Council of European Municipalities and Regions

LOCAL INSIGHT
Local and regional governments' view
of European affairs

Carbon taxes, cycle paths, electric transport systems or auctioning carbon emission rights. Cities and regions around the world are leading the fight against global warming.

This is one of the main conclusions highlighted by the 1st annual report of the Global Observatory of Non-State Climate Action, published by Climate Chance.

Its aim? To become a key toolkit to encourage local and national decision-makers around the world to pool local and national policies when carrying out measures to limit the consequences of climate change.

 

“Where central government didn’t have the money, they passed the job to local governments.” The problem is, they transferred the competences, but not the resources. Cheltenham councillor, Local Government Association member and CEMR spokesperson on local finance, Flo Clucas, was referring to the aftermath of the financial crisis of 2008 and its impact on local government. She was speaking at a conference on Subnational finance and investment ten years after the crisis, organised by the Committee of the Regions and the OECD on 12 November in Brussels.

The financial crisis happened ten years ago, and yet, its effects are still felt throughout many local governments across Europe. They are under heavy financial pressure, and there is urgent need for public investment. However, investing at local level has been made very difficult.

From digital education to technological investments, towns and regions are in strong need of support for the digital transition. And very soon, the next long-term EU budget will begin. That’s why the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), the Digital Transition Partnership, EUROCITIES and OASC have decided to join forces. Read our joint statement for the details:

The digital transition is currently revolutionising European cities.

It is transforming service delivery locally with the potential of creating better and more accessible services at lower operating costs to the benefit of citizens. At the same time, it is a long term process, which will require sustained support in the coming years to fully reap the potential benefits and ensure all cities across Europe are on track.

8,000 participants. 53 countries. 8 editions. 1 goal: the transition to sustainable cities and territories. We’re talking about Africities 2018, which took place in Marrakesh (Morocco) from 20 to 24 November.

While the transition to a sustainable future may be the overarching goal, that goal hangs onto many different strands. CEMR organised several sessions at Africities, focusing on different fundamental aspects of a sustainable and just transition. Here’s what happened.

The Africa-Europe Pact for Local Equality is born

Great news for supporters of gender equality: the Africa-Europe Pact for Local Equality is born! Although it is still a draft version (the final Pact will be signed in 2019), this is a big step for gender equality at local level. It’s a commitment from local Africa and local Europe to work together to advance gender equality and empower women and girls.

The elections results are now official. No, not the US mid-term elections. We’re talking about a different congress: the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. On 6 November, CEMR Executive President Anders Knape was elected President of the Congress for a two-year period. That’s not all: CEMR Co-President, Gunn Marit Helgesen was also re-elected as President of the Chamber of Regions for two more years. Congratulations to them both!

“Sincere congratulations for this election, which recognises the great work done and engages us for even stronger cooperation for local democracy and decentralisation.” stated CEMR Secretary General Frédéric Vallier when he learned of the election results.