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Eurocities

Eurocities is a major network of over 200 European cities working to influence EU policy through local urban experience.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Gordan Bosanac (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

27 Jan 2026 · Eurocities' proposals for amendments on the NRPP's report

Meeting with Marie-Helene Boulanger (Head of Unit Justice and Consumers)

11 Dec 2025 · Presentation by Eurocities of their priorities for the implementation of the European Democracy Shield

Meeting with Celine Gauer (Director-General Structural Reform Support)

2 Dec 2025 · Discussion on Eurocities’ reflections paper about the upcoming “EU agenda for cities”

Meeting with Gordan Bosanac (Member of the European Parliament)

18 Nov 2025 · Eurocities' proposals for amendments to the NRPPs

Meeting with Arthur Corbin (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné), Mark Nicklas (Head of Unit Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs)

12 Nov 2025 · Small affordable cars

Meeting with Mariella Masselink (Head of Unit Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs)

7 Nov 2025 · EU Agenda for Cities

Meeting with Kadri Uustal (Head of Unit Regional and Urban Policy) and ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability European Secretariat

6 Nov 2025 · Exchange of views on the preparation of the EU Agenda for Cities

Meeting with Magnus Brunner (Commissioner) and

3 Nov 2025 · Migration and integration of migrants

Response to Circular Economy Act

31 Oct 2025

Cities are the engines of Europes circular economy. From waste prevention and reuse to green job creation and resilient local supply chains, cities are already leading the way in delivering the innovation the Circular Economy Act aims to succeed. As the primary managers of waste and the closest link to citizens, cities have the insight and capacity to turn policy ambitions into impact, if given the right tools. Therefore, the CEA must resort to the cities experience and provide the necessary enabling conditions for a successful circular transformation. The CEA must: 1. prioritise prevention and reuse, 2. Boost reuse and durability to reduce waste by introducing binding reuse requirements for single-use product streams and promoting durability, repair, refurbishment and remanufacturing for long-life products such as electronics, textiles and furniture. 3. Introduce mandatory life-cycle assessments (LCA) for all products to standardise carbon footprint calculations and support local administrations in making sustainable procurement decisions by allowing the comparison of similar or equivalent products 4. expand Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to waste streams like furniture, building materials (construction and demolition (C&D) waste), chemical products and, hazardous (e.g. paints and PFAS), Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastics (CFRP), and toys, 5. recognise local authorities roles in EPR schemes and pay close attention to their design and operation 6. incentivise circular markets through VAT reduction or exemption on secondary products and repairs 7. Adjust public procurement criteria to further support sustainable purchasing by public authorities. 8. Ensure cities receive adequate financial support to reskill workers and strengthen local circular economy jobs, while also enabling them to implement the measures required to achieve 2030 environmental targets and beyond. This submission is backed by detailed policy demands and a repository of proven city-led solutions already transforming Europes circular future.
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Eurocities urges place-based innovation in European Competitiveness Fund

28 Oct 2025
Topic — EU budget proposals for post-2027 funds supporting European competitiveness and innovation.
Message — Cities want to be explicitly included as key beneficiaries of the European Competitiveness Fund and Horizon Europe. They request representation in the European Competitiveness Advisory Board and priority for local innovation ecosystems addressing societal challenges.123
Why — This would give cities direct access to EU innovation funding and decision-making power.45
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Eurocities urges mandatory urban chapters in EU budget plans

28 Oct 2025
Topic — The next EU long-term budget for 2028-2034 and funding for regions and cities.
Message — Eurocities requests mandatory urban chapters in national investment plans with dedicated earmarking for cities, binding multilevel governance, and a clear budget for city-related activities. They argue the Commission's proposal risks sidelining local governments who implement most EU legislation.123
Why — This would give cities direct access to EU funding and ensure their role in implementing EU objectives is strategically planned and resourced.45
Impact — European citizens lose effective delivery of EU climate and social objectives when local governments are excluded from decision-making.67
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Eurocities Urges Cities Remain Central to New European Bauhaus

17 Oct 2025
Topic — Future development and scaling of the New European Bauhaus initiative.
Message — Eurocities requests that cities remain key players in NEB, that the initiative maintain its interdisciplinary approach linking culture to other policies, and that dedicated NEB funding be secured for cities in the next EU budget. They want the Commission to support knowledge sharing and capacity building for cities to implement quality architecture and built environment.1234
Why — This would provide cities with resources, guidance and funding flexibility to implement sustainable urban projects aligned with mayors' priorities.56
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Meeting with César Luena (Member of the European Parliament)

7 Oct 2025 · Environment

Meeting with Li Andersson (Member of the European Parliament, Committee chair)

7 Oct 2025 · Green, digital, and social transitions

Meeting with Sabrina Repp (Member of the European Parliament)

7 Oct 2025 · Cities

Meeting with Peter Liese (Member of the European Parliament) and SYNERGI

7 Oct 2025 · Austausch

Meeting with Pierfrancesco Maran (Member of the European Parliament)

7 Oct 2025 · EU Housing Policy and Short Term Rentals

Meeting with Borja Giménez Larraz (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and Construction Products Europe and

7 Oct 2025 · HOUS Draft Report

Meeting with Michael McGrath (Commissioner)

7 Oct 2025 · European Democracy Shield

Meeting with Rasmus Nordqvist (Member of the European Parliament)

7 Oct 2025 · Cooperation between Mayors and MEPs

Meeting with Gordan Bosanac (Member of the European Parliament)

7 Oct 2025 · Exchange of views on the cities agenda and the MFF proposal

Meeting with Gabriele Bischoff (Member of the European Parliament)

7 Oct 2025 · Austausch

Meeting with Nela Riehl (Member of the European Parliament, Committee chair)

7 Oct 2025 · Exchange with Eurocities

Meeting with Dan Jørgensen (Commissioner) and

1 Oct 2025 · Housing

Meeting with Beatriz Yordi (Director Climate Action) and ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability European Secretariat and

29 Sept 2025 · ETS2 & Social Climate Fund Implementation, Communication Efforts and Best Practices

Meeting with Marlene Rosemarie Madsen (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen)

17 Sept 2025 · Exchange of views on digital transformation in cities

Response to The new Action Plan on the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights

10 Sept 2025

To ensure effective delivery of the new Action Plan, it is essential to work closely with cities, as they are key actors in implementing the Pillar on the ground. Multi-level governance, adequate resources, and stronger involvement of local authorities will be crucial to turn principles into practice. The following steps could reinforce engagement and implementation: - Recommendation 1: Embed a place-based approach across the design and implementation of the Action Plan and all related EU initiatives. - Recommendation 2: Promote integrated and people-centred approaches across social policies and EU funding. - Recommendation 3: Revise the EU Social Scoreboard and the European Semester to provide relevant information on territorial and social realities. - Recommendation 4: Address poverty in its most extreme forms. - Recommendation 5: Strengthen the focus on the housing crisis in the Action Plan. - Recommendation 6: Strengthen the equal opportunity agenda to fight discrimination at all levels of governance. - Recommendation 7: Reinforce the EU Child Guarantee through stronger multi-level governance. - Recommendation 8: Put people and places at the centre of the EU education, skills and employment agenda.
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Eurocities urges EU to maintain 90% emissions reduction target by 2040

10 Sept 2025
Topic — Amendment to EU Climate Law to include 2040 climate target towards 2050 neutrality.
Message — Cities demand permanent structured dialogue platforms between EU, national governments, and cities to shape energy and climate plans. They call for rejection of international carbon offsets, maintaining 90% domestic emissions reduction as legally binding, and inclusive support mechanisms for just transition. Cities want recognition as full partners, not passive implementers.123456
Why — This gives cities decision-making power and direct funding access for climate projects they implement.789
Impact — Vulnerable households lose if green solutions remain unaffordable and workers in carbon-intensive industries lack transition support.1011
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Eurocities demands binding zero-emission targets for large corporate fleets

8 Sept 2025
Topic — The proposal sets minimum requirements to increase zero-emission vehicle uptake in corporate fleets.
Message — Eurocities requests a binding regulation requiring large corporate car and van fleets to be entirely zero-emission by 2030. They also want e-bikes included in decarbonisation targets and 2030 mandates for taxis and ride-hailing services.123
Why — Tighter rules will help cities achieve air quality targets and urban sustainability goals.45
Impact — Corporations with large fleets face higher costs from mandatory vehicle purchase targets.67
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Eurocities urges binding EU climate adaptation targets for cities

3 Sept 2025
Topic — EU framework for climate preparedness, resilience, and harmonised climate risk management rules.
Message — The organisation requests urgent, ambitious EU action including clear, measurable, legally binding targets at EU level that member states must translate into plans. Cities must be integral to plan elaboration. Adaptation must mainstream across all policies beyond climate protection.1234
Why — This would provide cities with adequate human, technical and financial resources for adaptation implementation.5
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Response to Sustainable transport investment plan

29 Aug 2025

Eurocities welcomes the Commissions efforts to scale up and prioritise investment for the decarbonisation of all transport modes to make Europe more sustainable and competitive. While ramping up the production and distribution of renewable and low-carbon fuels is important, the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP) is also a key opportunity to support cities in addressing similar challenges to other sectors: market fragmentation, weak demand coordination, and underused public procurement. If the STIP focuses mainly on maritime and aviation, the EU risks missing a major opportunity to strengthen competitiveness through strategic investment in regional and urban transport. The economic case is compelling, such as every euro invested in public transport generating 6.5 in regional economic returns, while investments in cycling, zero-emission bus production, and SMEs in shared or digital mobility create quality jobs and industrial opportunities that cannot be outsourced. Providing cities and regions with a clear and stable investment framework will unlock innovation, attract private capital, and help European industries scale globally. The EU legislative framework for regional and urban transport decarbonisation is already in place. For example, the revised TEN-T Regulation requires all urban nodes to adopt a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) by 2027. However, EU funding mechanisms do not adequately support the investments these requirements demand. The STIP should therefore streamline access to funding for local governments and operators and recognise SUMPs as true investment roadmaps that guide project pipelines and investment opportunities. In addition, the STIP should be an opportunity to support cities efforts to decarbonise mobility, be it by upgrading bus depots or building zero-emission transport infrastructure. For instance, providing clarification on the future of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility beyond 2026 should be a key component of this plan. The STIP can become a cornerstone of a clean, inclusive, and competitive European transport if it puts regional and urban mobility at its core. Cities and regions are ready to work with the Commission to deliver this agenda. With the right priorities, the STIP can accelerate decarbonisation, strengthen Europes industries, and make the EU a global leader in sustainable transport.
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Response to Review of the State aid rules on the Services of General Economic Interest (“SGEI”)

31 Jul 2025

Eurocities and the Mayors for Housing Alliance are submitting their joint response to this call for evidence, as attached.
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Meeting with Isabelle Le Callennec (Member of the European Parliament)

15 Jul 2025 · Logement

Meeting with Beatriz Yordi (Director Climate Action) and ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability European Secretariat and

30 Jun 2025 · ETS2 / SCF / Public consultation

Meeting with Hugo Sobral (Deputy Director-General Regional and Urban Policy)

19 Jun 2025 · Short exchange of views on the upcoming Agenda for cities

Meeting with Vicent Marzà Ibáñez (Member of the European Parliament) and Transport and Environment (European Federation for Transport and Environment)

5 Jun 2025 · Clean Cities - Situation of Air Quality in Castelló

Eurocities urges EU to fund local AI Act compliance

3 Jun 2025
Topic — The initiative aims to accelerate industrial AI adoption and improve public services.
Message — Eurocities requests legal guidance and financial resources to help local authorities comply with the AI Act. They also call for funding to boost AI literacy among public staff and citizens.12
Why — Direct support would reduce compliance costs and clarify legal uncertainties for local administrations.3
Impact — National governments may face increased costs to provide technical assistance to local municipalities.4
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Meeting with Teresa Ribera Rodríguez (Executive Vice-President) and

