Assembly of European Regions General Assembly and General Meeting 2009

Belfort, France, 25-27 November 2009

Speech by Ludmila Sfirloaga President of the Chamber of Regions, Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Council of Europe

Roundtable discussion on “Regional Aspects of Energy and Climate Change”

Madam President,

Dear members of the Assembly of European Regions,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am very pleased to have this opportunity to speak to you today. I am convinced that the cooperation between the Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities and its Chamber of Regions, on the one hand, and the Assembly of European Regions, on the other, offers great potential for synergies between our two institutions.

It is also heartening to see that the subject of the roundtable today clearly states the link between the use of energy resources at territorial level and its impact on climate patterns. Allow me to elaborate more on this link and the Congress’ stance.

First of all, we argue that territorial authorities must be involved in the decision-making process on energy issues through a system of consultations, and must be responsible for informing their citizens about energy-related decisions.

Regional authorities can and must promote a more efficient use of energy, and offer innovative ideas and practices. They can, together with the local level, implement exemplary policies to cut down on energy consumption and improve their capacity for developing renewable resources. They have numerous possibilities for reducing fossil fuel dependency in practical terms: for example, encouraging car-sharing or the use of bicycles, using ecologically clean vehicles for public transport, improving heat insulation in buildings, inviting “cleaner” industries for local and regional production, all these issues are within their competences.

They must influence the sectors for which they have responsibility and take resolute steps in order for the energy use and production to ‘go local’.

We need to make clear that using locally available renewable resources is the way forward.  Not only does this reduces greenhouse gas emissions and dependance on fossil fuels, but it also means that the money spent on energy remains within the region and can be used to boost the local economy and foster employment. It prioritises long-term balanced development rather than short-term gains.

Indeed, finding solutions to the energy challenge is a social and political issue and not only a technical one. There is no doubt that Regions are part of the overall solution to the problem, which is to consume more efficiently and use services of higher quality.

The necessary technology, materials and equipment already exists. What is needed is a shift in attitudes and behaviour, a new energy culture and an integrated energy strategy. In order to elaborate and implement such a strategy, a cooperation network is necessary, involving national, regional and local authorities.

In 2008, the Congress called on territorial authorities to develop a new energy cultureand invited them to set up local and regional energy agencies in order to implement a sustainable energy policy at their level, while stressing the need for national parliaments to harmonise the legislative and regulatory framework regarding energy issues.

Over-consumption being among the main causes of increasing gas emissions, the Congress called on regional authorities, in particular, to mount action in favour of responsible consumption.

Moving from energy use, to its impact on the climate, the Congress called for risk assessment at local and regional levels and the introduction of progressive strategies for anticipating future climatic events. Regional authorities must know the degree of vulnerability of their communities and take measures to improve their resilience and response capacity.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Concerning the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 15), which will be held in Copenhagen in two weeks’ time, we are convinced that territorial authorities must be an integral part of this agreement. There are several reasons for this conviction.

Firstly, local and regional authorities play the primary role in bringing about a fundamental change in the way we organise our daily lives and our consumption patterns.

Secondly, due to their growing competences and economic resources, territorial authorities can become decisive actors in combating climate change.

Thirdly, territorial authorities are amongst Europe’s biggest polluters, as they bear the principal responsibility for developing the local and regional economy, for spatial planning and the provision of ”polluting” services such as heating and public transport.

The fourth reason for including territorial authorities in the climate agreement is the fact that reducing greenhouse gas emissions are issues where local and regional communities are most effective to manage the impact of climate change issues. These challenges compel communities to be innovative, expand competences, seek external partners and develop a new risk culture.

This year's Local Government Climate Change Leadership Summit, held in Copenhagen in June, provided a wealth of convincing local and regional initiatives to stabilise the climate and adapt their areas to the new climatic conditions.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As you know, national governments remain reluctant to recognise territorial authorities as partners. This is why in the run-up to the UN Conference, the Congress, along with other European regional organisations such as the Assembly of European Regions, have been active in mobilising territorial authorities to put pressure on governments. This would mean including and supporting cities and regions in the implementation of their national strategies to reach the agreed targets.

It is our firm conviction that climate protection does not depend solely on agreements between nation states. Cities and regions can assume an even stronger role in undertaking effective steps to combat climate change and adapt to its consequences. But to this end, the necessary political and financial support is needed from both international organisations and national governments to enable them to put adequate measures in place.

In our latest report in October devoted to climate change, we pointed out that local and regional authorities are responsible for many areas affected by climate change such as energy issues, mobility and public transport, spatial and urban planning, as well as water and waste management.

This is why we requested that local and regional authorities are represented in national delegations to the Climate Change Conference. It would add more weight to the process and result in a more comprehensive agreement. We also requested that the negotiations include the human rights dimension in order to provide more lasting responses to this major challenge.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This is, in a nutshell, the current emphasis of the Congress’ action in the field of energy and climate change. We are convinced that together, regions can carry out substantial action to respond to these challenges. I look forward to our discussion on what form this action should take, and how best to join our forces.