On 26 February, the European Committee of the Regions' (CoR) commission for territorial cohesion policy and EU budget (COTER) met for the first time this year. During the meeting, the members discussed how Europe's regional airports and a sustainable mobility strategy in the transportation sector can help achieve the European Green Deal objectives and greater connectivity between and within European cities. Members also discussed the experiences and lessons learned during the COVID-19 crisis.

The ENVE Commission of the European Committee of the Regions has presented its 2021 work programme today. Local and regional leaders' top priority is to ensure that the COVID-19 recovery translates into concrete projects that accelerate the transition towards climate-neutrality while creating jobs and social inclusiveness in every territory. Climate ambition, refurbishing the EU's building stock, biodiversity and the 8th Environment Action Programme were amongst the topics discussed in a meeting that welcomed Florika Fink-Hooijer , the new Director-General of the European Commission's DG Environment. Members exchanged their experiences and lessons learned during COVID-19. The CoR holds a plenary session on 3-5 February 2021.

The European Committee of the Regions' Commission for Natural Resources (NAT) met on 29 January, for the first time in 2021, to discuss about health and the experiences and lessons learned by regions and cities during the COVID-19 crisis. At the meeting, members also adopted an opinion on the Atlantic maritime strategy.

The European Committee of the Regions has given its preliminary backing to a set of recommendations aimed at ensuring that the European Union embraces agro-ecological principles and techniques in its efforts to reduce agriculture's contribution to climate change, secure the EU's food supplies, and support rural communities.