28 May 2025 · Green transition

Response to Policy agenda for cities

26 May 2025

Eurocities Contribution to the New EU Policy Agenda for Cities The upcoming EU policy agenda for cities comes at a critical time, as urban areas are increasingly on the frontline of tackling complex challenges central to Europes future. With over 75% of the population living in urban areas, cities are uniquely placed to turn EU ambitions into action and are key to delivering on priorities such as the Green Deal, competitiveness, digital transformation, and social cohesion. A new agenda is therefore not just desirable but necessary: it can serve as a pioneering model for operational partnerships between the EU and local governments. This agenda must not be seen in opposition to other territorial approaches or rural development. On the contrary, cities are not islands: they are embedded in wider functional territories. The EU cities agenda should promote integrated territorial cooperation, especially at the metropolitan level and across administrative borders, ensuring policies support mutual reinforcement, not competition, among places. We welcome the European Commissions efforts to rethink its urban approach and urge to empower cities as equal partners, co-designing, guiding, and evaluating policies through a collaborative and systemic framework. A truly impactful EU agenda must be shaped around macro-challenges, i.e. cross-cutting, high-impact priorities, co-created with cities through structured dialogue and evidence-based mechanisms, not imposed top-down. It must embed a robust governance structure, including a high-level Urban Sounding Board and thematic steering groups, to coordinate and monitor progress across all levels of government. For successful implementation, DG REGIO should be equipped with adequate resources to lead, including a dedicated Cities Directorate and cross-DG urban teams to ensure coherent EU-level support. Three Enablers for Local Delivery Regulatory Coherence and Multi-Level Governance Cities are often the main implementers of EU policies and have great potential to lead on sustainable development, acting as key entry points for investment and innovation. However, they often face regulatory misalignment and limited involvement in shaping policies they must implement. The new agenda must recognise cities as full EU policy actors, introducing structured engagement mechanisms like thematic boards and localised implementation strategies. Better intergovernmental cooperation and harmonised frameworks are essential to ensure feasibility and impact at local level. Dedicated Funding and Financing Mechanisms Without dedicated EU and national resources, the agenda will lack local impact. This is a key opportunity to set clear access conditions for local authorities under the next MFF. The new MFF must include an urban chapter in national plans to localise EU priorities and earmark funding (e.g. at least 15% from cohesion policy) for city-led action. Expanding the European Urban Initiative and creating an EU Urban Investment Platform will unlock investment-ready projects, de-risk private capital, and support innovation ecosystems. Capacity Building and Public Sector Innovation Effective implementation requires local capacities. The agenda must offer a coordinated and well-funded capacity-building framework for cities. We propose a three-tier approach: (a) a strengthened EU framework (e.g. EUI, Urbact, and coordinated programmes), (b) a city-specific Technical Support Instrument as a targeted reform lever, and (c) locally tailored support via national investment plans. Capacity-building should be hands-on, flexible, and aligned with real projects, helping cities upskill, hire strategic staff, and foster innovation. Conclusion By strengthening governance, resources, and capacity, the EU can forge a lasting partnership that puts resilience, inclusion, and innovation at the heart of Europe's urban future. Please see the extensive response in the attached file
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Meeting with Maxi Espeter (Cabinet of Commissioner Christophe Hansen)

22 May 2025 · Enhanced Dialogue between the EU, Member States and local authorities. Cities’ contribution to the yearly food dialogue and to shaping food environments.

Meeting with Diana Riba I Giner (Member of the European Parliament)

21 May 2025 · Local Cultural Policies in the EU

Meeting with Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea (Director Environment) and Municipal Waste Europe

20 May 2025 · Exchange of views on Circular Economy Act

Meeting with Andrey Novakov (Member of the European Parliament)

14 May 2025 · Regional Policy

Response to Connecting Europe through high-speed rail

8 May 2025

Eurocities welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the design of a new European High-Speed Railway Plan. Eurocities and its members urge the European institutions to support the development of a comprehensive, high-quality rail network that links all major European cities and urban centres as a key lever to reach our sustainability objectives and promote economic development and connectivity. In recent years, the EU has increasingly focused on the accessibility and sustainability of transport across the continent, highlighting rail transports key role in keeping the EU on track toward carbon neutrality and economic prosperity. Cities are critical hubs in this transport transition from road and aviation to rail, tasked with integrating long-distance rail into their local mobility networks through comprehensive Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) and targeted investments. To promote the efficient development and improved maintenance of multimodal urban nodes, we ask the EU to: Recognise rail transport as a top priority and key driver for fostering EU economic growth, territorial connectivity and integration, and carbon-neutral mobility as part of the policy initiatives to be developed during the 20242029 mandate. Encourage and support Member States to invest in developing connectivity between urban centres via long-distance rail transport, and in rail capacity to reduce disruption between long-distance road transport and regional and local transport. Offer cities a seat at the table when planning decisions are made for railway development and management, to better align planning processes and make good use of the new approach proposed for urban nodes under the new TEN-T Regulation. Establish a regulatory framework that promotes healthy and fair competition in cross-border high-speed railways, ensuring affordable transport options and seamless cross-border, multi-operator ticketing systems for passengers. Support the development of additional night train services towards a comprehensive network at the European scale, through initiatives on railway capacities, increased availability of timeslots for night connections, and the renewal of dedicated rolling stock.
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Response to A Culture Compass for Europe

8 May 2025

75% of Europes population lives in urban areas, and city leaders and administrations are the level of government closest to and often most trusted by people; this enables them to develop innovative policies that can be tested in cities before being implemented at national level for example. Here are Eurocities proposals for the future Culture Compass for Europe: - The Culture Compass should consider cities as key players Culture is already a real compass for cities: there is no vibrant city without a vibrant cultural scene, and there will be no strong EU without a strong support to culture. Cities are also at the forefront of tackling global challenges - from climate change to social inequality, and to democracy. It is also at local level that cultural institutions, artists, audiences and other stakeholders can gather to build projects and models of more sustainable culture. - The Culture Compass should connect culture to other policy areas Culture, heritage and architecture are increasingly at the heart of cities agendas, and their connections to other areas, such as climate change, inclusion, health and well-being, democracy, urban regeneration or city attractiveness, are becoming ever more evident.This should translate at EU level by transversal European policies and programmes where culture is connected to other strategic policies. - The Culture Compass should acknowledge sustainable culture: greener and more inclusive culture Local policy makers are working towards cultural policies and events that are greener and that use less resources. They also work towards more inclusive cultural policies and activities that are ambitious, open to all, independent from their backgrounds, representative of local diversities, and participative. Sustainable culture should be at the heart of the forthcoming Culture Compass and cities are very much willing to share innovative practices and to develop new ones. - The culture compass should recognize the importance of sustainable architecture, design and built environment for a better quality of life Architecture has a fundamental impact on peoples quality of life. Cities must have well-designed buildings and living environments that are inclusive and considerate of everyones needs, without harming the environment. This includes vibrant public spaces. The Compass should highlight the need to mobilize resources for cities to deliver on the New European Bauhaus objectives and to help cities implement quality principles in their built environment. - The Culture Compass should reinforce democracy as a foundational European value Democracy is under attack in many ways today and mayors are deeply concerned by the increased polarisation of societies, within cities and between urban and rural areas. Research indicates that individuals engaged in cultural activities are more likely to participate in democratic processes. The Compass should therefore consider the potential of culture as a tool for democratic engagement. - The Culture Compass should encourage knowledge-sharing between cities Supporting cities to do more together is a crucial yet straightforward way of delivering on the EUs policy objectives. The EU should encourage long-term peer learning programs to develop and test new working models in European cities, share their outcomes, and evaluate their adaptability to other local contexts.
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Meeting with Eva Schultz (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu), Sonia Vila Nunez (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu)

24 Apr 2025 · Meeting on key files that are important to cities and which EVP Mînzatu is leading on

Meeting with Matthieu Moulonguet (Cabinet of Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra) and Transport and Environment (European Federation for Transport and Environment) and

23 Apr 2025 · Greening Corporate Fleet

Meeting with Glenn Micallef (Commissioner) and

14 Apr 2025 · Introductory meeting

Meeting with Pierfrancesco Maran (Member of the European Parliament)

7 Apr 2025 · Short-Term Rentals Event

Meeting with Luis Planas Herrera (Cabinet of Commissioner Jessika Roswall), Pernille Weiss-Ehler (Cabinet of Commissioner Jessika Roswall), Vita Jukne (Cabinet of Commissioner Jessika Roswall)

7 Apr 2025 · Dealing with PFAS pollution in metropole areas

Meeting with Martin Hojsík (Member of the European Parliament)

4 Apr 2025 · PFAS pollution

Meeting with Carla Tavares (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

25 Mar 2025 · MFF post-2027 and the role of cities

Meeting with Raffaele Fitto (Executive Vice-President)

25 Mar 2025 · Exchange of views on the agenda for cities, Cohesion policy and the future Multiannual Financial Framework

Meeting with Alexandr Hobza (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné), Estelle Goeger (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné), Laia Pinos Mataro (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné)

18 Mar 2025 · European cities

Meeting with Ivo Belet (Cabinet of Commissioner Dubravka Šuica), Marco La Marca (Cabinet of Commissioner Dubravka Šuica)

18 Mar 2025 · Pact for the Mediterranean.

Meeting with Ivan Dimov (Cabinet of Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva), Sophie Alexandrova (Cabinet of Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva)

18 Mar 2025 · Visit of Commissioner Zaharieva to the USA Discussion about different proposals for meetings

Meeting with Alexandre Adam (Cabinet of President Ursula von der Leyen)

13 Mar 2025 · Exchange of views on the role of local cities in the MFF

Meeting with Kadri Uustal (Head of Unit Regional and Urban Policy)

11 Mar 2025 · Exchange of views on the preparation of the EU Agenda for cities, and future Multiannual Financial Framework

Eurocities urges simpler procurement rules to support local sustainability

7 Mar 2025
Topic — The EU is evaluating directives governing public procurement and concession contracts.
Message — Eurocities requests a simplified framework with more flexibility to select local providers. They also seek financial support for digital tools and clearer policy guidance.12
Why — Cities would gain the power to directly support local economic growth and innovation.3
Impact — Global firms may lose access as cities favor local and EU-based suppliers.4
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Meeting with Lourdes Acedo Montoya (Head of Unit Budget)

5 Mar 2025 · Cities’ access to the next MFF, partnership principle, and future of cohesion policy.

Meeting with Magda Kopczynska (Director-General Mobility and Transport)

27 Feb 2025 · Exchange of views on Eurocities priorities for the new Commission mandate and upcoming DG MOVE activities

Meeting with Rasmus Nordqvist (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

25 Feb 2025 · EU Waste legislation

Meeting with Eric Von Breska (Director Mobility and Transport)

17 Feb 2025 · Courtesy visit to present Eurocities, their activities and their members’ priorities as well as interest in upcoming EC initiatives and scope for further collaboration.

Meeting with Birgit Sippel (Member of the European Parliament)

13 Feb 2025 · Cities and Migrants' Rights

Meeting with Florentine Hopmeier (Cabinet of Commissioner Piotr Serafin)

11 Feb 2025 · Exchange of views on the role of Eurocities in shaping the future Multiannual Financial Framework and other EU priorities

Meeting with Chris Uregian (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto)

10 Feb 2025 · Exchange of views on the agenda for cities

Response to Uniform format for national restoration plans

6 Feb 2025

Eurocities is the largest network of European cities. We count over 200 large cities among our membership, representing more than 150 million people across 38 countries, from within and outside the European Union. We welcome the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft uniform format of the National Restoration Plans as part of the Nature Restoration Regulation. To ensure effective restoration measures on the ground, member states must work with cities to understand what measures are needed according to the local context both in terms of the letter of the Regulation and the spirit and whats needed to implement these measures (financing, human resources, construction skills, data etc). Below, we provide detailed feedback for each of the three Parts of the Plan, including regarding the suggested typology of urban greening measures. Here in short, we share five key points as feedback: 1. Typology of urban green measures: we recommend a simplification and revision to the suggested typology of measures as these currently do not reflect city greening measures / policies that will be implemented; a key factor is the need to recognise ecological performance within the typologies. Cities have been clear on the need to focus on biodiversity value (quality), not just amount of space (quantity), especially in terms of building resilience to climate shocks. Despite the focus on the Regulation on quantitative urban targets, cities stress the need for qualitative measures to be implemented and to 'count' towards these targets. 2. Public participation: there is a need to structure the input from member states (MS) on how they will consult various stakeholders on the different ecosystem restoration needs. This structuring should include what type of stakeholder is consulted and how they were consulted; in addition, MS should be required to detail how the consultation feedback has been taken into account. We strongly recommend the establishment of a new section focused on the participation of regional and local authorities in the development of the National Restoration Plans given their central role in achieving urban ecosystem restoration. 3. LAU or UEA: there is a strong need for guidance on the definition and implications of using the unit LAU or UEA for implementing the target of no net loss of urban green space or tree canopy cover by 2030. This guidance is needed on both the member state and local level and should be part of a discussion between these two. Further, the guidance should include clear instructions as to the implication in terms of reporting. It is unclear whether the current uniform format is designed / appropriate for both units. 4. Co-benefits and related policies: currently, the Plan suggests that information regarding the Plans link to biodiversity policy information is optional, this should be mandatory; further, the Plan should require the consideration and explicit link to local, regional and national level policies and programmes for soil monitoring, climate adaptation, skills development and education. 5. Funding: there is a need for more granular detail than currently planned. Given that funding will be crucial to the implementation and achievement of restoration targets, it is crucial to understand how measures will be funded. The current Plan indicates options for a broad overview of funding per ecosystem, not per measure. Further, it indicates public vs private funding, but not whether public financing is local, regional, national or EU financing. Further information should be required. Please see further details, including a recommendation for a revised typology of green measures, within the attachment. We remain available for further discussion and look forward to working with the European Commission to support effective implementation of the urban restoration targets.
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Meeting with Jiri Svarc (Head of Unit Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion)

