​The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) has put forward a Green Deal roadmap for 2021. At the 4th meeting of the Green Deal Going Local working group, local leaders agreed on the political objectives and priorities to accelerate the carbon-neutral transition while placing cities and regions at the heart of the COVID-19 recovery. Fostering active subsidiarity, reinforcing institutional cooperation and facilitating direct access to EU funds are key goals. The renovation of buildings, greening urban areas and decarbonising transport stand as focus areas. The meeting included discussions on the Intelligent Cities Challenge and the Just transition Mechanism. Both have prominent places in delivering the Green Deal agenda.

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 renovation of the EU's building stock is key to reach climate neutrality by 2050 and to boost employment in the post COVID-19 recovery. While 75% of existing buildings in the EU are considered energy inefficient, only 1% currently undergoes renovation each year. Buildings account for 40% of Europe's energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). It is estimated that the Renovation Wave can create an additional 160 000 jobs in the construction sector by 2030. The COVID-19 health crisis has amplified the need to improve our buildings and to eradicate energy poverty, which still affects some 40 million citizens in the EU.

The role of cities and regions in the COVID-19 recovery and the need to make it a key driver to accelerate the green transition have been the focus of a debate with Kadri Simson, EU Commissioner for energy. Members of the Commission for the Environment, Climate Change and Energy of the European Committee of the Regions reiterated the need to involve local and regional authorities in the definition and implementation of priority investments, including the Next Generation EU fund and the EU's Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The Renovation Wave for buildings, biodiversity, circular economy, and climate adaptation were also on the agenda.