Europe can only meet its climate goals by collaborating with cities. In partnership, we can boost resilience and make climate action benefits a reality, including green job creation, economic growth, and enhanced competitiveness.
Today in Paris, C40 Cities united Europe’s mayors to launch policy demands for the new European Union (EU) political mandate. This follows Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s release of the next European Commission political guidelines, outlining the EU’s future priorities. While mayors welcome this direction, they stress the need for a just transition and greater inclusion of cities and their residents in the process.
Von der Leyen has pledged an EU that is faster, simpler, more focused, and more united, which will better support the needs of people and businesses. Given that 70% of Europeans live in urban areas, city collaboration is key to achieving these goals.
Mayors from Athens, Copenhagen, Istanbul, Oslo, and Warsaw, along with the Deputy Mayor of Paris, discussed C40’s policy demands with Maroš Šefčovič, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for the European Green Deal. Their demands call for continuous, direct dialogue between cities and the European Commission to achieve a climate-neutral, fair Europe that addresses residents’ needs and concerns.
During a meeting with C40 mayors, Maroš Šefčovič invited cities to continue the dialogue; he encouraged mayors to suggest ways to simplify access to EU funds, streamline city initiatives, and establish criteria to enhance public procurement and boost EU business competitiveness.
Mayors know that a strengthened European Green Deal can tackle environmental challenges while promoting social equity and economic security. The latest C40 data on green jobs shows that enhancing the European Green Deal can create jobs, helping boost competitiveness and address the rising cost of living.
C40’s key policy demands for the European Union are to:
- Recognise cities as crucial delivery partners and support multilevel partnerships
- Secure direct access to funding for all cities and further mobilise private investments
- Put fairness and justice at the centre of climate action
The policy demands also include technical policy asks covering key sectors like energy and buildings, transport and mobility, food systems, and health, adaptation and resilience.
Júlia López Ventura, C40’s Regional Director for Europe, said: “The European Environment Agency warns Europe is getting hotter twice as fast as the rest of the world. It’s clear that EU political leaders cannot lose sight of the urgent need to strengthen climate action.
“To create a climate-neutral and resilient Europe, we urgently need a just transition that is fair and inclusive. Such action can generate quality, sustainable jobs and benefit all residents equitably while enhancing Europe’s competitiveness and security ambitions. Multilevel governance and collaboration with European mayors is essential in this effort.”
The policy demands follow a letter sent by mayors to Ursula von der Leyen ahead of her announcement of political guidelines for the European Commission. On behalf of C40’s Europe mayors, the C40 Vice Chairs – mayors of Copenhagen, Milan, Oslo, and Paris – stressed that decisive climate action will save lives, improve economic and social conditions, create green jobs, and reduce the cost of living.
C40 and Europe’s mayors call on the EU to unlock the potential of urban climate action to create a resilient, thriving Europe and improve quality of life for all.