28 Jan 2025 · Cities at the Heart of the EU Social Agenda: Shaping the Anti-Poverty Strategy, the state of essential services in the EU, and reinforcing of the European Child Guarantee

Meeting with Gabriella Gerzsenyi (Member of the European Parliament)

28 Jan 2025 · Introductory Meeting with the Mayor of Utrecht

Meeting with Brigitte Fellahi-Brognaux (Head of Unit Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion)

23 Jan 2025 · Exchange on social economy developments in the EU

Meeting with Katarina Ivankovic-Knezevic (Director Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion)

22 Jan 2025 · Exchange of views on Eurocities activities in 2025

Meeting with Brigitte Fellahi-Brognaux (Head of Unit Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion)

21 Jan 2025 · Exchanges on social economy and innovation

Meeting with Irene Tinagli (Member of the European Parliament)

15 Jan 2025 · Meeting on housing issues

Meeting with Anne Katherina Weidenbach (Cabinet of Commissioner Dan Jørgensen), Anne Katherina Weidenbach (Cabinet of Commissioner Dan Jørgensen)

15 Jan 2025 · Actions to contribute to affordable housing

Meeting with Marcos Ros Sempere (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

14 Jan 2025 · Meeting with Eurocities

Meeting with Themis Christophidou (Director-General Regional and Urban Policy)

22 Nov 2024 · Urban dimension of cohesion policy

Meeting with Benedetta Scuderi (Member of the European Parliament)

13 Nov 2024 · City Social Summit

Meeting with Johan Danielsson (Member of the European Parliament)

8 Nov 2024 · Prioriteringar under mandatperioden med fokus på storstäder

Meeting with Younous Omarjee (Member of the European Parliament)

22 Oct 2024 · Sommet des maires européens

Meeting with Gordan Bosanac (Member of the European Parliament)

22 Oct 2024 · European Mayors Summit

Meeting with Isabelle Le Callennec (Member of the European Parliament)

22 Oct 2024 · Villes en Europe

Meeting with Rasmus Nordqvist (Member of the European Parliament)

22 Oct 2024 · Réception à occasion de la nouvelle législature

Meeting with Rasmus Andresen (Member of the European Parliament) and Alianza contra la pobreza energética

15 Oct 2024 · Housing Crisis

Meeting with Irene Tinagli (Member of the European Parliament) and International Union of Tenants

3 Oct 2024 · Meeting on housing issues

Response to Interim Evaluation of Digital Europe

19 Sept 2024

Eurocities, as coordinator of the Go Li.EU project replies to this consultation on behalf of the Living-in.EU community. Living-in.EU supports the European digital transformation by enhancing cooperation between cities, regions, member states, and EU institutions. It focuses on promoting the use of trustworthy digital solutions, fostering multilevel governance, and optimizing synergies between different funding levels, such as the Digital Europe Programme (DEP). On behalf of its community, Eurocities submits its reply to this consultation. Adjusting the DEPs Funding Rate The 50% funding rate and lack of awareness are seen as barriers for public administrations to engage in DEP calls. Currently, both the public and private sectors are required to co-fund projects at a 50% rate, which poses challenges for public entities that have limited budgets. Public bodies should receive higher financial support. Identifying co-funding sources like the European Digital Infrastructure Consortium (EDICs) and national funds would help increase public sector participation. Lack of support for basic digital skills Although DEP prioritizes advanced digital skills, this focus does not meet the broader need for basic digital skills across the EU population. Only 56% of EU citizens currently possess basic digital literacy, which could hinder the Digital Decades target of reaching 80% by 2030. Cities and regions are investing in digital services, but low digital skills among citizens restrict their use. The programme should support local efforts to improve basic digital skills, including media literacy and AI awareness. Strengthening the Digital-Green Transition The DEP is designed to accelerate both digital and green transitions. Living-in.EU advocates for a stronger emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency. Future DEP work programmes should integrate digital, green, and social transitions more effectively, paying greater attention to the ecological impact of digital infrastructure and solutions, which has not been a major focus so far. Voluntary Benchmarking Tools (LORDIMAS) The Local and Regional Digital Maturity Assessment tool (LORDIMAS), developed under the Living-in.EU framework, represents a pivotal tool for cities and regions to assess their digital maturity. It offers policy recommendations for improvement and the aggregated data is of high relevance to local, regional, and national authorities, as well as to adjust the DEP work programmes and address the most pressing needs of cities and municipalities. DEP should provide support for maintaining and further developing the tool. Supporting the Living-in.EU multi-level governance community Given the different levels of digital awareness and maturity, there is still a lot of work to be done to support cities and regions, facilitate the exchange of solutions, and build their capacity. The Digital Europe program will have a real impact on local public administrations only if it reaches them. For this to happen, the work started by the Living-in.EU initiative needs to be continued. The benefits achieved so far in some cities and regions, should be spread to more public authorities. This is a process that takes time. Therefore, as Living-in.EU coordinator, Eurocities calls for continuation of the funding for running the community through a dedicated follow-up funding call in the next work programme 2025-2026. A more comprehensive response to this consultation is available in the attached file.
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Meeting with Ruth Reichstein (Cabinet of President Ursula von der Leyen) and Transport and Environment (European Federation for Transport and Environment) and

29 Aug 2024 · transport policy

Meeting with Marcos Ros Sempere (Member of the European Parliament)

23 Jul 2024 · Meeting with Eurocities

Meeting with Themis Christophidou (Director-General Regional and Urban Policy)

9 Jul 2024 · Urban dimension of cohesion policy

Meeting with Birgit Sippel (Member of the European Parliament) and Berlin Governance Platform gGmbH

27 Jun 2024 · Common European Asylum System at local level

Meeting with Themis Christophidou (Director-General Regional and Urban Policy)

21 May 2024 · Urban dimension of cohesion policy

Meeting with Maroš Šefčovič (Executive Vice-President) and

15 Mar 2024 · Clean Transition Dialogue for Cities

Meeting with Pablo Fabregas Martinez (Cabinet of Commissioner Adina Vălean)

6 Mar 2024 · Cross-Border Enforcement Directive

Meeting with Jan Olbrycht (Member of the European Parliament)

9 Jan 2024 · Training for Women Deputy Mayors

Meeting with Themis Christophidou (Director-General Regional and Urban Policy)

12 Dec 2023 · Urban dimension of cohesion policy

Meeting with Andrey Novakov (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

6 Nov 2023 · Territorial Cohesion

Meeting with Magda Kopczynska (Director-General Mobility and Transport)

4 Oct 2023 · Introductory meeting

Response to Review report on the Governance Regulation of the Energy Union and Climate Action

31 Jul 2023

Since the first NECPs were submitted, the context has greatly changed in the EU, with a higher ambition on climate objectives but also increased urgency to tackle the energy, climate and cost of living crises. The review of the Governance Regulation is a key opportunity to support the implementation of the European Green Deal at the local level by reinforcing the governance mechanisms that underpin those policies. The European Commission should consider the following aspects: The review of the Energy Union Governance Regulation will be the occasion to update national targets to the increased headline target for 2030 and the sectoral targets for energy efficiency and renewables agreed as part of the Fit for 55 legislation. Moreover, although the NECPs only look towards 2030, they should detail how the actions and means are in line with the national long-term objectives of climate neutrality in 2050. A mechanism for a revision of the long-term strategies before 2029 should be introduced, to make them compatible with the 2040 milestone target that will be proposed in 2024. The current ways of working in most member states are inadequate in terms of ensuring that cities are included as partners for the development, implementation and management of the NECPs. The national dialogues based on art. 11 of the Governance Regulation are in some cases limited to ad-hoc and short consultations on draft plans. Going forward, the governance structures need to better match the actual role of cities in the energy transition. The multi-level consultation processes should be reinforced and fully implemented. It should lead to the establishment of dialogue platforms for a constructive, ongoing, and genuine multilevel dialogue on climate and energy at national level. When member states design their national energy and climate plans (NECPs), they should be required to integrate and report on commitments made by cities, such as sustainable energy action plans (SEAPs) for signatories of the Covenant of Mayors or the Climate City Contracts developed by Mission Cities. This would lead to an increased awareness of the local reality and future projection at EU and national level, and could lead to better policy integration across levels of government. The implementation plan should be strengthened for all NECPs. It should describe the timelines, actors involved and funding sources, and ideally link to the different funding streams and plans available for local authorities (social climate fund, RRF, etc.). Fossil fuel phase-out plans and measures should be made more prominent in the NECPs and long-term strategies. Climate Adaptation is currently just a chapter in member states long-term strategies, but this should be reinforced and the Regulation should encourage member states to plan their actions on mitigation and adaptation jointly when designing and updating the plans. Cities have a crucial role in implementing socially fair transition policies. It should be a requirement, not only an option, for all member states to set objectives for energy poverty reduction, including a timeframe for meeting the objectives. Consistency is necessary to implement the EU energy and climate targets in an efficient way. EU member states are entering into a planning process with the NECPs, REPowerEU chapters, the Social Climate Plans. However, the timelines of these different planning processes dont align. A more careful coordination in terms of timelines and processes will be key to ensure effective participation of the local level in the design and implementation of these plans. The complete Eurocities response to this call for evidence is in the document attached
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Meeting with Jan Olbrycht (Member of the European Parliament)

4 Jul 2023 · Eurocities new publication, future of urban policy

Meeting with Pascal Canfin (Member of the European Parliament)

11 Apr 2023 · Green Deal

Response to EU Talent Pool

13 Mar 2023

Cities are key stakeholders for the integration and social inclusion of migrants. As the context at the local level is shaped by policies at the EU and national level, cities should be involved in the design of regular migration channels to best meet long-term labour market needs and ensure sustainable integration outcomes at the local level. Integration policies need to be included from the start in the planning of legal migration pathways, so as to ensure that the best possible integration outcomes are achieved, for both the city and the individual. This also applies to the development and implementation of the EU Talent Pool. While the legal competence for enabling the immigration of skilled migrants is a shared between the EU and the national level, cities can play a considerable role in attracting people, providing initial landing support and laying the foundations for successful long-term integration. Further feedback is available in the attached document.
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Meeting with Jan Olbrycht (Member of the European Parliament)

28 Feb 2023 · Funding for cities

Eurocities Backs Stricter Air Standards but Demands Shared Responsibility

23 Feb 2023
Topic — Revision of EU air quality laws to align with World Health Organization recommendations.
Message — Eurocities requests a joint responsibility clause ensuring national and EU support for local air quality planning. They also urge stricter source-specific regulations for transport and agriculture to meet new limits.12
Why — Shared accountability prevents cities from carrying the entire burden of meeting strict pollution targets.34
Impact — The transport and agricultural sectors would face higher costs from mandatory emission reductions.5
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Response to European Interoperability Framework (EIF) evaluation and EU governments interoperability strategy

