On 21 April, mayors and local leaders from across the EU joined the launch event of the new
Covenant of Mayors. In an online ceremony, the
Political Board presented the Covenant's vision 'for a fairer, climate-neutral Europe', the new pledge for cities and regions aiming to step up climate ambitions. New signatories will commit to reducing their 2030 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least as much as their respective national target and to being consistent with the EU's objective to cut 55% of GHG emissions by 2030 in addition to reaching climate-neutrality by 2050.
Kadri Simson , European Commissioner for Energy, invited all local representatives to sign-up for the new Covenant and said:
"The Covenant of Mayors has been the leading reference point for local energy and climate action for thirteen years. The past year has been difficult for all of us. We all have dealt with the emergency of the pandemic but at the same time, we have never stopped preparing for a cleaner, greener and better future. The EU has committed to be the world's first climate neutral region no later than 2050 and we also pledged to reduce our emissions by at least 55% by 2030. Now the time has come to open a new chapter for the Covenant of Mayors. Let us join forces and take a step forward towards the Green Deal. A climate neutral, resilient and fair Europe, where cities are healthy places for citizens to live and for local businesses to thrive. Let's make the Covenant a place where all EU cities can challenge themselves and display their excellence."
The event served as the occasion to launch the
Chamber of National Ambassadors of the Covenant of Mayors.
Apostolos Tzitzikostas , president of the European Committee of the Regions, stressed:
"
Today the EU made a step forward, legally committing to climate neutrality by 2050. This will only be achieved by working with our citizens and in our communities. Otherwise it will not happen at all. The EU needs its one million local and regional politicians if the Green Deal is to succeed. By renewing its commitments and launching the network of
National Ambassadors of the Covenant of Mayors
, regions, cities and villages are raising the climate bar higher to meet people's demands and protect our planet
."
The primary goal of the National Ambassadors of the Covenant of Mayors is to endorse and reinforce the initiative in every Member State, to take part in country-specific activities and to reinforce links and cooperation with Members of the European Parliament and National Governments. The Chamber of National Ambassadors also aims to establish contact with cities and municipalities that could benefit from technical support and financial guidance and become active agents in delivering climate action.
Juan Espadas (ES/PES), mayor of Seville and Chair of the CoR's
ENVE Commission and
Green Deal Going Local working group, stated:
"The Covenant of Mayors is one of the greatest successes of cooperation among local governments for climate action. As Mayor, but also as chair of the European Committee of the Regions' Environment Commission, I am proud of joining the Chamber of
National Ambassadors of the Covenant of Mayors,
launched with the support of the European Commission. As the world celebrates Earth Day tomorrow, cities and regions have a strong message to share: we are committed to lead the transition to a sustainable Europe to protect our future and leave no one behind."
Rafał Trzaskowski (PL/EPP), Mayor of Warsaw and CoR representative at the
Covenant's Political Board , said:
"Local and regional authorities in the CoR are fully committed to deliver a green transition and a post-COVID19 green recovery. Initiatives such as the Covenant of Mayors are crucial to build a climate neutral Europe from the bottom up and bring tangible results for every citizen. We will keep promoting the Covenant, advocating a multi-level governance, calling for direct EU funds, cooperating with other mayors and regional presidents as well as with businesses and universities, searching for innovative solutions, exchanging best practices and expanding the network. As members of the CoR, our Ambassadors will add value to the Covenant of Mayors with their political experience. You can count on the CoR as a reliable and committed partner in this venture."
The 27 CoR members (one per Member State), that constitute the
Chamber of National Ambassadors of the Covenant of Mayors , are:
-
Matthias Stadler (AT/PES), Mayor of St. Pölten
-
Andries Gryffroy (BE/EA), Member of the Flemish Parliament
-
Tanya Hristova (BG/EPP), Mayor of Gabrovo
-
Nikola Dobroslavić (HR/EPP), President of Dubrovnik-Nereteva Region
-
Stavros Stavrinides (CY/PES), Member of Strovolos Municipality
-
Zdeněk Hřib (CZ/The Greens), Mayor of Prague
-
Kirstine Bille (DK/The Greens), Deputy-Mayor of Syddjurs
-
Andres Jaadla (EE/Renew Europe), Deputy-Mayor of Rakvere
- Apostolos Tzitzikostas (EL/EPP), Governor of Central Macedonia Region
-
Markku Markkula (FI/EPP), Chair of the Espoo City Board and President of the Helsinki Region
-
Christophe Rouillon (FR/PES), Mayor of Coulaines
-
Henrike Müller (DE/The Greens), Member of Bremen City Parliament
-
Kata Tüttő (HU/PES), Deputy-Mayor of Budapest
-
Kieran McCarthy (IE/EA), Member of the Cork City Council
-
Roberto Ciambetti (IT/ECR), President of Veneto Regional Council
-
Gunārs Ansiņš (LV/Renew Europe), Vice-Mayor of Liepāja
-
Mindaugas Sinkevičius (LT/PES), Mayor of Jonava District Municipality
-
Roby Biwer (LU/PES), Member of Bettembourg Municipal Council
-
Graziella Galea (MT/EPP), Member of St. Pawl il-Baħar Local Council
-
Robert Van Asten (NL/Renew Europe), Alderman of The Hague Municipality
-
Hanna Zdanowska (PL/EPP), Mayor of Łódź
-
Ricardo Rio (PT/EPP), Mayor of Braga
-
Emil Boc (RO/EPP), Mayor of Cluj-Napoca Municipality
- Gregor Macedoni (SI/EPP), Mayor of Novo Mesto
-
Juraj Droba (SK/ECR), Chairman of Bratislava Self-Governing Region
-
Juan Espadas Cejas (ES/PES), Mayor of Sevilla
-
Anders Knape (SE/EPP), Lord Mayor of City of Karlstad
Background:
The European Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy was launched in 2008
by the European Commission with the aim of engaging and supporting mayors
in reaching the 2020 energy and climate targets (20% cut in greenhouse gas
emissions compared to 1990 levels, 20% of energy from renewables and 20%
energy efficiency). With its new vision, the Covenant of Mayors aligns
itself with the EU's objective to cut 55% of GHG emissions by 2030 and
become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. To join the Covenant
please visit www.eumayors.eu.
The list of National Ambassadors of the Covenant of Mayors is
downloadable here
.
Please visit our
web portal
for more information
Discover what Green Deal Going Local is all about
here.
Contact:
Floriane
Cappelletti //
floriane.cappelletti@eumayors.eu
David Crous //
david.crous@cor.europa.eu