December 16, 2020

The following is a press release:

European Committee of the Regions members are invited to join the new EU climate network as CoR Climate Pact Ambassadors

The European Commission has officially launched the Climate Pact, an EU-wide initiative inviting individuals, communities and organisations to get involved in climate action and build a greener Europe. As the EU's assembly of cities and regions, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is committed to actively contributing to the Climate Pact, starting by promoting its objectives and fostering participation, in particular from local and regional authorities across the EU. The Climate Pact is a participatory platform in support of the European Green Deal, the new EU's growth strategy to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

The Climate Pact was launched today under the captaincy of Frans Timmermans, European Commission Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal. Opening the session, Mr Timmermans said: "We thankfully have a vaccine coming up that will help us overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. But for the climate and biodiversity crises, there is no vaccine. The European Climate Pact will bring together everyone who wants to take action for our planet. With the Pact, we want to help everyone in Europe take action in their everyday lives, and give everyone the opportunity to get involved in the green transition and inspire each other. When it comes to tackling climate change, anyone can take action, and everyone can contribute".

The Climate Pact will provide a space for people from all walks of life to connect and collectively develop and implement climate solutions, be they big or small. Its two main aims are to raise and spread awareness and support climate action across the EU.

The mayor of Warsaw, Rafal Trzaskowski (PL/EPP), rapporteur of the CoR opinion on the Climate Pact, spoke at the official launch event saying: "To achieve climate neutrality, cities need to be at the centre of climate action. Not only as cities are heavy energy consumers and are responsible for 70 to 80% of world emissions, but because it is at the city level that citizens' are engaging in climate action. We feel responsible for these emissions and want to take lead in the climate action. The Climate Pact is the opportunity to create a European-wide movement that supports, encourages and acknowledges individual climate achievements. Along with pan-European projects that accelerate climate action locally, we need citizens to join the path to climate neutrality. We cannot make the Green Deal happen without citizens and the local level."

Some of the concrete ways to take part in the Climate Pact are:

• Become a Climate Pact Ambassador (open to every individual)

• Take climate-friendly action and make a pledge (individuals or collectives)

• Register a satellite event (individuals or organisations willing to share experience and knowledge)

To support the network of Climate Pact Ambassadors, the CoR has launched a call to its members to become CoR Climate Pact Ambassadors. They will actively promote the various aspects of the Green Deal in their own regions and municipalities through political activities and best practices and provide periodical feedback on the effectiveness of EU policies on the ground. The CoR Climate Pact Ambassadors will be part of the broader network launched by the European Commission. Through the CoR 4 Climate Pact project, the CoR will also support CoR Climate Pact Ambassadors in holding local climate events aimed at helping to raise awareness and accelerate climate action locally.

The Mayor of Warsaw Rafal Trzaskowski (PL/EPP) is one of the first CoR Climate Pact Ambassadors.

The starting phase of the Climate Pact will prioritise actions on "Green areas", "Green transport", "Green buildings" and "Green skills". The Climate Pact is to expand over time to other areas, such as sustainable consumption and production, the quality of soils, healthy food and sustainable diets, oceans, and rural and coastal areas. The Climate Pact has an open mandate and its scope will evolve based on the ideas and contributions of the people and organisations that become part of it.

The European Commission released its communication on The Climate Pact on 9 December 2020.

Background information

• For CoR members and alternates willing to become a CoR Ambassador for the Climate Pact, please click here (deadline 31 January 2021)

• Visit the website of the Climate Pact here.

• Access the new Climate Pact portal of the CoR here and our Green Deal Going Local (GDGL) portal here.

• Discover here the CoR's online map with 200 best practices that demonstrate how cities and regions are already delivering the Green Deal locally.

• You can read here our latest interview with mayor of Warsaw Rafal Trzaskowski (PL/EPP), rapporteur of the CoR opinion on the Climate Pact.

Contact

David Crous

david.crous@cor.europa.eu

+32 (0) 470 88 10 37