16 Jan 2023

Local authorities recognise the value of the interoperability of network and information systems as an important enabler of scaled advantages for better (digital) public services in Europe. The proposal by the Commission contains promising support measures in favour of improved cross-border interoperability. As enablers of local and regional ecosystems, cities foster open dialogues and collaboration among stakeholders and across levels of administrations. The perceived Interoperability Portal may further facilitate access to solutions, knowledge, and expertise to benefit local authorities, and allows them to coordinate development efforts, share solutions, and make available expertise for peer reviews. Additionally, the proposed innovation measures and framework for regulatory sandboxes provide new mechanisms and incentives for cities to drive collaboration with the private sector (and vice versa) and across borders for new and improved interoperable solutions. On the other hand, the proposal introduces several obligations with an unclear scope that have an impact on resources of city administrations. The efforts flowing from an obligation to execute interoperability assessments will require time, people, and expertise, creating a burden on public sector bodies. Cities develop and maintain digital solutions to support their services in a wide range of sectors, such as water and waste management, administration and social services. These solutions are often complex, developed over time by different parties and departments, according to changing requirements and contractual agreements. Also, they are referenced locally, regionally and/or nationally and there is limited visibility on what network and information systems local administrations (potentially) provide or manage to deliver or manage cross-border services. Likewise, the proposed obligation to share upon request interoperability solutions that support the digital public services of a public sector body, may put a disproportionate organisational strain on cities. Legacy solutions, procured systems with hybrid ownership and custom intellectual property provisions make for complex solutions, a fragmented field of operation and distributed responsibilities. The vague scope for this obligation (national, or cross-border) creates uncertainty about the number of requests that local administrations could expect. The additional requirement for the sharing entity to specify guarantees in terms of cooperation, support, and maintenance would create new organisational tasks that require additional financial and human resources, while an obligation for public sector bodies to train certain staff with appropriate training programmes concerning interoperability issues will have a direct impact on training priorities, budgets and availability of staff. Therefore, before introducing such obligations, the scope must be better defined and targeted impact assessments across levels of government are required to properly estimate and manage their impact. Also, it should explicitly include allocation of adequate (financial) support for local administrations to hire expertise and train staff, for example by coordination of existing funds through the Interoperable Europe Agenda and by (pre)defining specific policy implementation support projects. Finally, formal involvement of local administrations in the Interoperable Europe Board (IEB) is required to design and implement a strengthened EU interoperability governance that works on all levels. Even though the Communication by the Commission clearly states that the future IEB should include representatives from local authorities, the proposal does not consider them for its composition. Its a prerequisite to make sure that the EIF, Specialised Interoperability Frameworks and Interoperable Europe Solutions adequately consider local contexts as a building block for a high level of public sector interoperability across the Union.
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Meeting with Annukka Ojala (Cabinet of Commissioner Stella Kyriakides) and International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements EU Regional Group and

16 Dec 2022 · VTC Meeting: Sustainable Food Systems/Procurement

Meeting with Giulio Di Blasi (Cabinet of Commissioner Ylva Johansson)

2 Dec 2022 · Discussion about the needs of cities in the current situation with high numbers of arrivals of Ukrainians.

Meeting with Birgit Sippel (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and EUROPEAN TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION and

7 Nov 2022 · Migration

Meeting with Marcos Ros Sempere (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur for opinion)

25 Oct 2022 · CPR (construction materials)

Meeting with Alexandra Geese (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and Stichting Open Future and Max Planck Institute Foundation Luxemburg

13 Oct 2022 · Expert Exchange on the Data Act

Meeting with Ciarán Cuffe (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

10 Oct 2022 · New Urban Mobility Framework

Meeting with Agnes Jongerius (Member of the European Parliament)

4 Oct 2022 · Keynote at Conference: EU policy on mobile EU citizens

Response to Developing social economy framework conditions

30 Sept 2022

Eurocities welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Call for Evidence ‘Social economy – developing framework conditions’ launched by the European Commission in August 2022. Cities have a key role in developing ecosystems and engaging all actors to experiment with innovative financial tools such as crowdfunding, impact hubs, digital platforms and social impact bonds. Cities have nurtured the potential for the social economy to create fair and decent jobs and inclusive labour markets, encouraging bottom-up solutions, innovating with new business models, promoting community-driven social care and fostering social cohesion. Cities are actively supporting social entrepreneurship and building social economy ecosystem. Social economy enterprises are important stakeholders for the cities in their efforts to build an inclusive and resilient economic and social model.
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Meeting with Miapetra Kumpula-Natri (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

7 Sept 2022 · Data Act

Meeting with Claude Gruffat (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

30 Jun 2022 · CPR

Eurocities urges expanded mandatory data sharing for local public services

10 May 2022
Topic — New EU rules regulating how public authorities access and use data held by private companies.
Message — The organization calls for expanding data sharing beyond emergencies to include law enforcement and service development. They request clearer definitions of public interest that reflect local government responsibilities.12
Why — Cities would secure reliable access to urban data while avoiding repetitive fees for datasets.3
Impact — Private companies would lose the power to restrict access to their proprietary urban datasets.4
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Meeting with Karima Delli (Member of the European Parliament)

29 Mar 2022 · mobilité 0 carbone

Meeting with Marcos Ros Sempere (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

22 Mar 2022 · New European Bauhaus

Response to 2022 Strategic Foresight Report

17 Mar 2022

Evidence from European cities This submission includes examples from cities that illustrates how they use digital technologies to become more efficient, greener, and healthier places for people, while reducing CO2 emissions. An increased use of digital technologies is crucial to delivering more effective solutions and services in cities. The examples below show how new technologies and tools reinforce the green transformation, e.g. by underpinning environmental risk management, contributing to a more efficient waste reduction and management, supporting a targeted approach to building renovations, developing a better understanding of the air quality or strengthening urban development initiatives by taking into account how for example heath and wind will impact the city and its built environment in the future. Examples include (more details in the short note attached): - Nice Côte d'Azur: Thermal comfort simulation of the Nice Saint-Augustin multimodal hub - Genova: Public FLOOD Emergency and Awareness SERVice (FLOOD-serv) - Helsinki: Kalasatama Pilot Project and Energy and Climate Atlas - Rennes Metropole: 3DExperienCity, Virtual Rennes - Antwerp: UrbClim model (VITO) - Copenhagen and Dublin – partnership with Google for cleaner air - Helsinki and London – mobile monitoring of air quality - Stockholm: Artificial Intelligence for better buildings - Lisbon: Solar digital chart - Bratislava and Porto: Waste digitalisation In addition, we draw attention to similarly useful examples from the H2020 financed Smart City Lighthouse project, SharingCities, which also include assessments of various financial and regulatory aspects when deploying new technologies to improve environmental performance. Note in particular the following two booklets: - Retrofitting buildings: https://nws.eurocities.eu/MediaShell/media/2020_Booklets_Buildings_retrofit_public_owned_Final.pdf - Smart lampposts: https://nws.eurocities.eu/MediaShell/media/2020_Booklets_Lamppost_Final2.pdf The examples illustrate that the twin transition is real - it is already happening on the ground. However, an assessment of synergies and tension points resulting from the twin transition, the key technologies that will enable successful twinning and the role of non-technological factors in the twin transition (regulation, financing, behavioural changes, societal acceptance, and skills) will require further data collections, analysis and debates with local public authorities and their stakeholders.
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Meeting with Joan Canton (Cabinet of Commissioner Thierry Breton)

9 Mar 2022 · Euro7

Meeting with Jorge Pinto Antunes (Cabinet of Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski)

14 Feb 2022 · Long-term vision for rural areas

Response to Measures to reduce microplastic pollution

2 Dec 2021

Cities support the target in the Zero Pollution Action Plan aiming to reduce microplastics released into the environment by 30%. Microplastics are a growing issue for municipalities. On urban waste-water treatment for instance, it requires increasingly expensive treatments to prevent microplastics to be discharged in the environment. Even the most advanced plants can only prevent 80-90% of microplastics to be released in the environment. At least 10% are still discharged in the environment. It appears in sludges that need to be burnt as farmers don’t want to buy it anymore as it contains microplastics. One of the main challenges of microplastics is that the sources (mainly unintentionally released) are as diverse as the pathways (storm water, waste water, sludge, snow, sand, deposition). This means that measurements, both upstream and downstream, are varied and work across several different services in cities. It is vital to quantify and measure the pollution created by microplastics, and crucial to agree on a clear definition and transparent standards. Preventing pollution at-source is important for microplastics: conventional waste water treatment plants can efficiently remove up to 80-95% of microplastics, mostly in the preliminary and primary treatment steps. Requiring additional actions at end-of-pipe to tackle the remaining 10% would offer very limited benefits and come at a high cost. We encourage the European Commission to propose microplastics definitions, approved measuring and analytical methods as well as measures to prevent the release, unintentional or intentional, at source of microplastics in the upcoming Zero Pollution Action Plan. New Extended Producer Responsibility schemes should also be put forward when prevention at source is not possible.
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Meeting with Caroline Nagtegaal (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and Transport and Environment (European Federation for Transport and Environment) and

24 Nov 2021 · AFIR

Response to Social and labour aspects of the climate transition

19 Nov 2021

Any path to successfully implementing the European Green Deal must involve a territorial dimension and strong place based action.The Fit for 55 package proposal is a key opportunity to speed up decarbonisation of our economy,but its social dimension needs to be strengthened to increase societal acceptance and make sure that the most vulnerable are not disproportionally affected. Cities are key actors in localising important parts of the FF55 package through measures such as building/energy retrofits,renewable energy installations,district heating/cooling,low/zero emission zones and active mobility.Mainstreaming social equity into all these measures is a prerequisite for social cohesion and reduction of inequalities at local level;cities follow this approach by actively joining up climate, environmental,social and health policies,for ex by integrating social&employment aspects into local climate and energy strategies at the earliest stage. According to interim results of a Eurocities 2021 climate and energy transition survey,at present covering 50 larger European cities -62% of cities said they offer support to citizens for small-scale renewable installations; -Over half of cities (55%) provide renovation support for vulnerable households.Cities such as Florence, Vienna or Antwerp actively promote energy consulting and support schemes for citizens such as one-stop-shops for households and ecobonus schemes. -Some cities (16%) such as Grenoble,Zagreb,Ghent or Zaragoza offer direct debt relief from energy bills for vulnerable households. Cities play a critical role in locally sourced energy and ‘energy communities’ to step up energy independency,reduce emissions while combating energy poverty,contributing to the local economy and democratic decision making.For ex.the city of Prague is supporting its local energy community by subsidising solar panels and their installations for 20.000 residential building as part of the city’s overall climate plan. On transport,the most effective way to assist vulnerable transport users is to heavily subsidise public transport while at the same time offer purchase subsidies for electric/cargo bikes,and funding temporary rental schemes.While stricter CO2 standards for passenger cars and vans are vital to enhance road decarbonisation,investments in affordable public transport &related infrastructure are critical to connect core city with wider metropolitan areas while reducing car dependency and increasing access to low emission zones and green (&blue) spaces for all residents. Equitable access to environmental amenities such as water,waste,green spaces alongside social services of general interest are essential building blocks to effectively link up climate and social policies in line with EPSR Principle 20.Stable and predictable investments in such services are critical to solving the most pressing climate and health issues of our time.That is why cities are increasingly looking towards better proximity services,such as the 15-min city championed by French cities or the creation of ‘social superblocks’ supported by cities such as Barcelona. In light of the housing affordability crisis in all major European cities,energy-efficient,adequate and affordable housing is a precondition to accessing other essential services and requires more urgent attention from policymakers incl. through initiatives such as the Renovation Wave.The building sector, as the largest single energy consumer in Europe,has high potential for creating jobs,boosting the economy,and delivering on climate objectives.Doing this will require efforts to increase both the rate and depth of current energy renovations,along with adequate technical support and training delivered locally. Finally,learning from successful local experiments such as the 'zero long-term unemployed territories' model developed in France to cater for location-specific social and environmental needs,can support the broader goal of a fair transition in Europe.
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Meeting with Frans Timmermans (Executive Vice-President)

4 Nov 2021 · The European Green Deal: the role of cities in delivering the EU’s climate targets.

Response to Sustainable food system – setting up an EU framework

26 Oct 2021

Eurocities, the network of mayor European cities, supports Option 4, namely the creation of a new comprehensive framework legislation on the sustainability of the Union food. Such umbrella legislation would overcome the current fragmented set of EU and national legislations looking at food, taking a truly systemic approach towards change. The Covid-19 pandemic crisis has made us acutely aware of the interrelations between our health ecosystems, supply chains, consumption patterns and planetary boundaries and the need for high level ambitions and system change. Eurocities supports the set-up of an ambitious EU food policy, which, together with multilevel and cross-sector governance on food at EU and national level, is essential to enable the further development of urban food strategies in Europe. As European cities, we believe particular attention should be given to: • Support cities as the closest level of government to citizens and a creative space where food system innovation can be up scaled. A strong involvement of citizens in local, national and international food policy development is essential to balance out some of the power and influence imbalances that currently characterise our agri-food system. • Create minimum mandatory food procurement together with public buyers. Procurement is a key tool for cities to deliver on various objectives, from climate ambition to ensuring access to healthy food. Minimum mandatory food procurement criteria must be introduced, progressively, building on and aligned with national and regional food systems. Clarification on the rules related to local food procurement to support sustainable shorter food supply chains and the local and regional food economy is necessary. This will prevent public authorities from exploiting loopholes, risking legal action for potential infringement of common market rules, if they want to give preference to locally based suppliers and producers to support the regional food economy. • Support short supply chains for resilience. We need to make our food system more resilient in times of crisis. We can do so by recognising the role of local food production and by promoting short food supply chains. This includes encouraging agroecology solutions and urban and peri-urban food production, bringing consumers closer to producers and promoting a fair income for primary producers. It also includes supporting seasonal, more plant based and healthy diets. • Work across silos. We believe in the need to develop an integrated EU food policy strategy to ensure a joined-up approach across policy areas and levels of government, from the EU to the local level for a real multi-level governance system. • Support food innovation. Keep on financing EU funded projects that helps us improving our food governance with evidence-based policy. More information on these points are included in our policy statement ‘Cities – cooking up a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly EU food system’.
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Meeting with Camilla Bursi (Cabinet of Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius)

