Cities and regions play a key role into translating high ambitions into effective policies to achieve Europe's environmental and climate targets

Local and regional leaders have recalled that the persisting gap between high ambitions and real-world implementation of the EU's environmental legislation can only be closed if cities and regions get more targeted financial and administrative support. The recommendations are part of a draft opinion prepared by the President of the Umbria Region Stefania Proietti (IT/PES) and unanimously adopted by members of the commission for the environment, climate change and energy (ENVE) on 18 June, during a meeting in Assisi (Italy).

According to the fourth Environmental Implementation Reviewpresented by the European Commission in 2025, the annual cost of failing to implement environmental rules is estimated at approximately €180 billion at EU level, due to healthcare costs, premature deaths, the need for urgent measures, and the loss of ecosystem services.

The draft opinion unanimously adopted by ENVE members in Assisi underlined that compliance with environmental legislation is not a burden but a cost-effective economic strategy to avert higher costs in the future: the implementation gap could be bridged with annual investment of €122 billion.

Regions and cities recalled that they are responsible for implementing 70% of climate mitigation policies and 90% of climate adaptation policies. Local and regional leaders welcomed efforts aiming at administrative simplification but stressed that they must never lead to hidden deregulation or lowered standards of protection.

At the moment, there are more than 300 active EU infringement procedures on environmental legislation, of which 45% are linked to pollution. ENVE members asked to complement monitoring and infringement procedures with a strongly reinforced model of 'proactive implementation assistance' for local and regional authorities, providing local levels with effective operational tools, access to information, targeted technical support and accessible financial resources. They also recommend developing innovative mechanisms so that proceeds from environmental penalties and pollution taxation systems can help implementation needs on the ground, in particular in affected regions.

Furthermore, the draft opinion underlined the importance of applying the 'do no significant harm' principle horizontally in a proportionate way across EU policies and investments, discouraging investment in technologies that hinder and slow down decarbonisation and the achievement of environmental targets, while supporting investment in innovation and effective transitions at regional level.

The draft opinion is scheduled for final adoption at the European Committee of the Regions' plenary in October.

Energy transition starts locally

On the day when EU Heads of State and Government gather in Brussels for the European Council meeting for a first discussion - among other topics - on how many EU resources will be allocated to the energy transition in the next decade, ENVE members underlined that "ambition without resources is ambition at risk". Local and regional leaders reiterated their call for a strong and place-based EU budget after 2027, while exploring territorial concerns and solutions in fighting energy poverty, and in increasing the security and resilience of the EU energy system. A first debate also highlighted potential benefits and risks of the EU strategy on small modular reactors to produce nuclear energy. The debate's conclusions will feed an opinion on the topic, to be drafted and voted in the coming months.

Quotes

Stefania Proietti (IT/PES), President of Umbria Region who hosted the meeting and rapporteur on the Environmental implementation review: "The Environmental Implementation Review is an important tool to provide the necessary information for decision-makers at all levels. From our daily experience the CoR members know what is needed for cities, provinces and regions to play their role in improving the environment for our citizens effectively. We need clear legal frameworks and appropriate technical and financial support so that we can protect and restore nature and its services, which is important for our health, our future and our competitiveness."

Kostas Bakoyannis (EL/EPP), ENVE commission chair and member of Athens City Council: "The next EU budget will define not only our priorities but also our capacity to act. It will determine whether local and regional authorities are adequately empowered to deliver on Europe's environmental, climate, and energy objectives. We must be clear: ambition without resources is ambition at risk. If we want Europe's green transition to succeed, it must be financed where it happens: locally, with a strong, place-based budget that recognises the central role of local and regional actors, ensures accessible funding, and avoids excessive administrative burden."

More information

·Pictures of the meeting in Assisi.

·Members of the ENVE commission - in charge of environment, climate change and energy policies at the European Committee of the Regions - were invited to Assisi by the President of Umbria Region Stefania Proietti. During the meeting, members exchanged views on different initiatives in the field of energy policy as part of the preparatory work to draft specific opinions, including on the EU Energy Security Framework, the Citizens Energy Package and the Small Modular Reactors Package.

·During different field visits, participants discovered best practices from Umbria Region on tackling groundwater pollution (SIERO project), adapting to climate change (URACC project), and on environmental monitoring at Lake Trasimeno.

·The programme will continue on Friday 19 June, with a conference focusing on the links between the green transition, landscape preservation and cultural heritage, as well as the role of communication.

Contacts

Lauri OuvinenTel. +32 [email protected]

Matteo MigliettaTel. +32 [email protected]