Declaration of European Local and Regional Leaders

The European Green Deal is a set of policy initiatives put forward by the European Commission with the overall goal of making the European continent climate neutral by 2050.

In order to implement the European Green Deal at the local level, at a recent conference on March 15 in Brussels, European mayors signed the Declaration of European local and regional leaders.

"We, European local and regional leaders, reaffirm our commitment to reach the objectives of the European Green Deal in our territories, facilitating the best possible participation of our citizens, enterprises and local communities."

As the EU enters a new phase following the 2024 elections turning into the implementation phase of the Green Deal, there should be a much larger focus on formulating policies that enable the roll-out of no-regret measures and that speed up the implementation of on-the-ground solutions for both climate mitigation and adaptation. These will bring tangible added value to our businesses and our communities, while accelerating the transition to climate neutrality.

Local and regional governments play a central role in delivering the European Green Deal. Given our proximity to citizens and businesses, we are the best placed to get local stakeholders and communities on board by creating the necessary conditions and support for local initiatives to flourish, ensuring that the European Green Deal transforms into meaningful, effective and tangible actions for the benefit of all people.

To deliver on our commitment, we need to operate in the right context. While we focus on designing strategies to help citizens, stakeholders and enterprises get on board, our capacity to mobilise and implement should be more strongly embedded in the European Green Deal, while our needs, barriers and opportunities should be taken into account in the development of the European legislative and supportive framework.

We, European local and regional leaders:

• Reaffirm our resolve to act as key allies of the European Union and Member States in implementing ambitious and transformative actions aimed at delivering the European Green Deal on the ground.
• Reiterate our willingness to build stronger capacities and skills to implement Green Deal projects, fostering innovation, cooperation, and citizen engagement within and across our various public policy domains.
• Highlight that to actively engage citizens, stakeholders and enterprises, local and regional governments initiate many tailor-made tangible actions and targets. However, stress the need to plan for better multi-level governance integration and direct access to funding.
• Welcome the growth of EU supporting instruments for local and regional governments in different European Green Deal policy areas. However, warn that this proliferation might not correspond to an equivalent increase in their measurable impact.

​To ensure the successful implementation of the European Green Deal, it is imperative to empower local and regional governments as key agents of change.

By enhancing our capacities, providing targeted financial support, breaking policy silos, and establishing structural dialogues, the EU can unleash the potential of local and regional initiatives that drive sustainable transformation, while aligning with local and regional realities. This approach will harness the trust citizens and businesses have placed in their local and regional authorities, thereby ensuring ongoing coordination and alignment and propelling the European Green Deal from a mere aspiration to a reality