16 Sept 2021 · Zero Pollution Action Plan

Response to Requirements for Artificial Intelligence

27 Jul 2021

The Artificial Intelligence Act proposal is a crucial legislative initiative to create the conditions for a safe development and deployment of AI, based on European democratic values and in respect of people’s fundamental rights across Europe’s cities. AI is an enabler of change for local governments. City authorities recognise the great potential of AI technologies for public services development and delivery in sectors such as health, education and transportation. City authorities positively evaluate the clear set of horizontal mandatory requirements for trustworthy AI allowing for both more ethics-oriented and effective application of AI. However, AI adoption in cities is a long and costly process. Good data collection, processing, management and opening is expensive and requires specific, high-level competences as well as new governance approaches. A broader uptake of AI technology locally requires intensive financial investment from the national and EU level to ensure adequate technological and skills development in city administrations. Local governments are in favour of having an extensive definition of AI which encompasses any AI system that touches the single market allowing for a complete and effective regulation. Local governments positively evaluate the risk-approach taken in the artificial intelligence act and the position taken for some uses that are unacceptable and must be prohibited. City authorities also recognise the proposal has taken a significant step forward on facial recognition banning practices such as social credit and any other forms of social scoring. However, on large-scale surveillance in its provisions regarding real-time biometric recognition systems, an outright ban on mass biometric surveillance systems should be put in place until there is evidence that these systems are respectful of fundamental rights. Local governments positively value high-risk systems must comply with European health, safety, and environmental protection standards and stress the need for an inclusive and coordinated approach for the development of new common specifications that includes cities. For local governments citizens’ needs must be the starting point of the AI standardisation and common specification development process. City authorities are also in favour high-risk systems undergo conformity assessment however they consider the proposal allows a too wide scope for self-regulation by companies. The majority of requirements in the proposal rely on AI developers to implement technical solutions to complex social issues, which are likely self assessed by the companies themselves. For local governments, conformity with AI standards cannot be left in the hands of private companies providing AI technology. Therefore, for cities, the EU has to adequately invest in the appropriate, independent mechanisms to guarantee that all AI providers meet EU standards. Local authorities support the creation of a European Artificial Intelligence Board, chaired by the European Commission, to issue recommendations and opinions related to the implementation of the regulation as well as to collect and share best practices. Through experimentation and early adoption of AI, city governments identify possible safety and fundamental rights risks and provide opinions and key recommendations for a correct implementation of the EU rules. With their access to universities, companies and infrastructures, and acting as open participation and collaboration platforms, using and making data and information available are best place to collect and share good practices. Therefore, local governments should explicitly be involved as official stakeholders for consultation in the Board.
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Meeting with Valdis Dombrovskis (Executive Vice-President)

16 Jun 2021 · Meeting with European Mayors on Recovery and Resilience Facility and national recovery plans. Dialogue with cities and local authorities on economic recovery at EU and national level.

Meeting with Kim Van Sparrentak (Member of the European Parliament)

27 May 2021 · Social Affairs Eurocities

Meeting with Christoph Nerlich (Cabinet of Commissioner Nicolas Schmit), Fabien Dell (Cabinet of Commissioner Nicolas Schmit)

26 May 2021 · homelessness

Response to New EU urban mobility framework

25 May 2021

Eurocities shares the assessment of the European Commission regarding the continuous challenges posed by urban mobility, as expressed in the roadmap. Despite some improvements, the negative externalities of transport at urban level – mainly due to the heavy reliance on fossil-fuelled individual vehicles, the constant growth in transport demand and public space – continue to affect cities’ attractiveness. City authorities would like to stress that without further actions to promote modal shift by all relevant stakeholders at all governance level, the current situation will persist. The Urban Mobility Package has been a relevant tool to support better mobility planning, providing cities with the adequate tools to develop a more sustainable mobility in urban areas. City authorities praise the non-binding approach of this initiative, which allowed them to make the most of this tool while adapting its content to local realities. In view of the publication of the future urban mobility framework, Eurocities members call on the European Commission to integrate the following items (further developed in the document attached) : • Make modal shift a key priority by supporting research on behavioural aspects of mobility and systems governance • Make public transport the transport mode by default in European cities • Include an EU strategy for active mobility • Recognize public space as a valuable and limited resource • Support the development of national frameworks on urban mobility • Adopt a flexible approach on the allocation of funding conditional on the existence of SUMP • Draw the lessons from the impact of COVID crisis on urban transport • Better address social aspects of urban mobility • Facilitate mobility data collection by city authorities • Improve freight efficiency • Draw the links between urban mobility & sustainable future Please see the document attached for further details on these items.
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Meeting with Mirzha De Manuel (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis)

7 Apr 2021 · Exchange of views on implementation of RRF and potential participation of EVP at the meeting with Eurocities

Meeting with Santina Bertulessi (Cabinet of Commissioner Nicolas Schmit)

24 Mar 2021 · Follow-up meeting (Eurocities event)

Response to Revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 2010/31/EU

22 Mar 2021

We support the third option for the revision and call on the Commission to consider the following: Minimum energy performance requirements (MEPRs) must be accompanied by appropriate financial incentives and support to both owners and occupants. Introducing MEPRs requires mobilising funding, finance and technical support targeting cities, as well as supportive measures for building owners and occupants. Renovation costs cannot always be refinanced with energy efficiency improvements, but the burden for home owners and/or tenants must be mitigated and this also for buildings that have already a good energy efficiency performance. Also, requirements for energy audits and declarations need to be streamlined to reduce red tape. Expand Energy Certificates to become Building Passports, providing owners with a renovation pathway to zero energy buildings. They must be reliable and consistent across member states. Building Passports can inform of the benefits of energy improvements and help develop a staged approach to renovation and pathways to zero energy buildings. It will help set the ambition of a specific project, identify technical no-regrets decisions and investments. It can also inform contractors about the use of energy efficient appliances and circularity of materials. Sharing information on emissions related to construction and renovation work, to drive the sector towards low emissions solutions in line with whole life carbon thinking, could also be useful. Consider local realities when developing standards and guidelines for deep renovations. Renovations need to be done to a high standard to avoid performance gaps that will make the targets harder to reach. Cities need to have the flexibility, especially in deep energy renovation, to take the approach that suits the local market, the information and financial support available. A deep renovations standard, if accompanied by adequate support and information, including technical assistance and training, could help reduce emissions, but it needs to consider local realities. Adopt an ambitious approach towards reducing whole life carbon in buildings. To reach climate neutrality we need the right framework in place to reduce emissions both from the energy use within our buildings, and from the way we build, use and reuse materials. The new policy framework for Renovation and Circular Economy is an opportunity to increase renovation rates, improve quality and circularity of materials, and trigger sustainable investments across the whole value chain. Support innovative practices e.g. in public procurement. Cities are piloting low carbon construction materials and zero emission construction sites, for example in the Big Buyers Initiative. Such pilots could be a blueprint for a zero-carbon building sector powered by zero-emission heavy duty vehicles and construction sites, with financial support to build and renovate Ensure synergies with the Renewable Energy Directive and the Smart and Sustainable Mobility Strategy. Buildings must be considered also for their potential to improve renewable energy capacity. The transition to zero-emission mobility will require buildings to be ready with charging infrastructures for electric vehicles in a way that is cost-effective and fits local needs. Strengthen the participatory mechanisms in long-term renovation strategies. The Directive requires member states to develop long-term renovation strategies but there is no requirement for cities to be involved in the drafting of the plans, nor to include local actions plans or investments. The revision must consider an obligation for member states to consult local governments and to establish multi-level dialogues. The revision must help cities to meet both climate and social cohesion goals at the same time. It must set a path for just transition, including tackling energy poverty for tenants, owners, and affordable housing providers. More info on Eurocities position in the attached paper.
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Meeting with Iratxe García Pérez (Member of the European Parliament)

22 Feb 2021 · Porto Social Summit

Meeting with Mary Veronica Tovsak Pleterski (Cabinet of President Ursula von der Leyen)

21 Feb 2021 · Meeting with EUROCITIES Secretary General

Meeting with Santina Bertulessi (Cabinet of Commissioner Nicolas Schmit)

18 Feb 2021 · Eurocities online event 'Growing up and out of poverty: Lessons from cities for the EU Child Guarantee'

Response to Legislative framework for the governance of common European data spaces

3 Feb 2021

The Data Governance Act proposal is a key legislative initiative to promote the availability of data for re-use, increase trust in intermediaries, and strengthen data exchange mechanisms across EU cities. Local governments recognise citizen data as a public asset that should be accessible, shareable, and used to create value for citizens. We encourage the re-use and sharing of data collected in public spaces, however, safeguards, such as anonymisation and synthetic data, must be put in place to avoid the risk of individuals or profiles being identified through use of new data analysis technologies. Local governments have both the responsibility to ensure citizens can manage their data as well as to influence how it is collected and used. The non-binding provision for public sector bodies to impose an obligation to re-use only pre-processed data - where such pre-processing entails eg. anonymisation or pseudonymisation of personal data - should be mandatory to safeguard citizens’ digital rights. City governments encourage efforts to create a notification regime for data sharing providers to support certification or labelling for trusted intermediaries. Public sector bodies allowing the re-use of data must be technically equipped to guarantee that data protection, privacy and transparency are fully preserved. City authorities outline a key challenge related to the limited access to data owned by private companies. Businesses do not allow full access and use of data preventing the effective re-use of data in and across cities in Europe. Cities often lack resources to engage in negotiations with businesses for data access. To ensure this, the availability of data should be managed in high level contracts with sector parties through legislation for which the current proposal does not provide. The proposal lays down conditions for the re-use of certain categories of data held by public sector bodies without addressing data held by private entities. Local governments support the objective to make data available for altruistic purposes. However, the proposal for regulation lacks a clear and structured definition of data altruism, which is needed to understand the social and economic impact on cities. This definition should also apply to businesses and other private parties as holders of valuable data for the common good, facilitating the access and use of data by public administrations. City authorities agree with the common European data altruism consent form that will be developed to lower the costs of collecting consent and to facilitate portability of the data. However, there is no mention of security, technical requirements, or privacy standards assured and it is not clear how withdrawal of consent will be managed. Specifications on safety and privacy controls as well as evidence of activities aimed at fostering trust and citizens empowerment must be defined and included as part of the forms. Local authorities support the establishment of the European Innovation Board that highlights the importance of data-driven innovation in EU policy and promotes consistent data sharing policies. To be even more effective, the Board needs to recognise cities as local connectors particularly involved in providing the connection between quadruple helix ecosystems and public and private data silos. Therefore, it should explicitly involve cities as members or as official stakeholders for consultation facilitating the development of good practices and policies that support public sector bodies.
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Meeting with Florika Fink-Hooijer (Director-General Environment)

20 Jan 2021 · a general meeting on environmental topics

Meeting with Annukka Ojala (Cabinet of Commissioner Stella Kyriakides) and European Environmental Bureau and

