Climate and energy transition

Introduction

Climate change is already affecting cities and regions worldwide through increased heatwaves, floods, droughts, forest fires and migration. In 2050, the world population is expected to reach nearly 10 billion. This will mean an even greater human impact on the environment and increased urgency to adapt to climate change. Local and regional governments are suffering the consequences and impacts of climate change; but they can also provide the solutions.
 
CEMR actievely engages the EU, its Member States and other European countries and global institutions, notably attending the UN's annual COP summits on climate change, to ensure local and regional governments have the right policy frameworks and support to decarbonise their territories.
 
Policymaking on climate, energy and environment has gained tremendous momentum in the EU since 2019 with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s European Green Deal. This seeks to make Europe the first carbon-neutral continent by 2050, in line with the European commitments in the Paris Agreement on Climate and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
 
The CEMR Expert Group on Climate and Energy closely follows and works these developments. Specific EU policy and legislative files we work on include:

• The climate law
• The 2030 climate target
• The energy efficiency directive
• The renewable energy directive
• The energy performance in buildings directive
• The strategy on adaptation
• The forest strategy
• The social climate fund

CEMR Spokespersons