose, methodology and monitoring should be
reviewed to create local alliances of stakeholders (businesses, schools, NGOs) jointly
committed to coordinated climate action and targets.

Going beyond energy and climate

Successfully addressing the climate crisis will require going beyond
mere energy and climate considerations, encouraging local authorities and their
communities to adopt broad-based societal
transition roadmaps.
These roadmaps will be underpinned by new
socio-economic models based on more participative and circular processes, short
circuit supply chains and redefined links between citizens and their local
environment. This will also require cities to completely overhaul their budget
and financial management practices and align them to the climate emergency.

Putting the emphasis on education

The magnitude of the reforms we need to collectively undertake to
reshape our cultural, social and economic systems are nothing short of a
civilization challenge. This is why the reformed Covenant of Mayors also needs
to include a new strong chapter on education putting carbon literacy at the
centre.

Adopting a corresponding EU support
programme

A specific EU budget line should aim at supporting this governance
engineering around climate action, by providing local and regional authorities
with the right resources to coordinate the process.

In addition, this support programme should enable peer-to-peer exchange
between the various local authorities on the development of new collaborative
practices and socio-economic models around the transition, turning the Covenant
of Mayors into a mutual-learning lab.

The post Help build the EU’s Climate Pact appeared first on Energy Cities.


Fuente: ENERGY CITIES
Enlace a la noticia: Help build the EU’s Climate Pact

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