20 Jan 2021 · VC Meeting - Discussion on minimum sustainability criteria for public procurement.

Response to Revision of EU Ambient Air Quality legislation

14 Jan 2021

EU legislation has been working as a driving force for better air quality in Europe. However, and despite improvements, with many EU member states undergoing infringement procedures, the lack of enforcement and stringent standards are undermining local efforts taken by cities. We welcome that one of the three issues addressed by the roadmap is to better support local authorities through strengthening air quality monitoring, modelling and plans, and we recommend the following points to be considered in the revision: - The EU air quality standards allow higher air pollutant concentrations than what is suggested by scientific advice, and alignment with the revised WHO guidelines will be key. This should also involve including pollutants for which there is increasing evidence of harm to human health, for example the option of setting a standard for black carbon or ultra-fine particles. As a minimum, monitoring of these pollutants should be mandatory at a certain number of sites representative for hot spots, urban and regional background conditions, inter alia to help improve the assessment of associated health risks. - We support the inclusion in the directives of an explicit mechanism for adjusting air quality standards every 5 years to technical and scientific progress, including for the inclusion of air pollutants that are presently not covered. - Especially for particulate matter, the current focus of the AAQD to protect those living in local pollution hot spots should be supplemented by an exposure-oriented approach aimed at reducing the large-scale PM background concentrations and the general exposure of the urban population. In order to achieve that, the current national exposure reduction target should become legally binding, underpinned by a mandatory development of a national action plan with the requisite measures to support the local air quality plans and compliance with the AQS. - We suggest the Commission takes into account the possible effects of introducing a regional exposure reduction objective in its impact assessment. A possible regional exposure target would need to be closely aligned and supported by delegation of powers and funds to the competent authority. This could trigger additional measures to reduce the general exposure of populations living in urban agglomerations, but only if cities have the competences and the appropriate funding to take action. Moreover, a systematic dialogue and coordination mechanism is needed between national governments and regional/local authorities in charge of urban air quality management. - Improving the legislative framework, including the provisions on penalties, is a welcome initiative. Active enforcement of EU legislation is a necessity. However, we strongly oppose member states being able to pass down legal fines for non-compliance to cities, in the absence of supporting national measures. - The provision on the siting of AQ monitoring stations and the application of models need an overhaul to ensure a more harmonised assessment of the air quality and of the compliance with the AQ standards, taking into account the technological progress in monitoring and modelling. - In the options for a stronger harmonisation of public information, including on what kind of information is made available to the public, the information and reporting chapter of the directive should reflect the increasing demand by civil society for more air quality information, and to include air quality maps and data collected by cities and citizens through applications. It should be considered to require the public to be consulted already in the drafting phase of an air quality plan. Given the major role cities play in implementing the AQD, notably on air quality assessment, on the design and implementation of air quality plans, and on information to the public about air quality, we recommend to the Commission to consult and to tap on cities’ expertise for the drafting of the new AAQD.
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Response to Revision of the Intelligent Transport Systems Directive

19 Nov 2020

Eurocities welcomes the proposal for a revision of the Directive on intelligent transport systems (ITS). ITS are an important tool for tackling congestion in cities, promoting integration and intermodality, improving and encouraging use of public transport and increasing safety. An update of the legislation is necessary to address these challenges and support the contribution that the ITS Directive can make towards the European Green Deal and making Europe fit for a digital age. The inception impact assessment correctly identifies problems that should be addressed. We would however encourage the impact assessment to consider the following aspects: In relation to interoperability and continuity, replicability of local solutions is a key challenge for city authorities. A lack of interoperability can increase development costs at the local level, beyond what could be achieved if costs are shared on a larger scale. As most ITS projects operate in silos, there are limits on the broader effectiveness of projects without further progress in this area. In addressing a lack of cooperation among actors, the scope should include effective cooperation among business in addition to cooperation between Member States. Innovative solutions offered by SMEs can face challenges in scaling to sufficient market size. A focus should be on advancing ITS that address climate and environmental concerns, enhancing cooperation in the optimisation of infrastructure use. On a lack of data sharing, a focus should be placed on how to ensure the sufficient quantity, trustworthiness, quality and availability of data and evaluate common frameworks for local governance of data. An important aspect to consider is the management of personal data and commercially sensitive data. We encourage the clarification of the relationship between the ITS Directive and related horizontal data management legislation, such as the General Data Protection Regulation, European Interoperability Framework Directive. Another important dimension is the participation of citizens and how engagement can advance knowledge of travel behaviour, for the improvement of mobility management in urban areas. Many existing tools can allow for a real-time overview of mobility, enhancing planning by city authorities and transport operators. In relation to likely economic costs, the impact assessment should consider the additional costs for city authorities that would arise from increased obligations. If greater obligations are expected of city authorities, financial support should be available to implement new solutions or supply relevant data. We encourage the evidence base to include the gathering of evidence on the greenhouse gas, road safety and modal shift effectiveness of measures. At present, evidence in this domain remains limited. Given the socio-economic impact of information society services on cities, the consultation strategy should explicitly recognise city authorities as concerned stakeholders and involve representatives in any potential targeted consultations.
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Meeting with Estelle Goeger (Cabinet of Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni)

19 Nov 2020 · State of play and exchange of views on Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).

Meeting with Maroš Šefčovič (Executive Vice-President)

4 Nov 2020 · Maroš Šefčovič participates online at the Eurocities' annual conference in order to launch a foresight partnership with cities.

Eurocities Calls for Legally Binding EU Noise Reduction Targets

28 Oct 2020
Topic — The EU Action Plan seeking to eliminate air, water, and soil pollution.
Message — The organization calls for legally binding noise reduction targets of -3dB by 2032 and stricter air quality limits. They also demand EU-level standards for sectors like agriculture and shipping to support local efforts.123
Why — Cities would gain better health outcomes and stronger legal backing to regulate pollution sources.45
Impact — Vehicle manufacturers and transport sectors face higher costs from stricter emission and noise standards.67
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Meeting with Filip Alexandru Negreanu Arboreanu (Cabinet of Commissioner Adina Vălean)

19 Oct 2020 · Mobility Forum Digital Conference

Meeting with Nora Bednarski (Cabinet of Commissioner Helena Dalli)

13 Oct 2020 · Consultation in the context of the upcoming Disability rights Strategy

Meeting with Pascal Canfin (Member of the European Parliament)

30 Sept 2020 · Renovation wave

Meeting with Filomena Chirico (Cabinet of Commissioner Thierry Breton)

28 Sept 2020 · Short term rental and platforms regulation

Response to Revision of the Renewable Energy Directive (EU) 2018/2001

21 Sept 2020

Eurocities calls for the EU 2030 emission reduction target to be revised upwards to at least 55% for 2030, and to be binding at member state level to ensure full commitment. We also call for the European Commission to strengthen direct collaboration with and support for leading cities that can show Europe the way to climate neutrality by aiming for an even higher reduction target of 65% by 2030. To decarbonise Europe’s electricity production through renewables and contribute to the EU 2030 and climate neutrality objectives, the inception impact assessment on the Directive (EU) 2018/2001 will need to look at the following aspects: •Ambitious, long-term and intermediate targets at member states level will provide more long-term investment stability also for the local level. The assessments of the final NECPs of each member states will need to look carefully to the contribution of cities to the renewable energy target, as strong collaboration between EU, national and local actors will be decisive. •The increased focus on consumer empowerment and guarantees of origin in the current directive is positive, helps local renewable energy generation, and should be reinforced. Local projects can trigger a series of social benefits ranging from education and awareness raising through citizen participation, for example in energy communities, and to alleviating energy poverty through self-consumption and decentralised production. •Increasing the targets for renewable energies has the potential to trigger investments and innovation, but it will also require reliable incentives for sustainable energy in the mid and long term, and reinforce schemes at all levels to facilitate collective investment and installations for low-carbon energy production, such as solar panels or thermal energy in the built environment. •Cost effective deployment of renewable energy installations should be made possible in all climate zones across the EU. Investments should be made attractive with a combination of regulation, financial instruments, and targeted technical assistance and communication, allowing citizens to benefit from the investments made locally. •EU climate and energy policies need to be coherent with transport legislation. A better framework for production and consumption of renewable energy is key to also accelerate decarbonisation of the transport. Cities have deployed recharging and refuelling points to achieve climate and air quality goals, as part of sustainable urban mobility strategies. •The inception impact assessment should also fully take into account impacts on air pollution, health, biodiversity and noise, including when setting standards for new renewable technologies. •Renewable fuelled district heating combined with electricity production should be more and more encouraged along with the conversion of existing heat systems into advanced sustainable sourced systems. Support at EU and national level will need to be directed to implement local projects. District heating and cooling systems are local, and therefore authorities should have the flexibility to evaluate, on a case-by-case basis, the best outcome in each situation and how it fits the local context. •Energy transitions can benefit greatly from new technologies that make it possible to produce, store and distribute energy differently, but also to better understand and reduce its use. To increase ambition, we should learn from innovative projects implemented for example through H2020 funding for smart cities, and from those cities aiming at 100% renewable energies through the introduction of smart energy systems. Changing user behaviour in using those systems is equally key. •As European cities become more denser to prevent urban sprawl, provide efficient mobility solutions and decarbonise their energy systems, it will be key to support new innovations to develop renewable solutions that are integrated within the built environment. See the complete feedback attached
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Response to Requirements for Artificial Intelligence

10 Sept 2020

EUROCITIES welcomes the Inception Impact Assessment (IIA) on a proposal for a legal act laying down requirements for Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI is an enabler of change for local governments and is already transforming the governance of cities and society. As the level of governance closest to people, with increasing populations, access to talent and skills, universities, companies and infrastructures, local governments are crucial to fostering an ecosystem of excellence and trust in AI in Europe. The problems described in the IIA correctly outline several key challenges related to ethical and legal application of AI. The lack of transparency for effective enforcement of existing law and liability compensations, a legislative void and the unavailability of tools for intervention present challenges for businesses, citizens and authorities alike. Missing requirements for preventing and/or mitigating negative outcomes of AI tools cause a lack of trust for embracing AI, slowing down its deployment. In its problem analysis, the IIA should also note that AI Adoption in cities is a long and costly process, which requires specific, high-level competences as well as new governance approaches. Moreover, the rapid exponential technological progress in AI will have a disruptive effect on the job market and creates the need in cities for skills development among its citizens. We support and underline the overarching objectives set out in the IIA for effective enforcement mechanisms to protect safety and fundamental rights. Emphasis should be put on the need to facilitate rights-based public services and the protection of European fundamental values. Building an ecosystem of excellence and trust is an important condition for a broad and swift uptake of AI, a condition for which local governments are crucial. Indeed, relevant documentation is needed for the purpose of private and public enforcement of EU rules. We add to that the need for documentation that is available and understandable for citizens. Everyone should have access to clear and accurate information about the technological, algorithmic and artificial intelligence systems that impact their lives, and the ability to question and change unfair, biased or discriminatory systems. The impact assessment should focus on those policy options that would achieve the overarching objectives. Emphasising the importance of safety and fundamental rights, voluntary schemes provided for and maintained by industry would not suffice. An assessment of a legislative instrument establishing mandatory requirements for AI, taking into consideration the possibility of addressing specific categories of (high-risk) AI applications would be a positive step. To ensure compliance with these requirements, a central EU body or agency should develop necessary verification and validation procedures to guarantee safe and ethical AI, protecting citizens’ fundamental rights. More detailed descriptions of possible high-risk use cases are needed to clearly understand effects on local public administrations. We encourage combining funding, capacities, competences and mechanisms to realise the competences for adopting AI, emphasising local governments as crucial capacities to fostering an ecosystem of excellence and trust in AI in Europe. The assessment of expected impacts should include the social and economic impacts for cities in the areas outlined under likely economic impacts (i.e. costs for public institutions to comply with mechanisms). Local authorities engage with citizens, understand their fears and concerns and provide collaborative platforms for citizens, businesses and academia to develop solutions together. The EU must work with local governments in the development of a future regulatory framework for trustworthy AI to incentivize its use. Therefore, the consultation strategy should recognise city authorities as stakeholders and involve representatives in any targeted consultations.
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Response to Assessment and management of environmental noise

