Local and regional authorities are key actors when it comes to bringing Europe closer to its energy and climate objectives. Energy production at the local level is crucial to foster renewable energy production, spread energy democracy and decrease energy poverty rates. Today, around 50 million households in Europe are struggling to warmth adequately (EPOV). Around €180 billion of additional investments are needed annually to achieve the EU's 2030 targets agreed in Paris, including a 40% cut in greenhouse gas emissions (from 1990 levels).

On 6 December from 11am Michel Barnier, the European Union's Chief Negotiator for the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the Union, will discuss Brexit and its impact on regions and cities with local leaders from all the EU's member states. His visit to the European Committee of the Regions in Brussels comes on the eve of UK parliaments crucial vote on the agreed Withdrawal Agreement

The president of the provincial parliament of Burgenland Christian Illedits (AT/PES) hosted an ENVE seminar last Thursday 8 November in the Austrian city of Pinkafeld. Under three key words – Energy, Education and Sustainability, Burgenland's meeting was the occasion to show how a regional energy model can autonomously supply 100% of its electricity demand from renewable energy sources. The CoR is preparing the adoption of an opinion on local energy communities next plenary session 5-6 December 2018.

​The Commission for Environment, Energy and Climate Change (ENVE) of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is back to business with key dossiers on the table. Amongst them, the role of energy communities in Europe's energy transition, the future of the LIFE programme, the requirements for water reuse, the high-potential of the EU's space programme and the controversial single-use plastics.