28 Aug 2020

EUROCITIES welcomes this revision to the calculation method for environmental noise. It should address the following key points. • ensure noise pollution is calculated for all roads in agglomerations The END requires member states to report data in agglomerations in relation to the population exposed to noise and ‘major roads’ with more than 3 million vehicle passages a year. However, it seems data for minor roads in agglomerations is sometimes lacking. In this revision, the Commission must clarify that mapping applies to all roads. If only a subset of roads is mapped, we risk both underestimating population exposure to noise pollution and developing non-comparable datasets between countries as different types of roads are mapped. This must be addressed. • differentiate population exposure between adults and children Current calculations for population exposure to noise pollution include one overall figure without giving details of how many adults or children are exposed. However, health impacts of noise exposure differ between adults and children as shown in the latest WHO guidelines on noise . In order to be able to compare datasets for population exposure to the corresponding health impacts, we must revise the END annex to provide this differentiated information. • provide guidance for the interpretation of data resulting from different noise-calculating methods It is of the upmost importance that all changes to the noise-calculating methods are accompanied by guidance for interpreting the resultant differing data sets. In 2015, an update to the END Annex II was published requiring all member states to use ‘Common NOise aSSessment methOdS in the EU’ (CNOSSOS-EU) from 31 December 2018 onwards . The new methodology ensures that noise in each member state is measured in a harmonised way, providing a consistent and comparable picture of the acoustic situation in the EU. However, it means data gathered using this new method is not directly comparable with data gathered under the old methodology. It is vital, therefore, that clear analysis and guidelines are produced to ensure correct interpretation of the data resulting from past and future changing methods of calculation, including methods for estimating population exposure to noise. Without such guidance, we risk losing the link between these datasets and delaying further our full understanding of the health implications of noise pollution across Europe. Moreover, we will not be able to compare those datasets between 2012 and 2032, necessary for the monitoring of our proposed noise reduction target above. As the second biggest environmental disease burden in Europe, the European Commission must take swift action to reduce the growing public health crisis that is noise pollution. In addition to revising the noise calculating methods, the European Commission should lower the reporting threshold. The WHO states that noise is harmful at lower levels than previously thought and recommends that for road traffic we reduce noise pollution levels to 53dB during the daytime (Lden) and 45dB during the night (Lnight). However, the END currently sets mandatory reporting for noise exposure at 55dB Lden and 50dB Lnight and above, with reporting submitted in bands of 5dB. New lower reporting bands should be established starting from 50dB Lden and 45dB Lnight. Beyond this, we need a coherent European action plan that focuses on prevention, rather than mitigation, of noise pollution. The upcoming Eighth Environment Action Programme should make this a priority and detail plans as part of the Zero Pollution Strategy. With more than 7 out of 10 Europeans living in cities and as hubs for road, rail, ports and air transport, cities play a key role in reducing exposure to noise pollution. EUROCITIES is finalising a noise policy paper which we will publish in September; we are keen to work further on this issue with the European Commission for the health and wellbeing of citizens.
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Response to Legislative framework for the governance of common European data spaces

31 Jul 2020

EUROCITIES welcomes the initiative for a legislative framework for the governance of common European data spaces. Common data spaces can pave the way for local authorities’ improved policy making, innovation and the provision of better services to citizens. The Inception Impact Assessment (IIA) describes several challenges related to large-scale public and private data sharing. Cities are innovation ecosystems and bring together governments, researchers, businesses, and citizens. Access to data is crucial to leverage the full potential of such ecosystems. City authorities draw attention to the often limited access to a huge amount of data generated by machines, products and services currently gathered and owned by private companies. Vendor lock-in practices hamper the development of innovative ecosystems and cause interoperability issues that prevent efficient (re)-use of data in and across cities in Europe. Business models do not allow full access and use of data, preventing local companies, academics, governments and citizens from participating in and benefitting from socially responsible innovation. We endorse the objective to make more data usable for the common good, in compliance with EU data protection rules where individuals or companies consent or agree to do so. Data generated by citizens should be recognized as a valuable public asset while preserving and reinforcing citizens’ rights on them, according to shared guidelines such as EUROCITIES principles on citizen data. In line with this objective, the commodification of personal data calls for goals on fair, safe and responsible data sharing mechanisms to manage the value flowing from it. Enhancing data use in society by lowering transaction costs resulting from technical and legal barriers is of great importance. At the same time, increased use of data brings additional risks. Data driven development of (automated) decision-making tools and training of AI calls for explicit objectives and policy to ensure the quality, transparency and accountability of (prod)used data within common data spaces. Policy solutions to ensure the access to and re-use of data collected in the public sphere and managed by private companies are crucial and should be regulated at EU level. In case of data sharing agreements, joint action between public authorities should be facilitated to ensure wide and equal accessibility to create shared benefits. Efforts to create licenses for personal data sharing schemes are encouraged. We welcome policy to share and formalise best practices for obligations to offer support services to researchers and business innovators. We advise the Commission to explicitly include public authorities for such support. Funding and ethical and technical training on data storage, processing and sharing will help to achieve wider implementation and ensure transparent, secure and ethical use and sharing of data. Recognizing that materializing common data spaces is a novel exercise, instead of rigid law, a flexible regime allowing development in line with maturing common data spaces would be preferred. We support the establishment of a European coordination body that should work closely with other standard-setting organisations to widen and, where applicable, promote existing standards and deliver new ones. We encourage the commission to seek evidence on the impact and risks related to citizens' digital rights beyond existing data protection legislation and to investigate innovative personal data management solutions to support sustainable data altruism mechanisms for individuals. Considering the important role of cities as local stewards in data spaces and close representatives of citizen’s interests, the consultation strategy should explicitly recognize city authorities as relevant stakeholders and involve representatives in any potential targeted consultations.
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Response to Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy

28 Jul 2020

EUROCITIES welcomes the proposal for a Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy (SSMS). The Roadmap rightly identifies climate change, air pollution, noise pollution and habitat damage as key problems to be addressed by the SSMS. Transport is a significant cause of climate change, as well as a key determinant of air pollution related deaths and negative health impacts from noise pollution in cities. In addition to pressing environmental challenges, we welcome the identification of cross-border connectivity, affordability, accessibility, and service quality of transport as problems to be addressed. The Roadmap does not mention congestion as a problem to be tackled, despite the recent Commission study noting that external costs amount to 271bn EUR per annum. Road safety is not clearly identified as a problem and the European Commission’s ‘Vision Zero’ strategy for no deaths or serious injuries on European roads by 2050 is not present. 25,000 people lose their lives each year on European roads and a further 135,000 are seriously injured. Nearly 40% of these fatalities occur in urban areas and most involve vulnerable road users – pedestrians, cyclists, micro-mobility users and motorcyclists. The potential socio-economic and efficiency benefits of digitalisation, automation and the collaborative economy are significant, but the Roadmap should be explicit in relation to challenges in ensuring outcomes are aligned with public policy goals. The accompanying analysis should consider the significant impact of the COVID-19 public health crisis on cities and public transportation authorities and the opportunities to remake urban mobility and as sustainable and inclusive for all citizens with targeted and ambitious measures. The aims foreseen under the SSME policy framework are ambitious and appropriate for several challenges faced by cities. In particular, we welcome an ambitious agenda for sustainable urban mobility and action on sustainable modal shift, among others. We look forward to collaborating with the European Commission on defining an ambitious package of measures in this area. We encourage the explicit inclusion of high-level aims foreseen in the European Green Deal, including: ‘increase the capacity of rail and inland waterways’, ‘price of transport must reflect the impact it has on the environment and health’, ‘support new sustainable mobility services that can reduce congestion and pollution in urban areas’, ‘address emissions, urban congestion, and improved public transport’ and, ‘ensure a clear pathway from 2025 onward towards zero-emission mobility’. A standalone aim should however be established for road safety that addresses all transport modes. Road safety should not be addressed as a sub-issue of opportunities for digitalisation and automation, as challenges relate to broad areas of vehicles, infrastructure, speed, and behaviour. Sustainable modal shift should be defined as broadly as possible across modes, with measures designed as appropriate for long-distance, inter-urban and urban mobility. The value of active modes and public transport, alongside a recognition of cities as the first and last mile destination for passengers and freight would be welcome in this context. Given the socio-economic and environmental impact of the SSMS on cities, the Roadmap should recognise local authorities as key stakeholders and include city authorities in targeted consultations. Further information on our views can be found in the attached policy paper ‘A path to sustainable urban mobility.
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Response to Digital Services Act package: ex ante regulatory instrument of very large online platforms acting as gatekeepers

30 Jun 2020

EUROCITIES welcomes the proposal for an ex-ante regulatory instrument for large online platforms. The problem description correctly outlines several key challenges in relation to online platforms with significant network effects. Cities are innovation ecosystems and bring together governments, researchers, businesses, and citizens to drive digital transformation at the local level and across the EU. The upscaling of local solutions can often be impeded by online platforms with significant network effects, which obstruct the development of socially responsible innovation. The IIA should, however, note that there is a lack of access to data collected in public spaces and that public authorities are increasingly dependent on a limited number of platforms, as are traditional businesses. We support the overarching objectives set out in the inception impact assessment (IIA) to encourage innovation potential and ensure that online platforms are open, fair, predictable , accessible and increase social gain. Without obligations levied on online platforms with significant network effects, we expect negative impacts on the development and upscaling of innovative digital solutions for the benefit of the public. The impact assessment should focus on those policy options that would achieve the overarching objectives. An assessment of empowering regulators to collect information from online platforms that act as gatekeepers, in combination with an assessment for a dedicated regulatory body at the EU-level, would be a positive step. To ensure compliance with provisions of the DSA, competent regulatory authorities should have access to relevant information from online platforms and oversight on areas such as market concentration. However, an emphasis should be placed on the assessment of instruments that would ensure online platforms are open, fair, accessible and increase social gain. We therefore support the assessment of ‘tailor-made’ options for data access obligations in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), data portability and interoperability requirements for online platforms. The assessment of expected impacts should include the potential social and economic impacts in cities in the areas outlined under likely environmental impacts (i.e. tourism, sales of goods and transport). Online platforms exert a significant influence within these sectors and the role of EU legislation in these areas should be included within the impact assessment. Given the socio-economic impact of online platforms on cities and their relevant regulatory competencies, the consultation strategy should explicitly recognise city authorities as concerned stakeholders and involve representatives in any potential targeted consultations.
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Response to Digital Services Act: deepening the Internal Market and clarifying responsibilities for digital services

30 Jun 2020

EUROCITIES welcomes the Digital Services Act (DSA) proposal. Information society services are the engine of the collaborative economy. However, despite potential for positive economic impact these services exert a strong, and sometimes challenging, influence on cities. The DSA is an opportunity to address the issues that have arisen since the adoption of the e-Commerce Directive. The inception impact assessment (IIA) describes a limited number of the problems faced by city authorities from information society services. The IIA recognises that existing cross-border mechanisms are inadequate to address current challenges, including a lack of oversight and no legally binding cooperation mechanism between Member States. The problem description, however, focuses on illegal goods and content rather than services that do not comply with applicable regulations. This should be addressed as a priority to ensure the enforcement of applicable local rules, health and safety regulations, taxation, and levies, especially in areas such as affordable housing and management of urban mobility. The assessed policy options should be broadened to adequately address the challenges of city authorities. Foremost, the impact assessment (IA) should assess strengthening liability provisions for information society service providers and on the removal of illegal services and products from online marketplace s. Moreover, the IA should explicitly address obligations for information society services to provide information to competent authorities in the country of destination, in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This should be undertaken with the objective that city authorities have sufficient information to fulfil tasks that relate to the provision of public services and enforcement of applicable regulations. In addition, an assessment of algorithmic systems for AI-driven services should be made with respect to principles of non-discrimination and fairness, while addressing privacy and security. Other assessed policy options should include: the development of criteria to distinguish the applicability of provisions by type of service and relevance of information society service; automated checks of illegal products and services on online market places ; additional areas for deviation from the Country of Origin principle, such as the protection of public interest and the provision of public services and; the effectiveness of a European agency to secure the enforcement of the DSA. The preliminary assessment of expected impacts makes no reference to the socio-economic impacts that could be achieved through the ability of public authorities to regulate effectively, apply taxes and levies, and improve the provision of public services. While a reference has been made to the environmental impact of tourism, we encourage a link to be made between the outlined policy options and the social and economic impact on urban areas. Similarly, the evidence base should be broadened from a focus on illegal content and goods. We encourage the Commission to seek evidence on the impact of provisions of public services, such as in the areas of short-term holiday rental on the provision of affordable housing. Given the socio-economic impact of information society services on cities, the consultation strategy should explicitly recognise city authorities as concerned stakeholders and involve representatives in any potential targeted consultations.
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Meeting with Elisa Ferreira (Commissioner)

23 Jun 2020 · Current Covid-19 outbreak and related consequences

Meeting with Nicolas Schmit (Commissioner) and

12 Jun 2020 · Videoconference on the effect of the crisis on the most vulnerables, the important role of cities in the crisis and the recovery.

Meeting with Paolo Gentiloni (Commissioner)

12 Jun 2020 · Covid-19 crisis and impacts, bottom-ups solutions

Meeting with Frans Timmermans (Executive Vice-President)

12 Jun 2020 · European Green Deal and the Green Recovery

Response to Commission Communication – "Renovation wave" initiative for the building sector

7 Jun 2020

To increase renovation rates in European cities the new initiative must: Support local objectives and district-level renovation approaches that consider existing infrastructure and potential, enabling integration of policies at district and community level for renewable energy, heating and cooling systems, improve resilience by thermal comfort, and exploit the potential of digitalisation and AI; Address barriers to renovation for all type of buildings and tenures, including in the hard-to-renovate buildings and ownership structures, and social housing. These include rented or multi-owner properties, social housing, condominiums and apartment buildings, historical, and buildings owned/occupied by SMEs, and the worst performing buildings; Deploy appropriate financing for the decarbonisation of the building stock. Building retrofits involve significant up-front costs, long payback periods, and in some cases split incentives. This initiative should mobilise existing tools and allow for bundling different funding sources, minimising administrative burdens. To achieve scale, it needs to bring together private financiers, member states and cities to design finance packages for retrofit schemes. It should also increase technical assistance available to cities to build the expertise needed for project development. Public subsidies must be combined with measures to prevent capitalization; Establish a European Renovation Fund managed at EU level with fast-tracked project approval processes. The EU should also provide direct subsidies for energy renovation and create opportunities for low-interest loans, and ease access to EIB financing for social and affordable housing providers; Support renovation of public housing and vulnerable groups, to avoid negative impacts on low income or energy poor households and make the European energy transition just and fair, also taking into account the gender dimension. Renovation of rented homes should aim for improvements that do not threaten security of tenure and include direct subsidies to fight energy poverty for vulnerable homeowners. A co-creation process with tenants can help make sure that renovation costs are balanced by energy savings and don’t become a burden for residents; Support the integration of (smart) energy managements systems in deep energy retrofits, which can enable higher energy savings and reduce emissions from historical buildings where fabric improvements are limited. Deep renovations should also promote integrated renewables, efficient renewable heating and cooling systems, sustainable waste management, green mobility solutions, thermal energy storage and circularity principles. Several cities have developed demonstration projects (i.e. through H2020 for smart cities), but financial support is needed to replicate; Ensure that member states are implementing supportive regulatory regimes to scale up building renovation and support local authorities. This may include improved transposition and enforcement of EPBD requirements, addressing existing state aid barriers, national building decarbonisation trajectories, minimum energy efficiency standards and support to set up integrated local development plans and affordable housing schemes; Support the development of local/regional coordination services for building retrofit that would help building owners with audits, technical and financial advice, coordinate funding schemes and private financing, supply chain development and skills, and energy behaviour advice to occupants after renovation. The Renovation Wave should support participatory approaches where cities and residents have an active role in design and implementation of programmes; Provide owners with Building Passports as the basis for a staged approach to renovation and pathways to zero, near zero, and possibly positive energy buildings, ensuring ‘no regrets’ decisions and investments, and encourage circularity and foster sustainability throughout a building’s life-cycle.
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Meeting with Ylva Johansson (Commissioner) and

5 May 2020 · Migrants’ challenges in the current COVID-19 crisis and their contribution to economic recovery

Response to Revision of Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive

4 May 2020

EUROCITIES welcomes the proposal to revise the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive. Given that the move towards electromobility and other alternative fuels is likely to be strongest at first in urban areas, it is important that the Directive reinforces the alternative fuels infrastructure strategies of city authorities, who are at different stages of deployment. EUROCITIES members are focused on encouraging the move to alternative fuels in sustainable mobility strategies to achieve air quality and climate goals. We therefore encourage the consideration of the following in the IA: - The inclusion of fossil fuels is inconsistent with EU energy and climate goals. A reduced scope to fuels with a renewable potential or feedstock should be considered, which may require a division of alternative fuels per transport mode. This should be assessed for road transport after 2030, to ensure coherence with the recent adoption of the Clean Vehicles Directive. - A stronger focus on public transport and sustainable urban modes, such as bicycles and cargo bikes. Coherence should be sought with the Clean Vehicles Directive, to ensure the complementary deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure with procurement mandates under the two reference periods. - Consultation of local authorities by Member States has been inconsistent across the EU in the development of the national policy frameworks (NPFs). We recommend requiring Member States to consult city authorities and establish national governance structures with local and regional authorities to coordinate deployment, provide guidance and manage data. In addition, we recommend the consideration of integrating national strategies for alternative fuels infrastructure in NECPs and ‘long-term strategies’, under the Governance Regulation to ensure coherence of alternative fuels infrastructure with EU climate and energy goals. - Equally, at local level, the provision of alternative fuels infrastructure should be integrated with city Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) and climate strategies. It should be emphasised that Low Emission Zones and other Access Restriction measures are critical to city efforts to incentivise the switch to sustainable modes of travel including alternative fuels. - A revised deployment metric for minimum recharging infrastructure maintains a demand-supply approach, takes into account charge points in off-street parking and incentivises charge points that favour urban mobility strategies (i.e. charging hubs, fast chargers and reduced streetscape impact designs). In addition, we urge the Commission to consider measures that incentivise higher rates of deployment of charge points in residential and commercial properties. - To support city authorities in the planning, deployment and operation of charging infrastructure, the availability of data from both publicly and semi-publicly available charge points is necessary. Member States should ensure a real-time database on alternative fuel infrastructure, with data freely available on National Access Points. We recommend strengthening provisions on business-to-consumer (B2C) and propose provisions on business-to-government (B2G) data to enhance infrastructure planning. - A notable omission from the AFI Directive were provisions that support knowledge sharing on business models, deployment strategies and funding programme opportunities among relevant stakeholders, which would support the uptake of best practices. - An extension of the scope beyond the TEN-T core network to the comprehensive network, to improve infrastructure coverage. - On-Shore Power is one important option to address the significant environmental impact of shipping in city ports, yet uptake has been slow. We recommend measures that resolve remaining standardisation challenges and are coherent with a progressive implementation of an EU-wide obligation for zero-emissions at berth.
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Eurocities calls for binding higher EU 2030 climate targets

9 Apr 2020
Topic — The consultation explores increasing the EU's 2030 greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.
Message — Eurocities calls for an upwards revised, binding GHG reduction target for all member states. They advocate for updating energy and transport frameworks to match this ambition while ensuring adequate financial support for cities.123
Why — Higher targets would likely trigger greater financial resources and technical support for municipalities.4
Impact — Member states resisting climate goals lose flexibility due to proposed binding enforcement.5
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Eurocities urges binding climate targets and funding for local action

1 Apr 2020
Topic — This legislation aims to enshrine the 2050 climate neutrality objective in European law.
Message — Eurocities calls for legally binding 2030 targets and adequate financial support for local climate strategies. They request an official and active role for cities in climate governance at all levels.12
Why — This would secure specific funding and formal influence for city-led environmental initiatives.34
Impact — National governments would face stricter legal constraints and required coordination with local authorities.56
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Response to Revision of the Energy Tax Directive

1 Apr 2020

EUROCITIES, the network of major cities, welcomes the proposed revision of the Energy Taxation Directive (ETD). The revision is an opportunity to align the taxation of energy products and electricity with EU energy and climate ambitions and strengthen the internalisation of external costs. Taxation of energy products and electricity produced from renewable sources should be minimised. In a period of significant economic uncertainty, a revised ETD should contribute to the advancement of products and services that stimulate clean growth in coherence with related EU targets and instruments. We urge the Commission to consider, inter alia: - The establishment of minimum excise duty rates for energy products supplied as fuel for the maritime and aviation sectors - The exemption of taxation for electricity used by electric buses, and sustainable energy products and electricity for ferries and tour boats - Clear rules to prohibit the double-taxation of electricity consumed, stored and supplied as an electricity network service - Possibility to extend exemptions for certain applications, to support innovation and upscaling of sustainable alternatives The absence of excise duties on energy products supplied as fuel for the maritime and aviation sectors is not in keeping with the ‘polluter pays’ principle (TFEU Art. 191(2)). This challenges sustainable modal shift and the competitiveness of On-Shore Power (OSP). The possibility to connect ships to the port electricity network while at berth is an important measure to reduce climate, air quality and noise externalities of maritime transport. The use of electricity in the maritime sector should not be taxed at the same level as fossil fuels. Electric buses are one of the few modes of transport in a public authorities’ fleet that are not subject to total or partial exemptions of taxation. This should be addressed to improve the economic viability of electric buses and level the playing field among local transit modes; this would contribute to safeguarding service provision and advance local sustainable mobility. Similarly, the possibility to include sustainable energy products and electricity consumed by ferries and tour boats would have an important impact in stimulating less polluting inland waterway modes in urban areas. Finally, the double-taxation of electricity in the provision of ancillary grid services to electricity networks is an obstacle to the reduction of total cost of ownership (TCO) for public fleets of electric vehicles but also in the reduction of the cost of climate and energy transition of the EU power sector.
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Response to Farm to Fork Strategy

12 Mar 2020

A successful change of our food system requires a holistic approach and consideration of all the actors that are relevant to the food value chain, from production to consumption. This include city authorities, who are essential to innovating the food system and achieving the ambition of food sustainability in the European Green Deal. City authorities use their policy making and purchasing power to reach their aim of shorter supply chains that support consumption of local and seasonal products by small producers. Through public policies and citizens awareness raising initiatives for healthier diets, they support the important role of food in climate policies. By working towards food waste prevention and reuse they decrease the impact provided by food waste on our environment. By using their purchasing power for public canteens, they procure biological food with a smaller role for pesticide, and better animal conditions. In networks such as EUROCITIES and through the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact, cities showcase their ambitions and are working together to increase the success of their actions on many of the areas related to food system. This include education on healthy food, support for sustainable food production, food losses prevention and successful governance, working across departments and in cooperation with citizens. The European Green Deal is an excellent opportunity to ensure that all EU policies, including the Common Agriculture Policy, work in the direction of food sustainability and fully recognise the contribution of cities. To this end, the Farm to Fork strategy can take inspiration from the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact (MUFPP). The draft action plan of the farm to fork strategy include a variety of areas of actions among which governance, food consumption and funding. In the action plan of the farm to fork strategy a number of points should be considered. The full list is added in the document.
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Response to Fast-track interservice consultation on the 'SEIP including a JTM and the JTF"

12 Mar 2020

EUROCITIES believes that the Just Transition Mechanism and Fund can help mitigate the impact of transition on those most affected and vulnerable, addressing skills gaps and energy poverty. A just transition that leaves no one behind requires adequate investment in education, life-long learning and skills to support people of all ages to adapt to the requirements of a climate neutral economy. It also requires large scale investment in urban infrastructures to be able to cope with rising temperatures, climate change and population increase. In this regard, in order to guarantee the success of the Just Transition Mechanism and of the Fund in particular, the following elements must be considered: 1) The partnership principle must fully apply: when the Just Transition Fund (JTF) is inserted within the Common Provisions Regulation, the partnership principle should be fully applied. This means that local authorities must be consulted on the spending priorities to ensure they match local needs. The Commission should strongly encourage member states to cooperate also with the urban areas. The challenges related to just transition are structural and closely inter-linked across peripheral, rural, sub-urban and urban areas, hence can only be tackled when all the different stakeholders are on board. 2) Budget related questions should not delay the already successful mechanisms in place: while the budget related questions of the JTF open new debates, it is essential that the multiannual financial framework negotiations are closed, as soon as possible, limiting further delays in the implementation of the 2021-2027 projects. The budget of cohesion policy, which has been widely accepted to be the tool delivering results on the ground, must remain at least on the level of the current period. In this regard, the JTF must be complementary to the funding available for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Cohesion Fund, as well as for the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) to truly add value. Furthermore, the new mechanism should not jeopardise the success of the sustainable urban development tools. In the current period, the allocation has already exceeded the earmarking set by the regulations, so ambitions should be raised and the earmarking increased to 10% of the ERDF and extended to ESF+. 3) Urban areas have a more important role than ever: we stress the important role of cities in supporting and managing energy transition, digital transformation, climate mitigation and adaptation, re- and upskilling the workforce, pollution reduction, sustainable urban mobility and food systems, circular economy, strategic use of public spending to drive transformation while sustaining social cohesion. City authorities are committed to work towards a just transition to make the European Green Deal a reality in collaboration with all levels of government, surrounding sub-urban and rural areas, citizens and other stakeholders. Reiterating the Territorial Agenda adopted by the Ministers in charge in 2011, polycentric territorial development of the EU is key to achieving territorial cohesion. These conclusions are still highly relevant when ensuring a just transition in Europe. 4) Simplicity and synergies are key to successful implementation: it is essential that the introduction of the new Fund does not complicate and slow down the implementation of the structural funds generally. For instance, in order to reduce administrative complications, the just transition plans must work on the same principle as the sustainable urban strategies. With the already strong thematic concentration proposal in place, we also express our concern regarding further tying the ERDF and ESF+ allocation.
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Meeting with Helena Dalli (Commissioner)

25 Feb 2020 · Equality, Roma inclusion, accessibility for persons with disabilities, gender budgeting at cities level

Response to Gender equality in the EU

10 Feb 2020

This is an extract of the EUROCITIES report “European Pillar of Social Rights – Cities delivering social rights: equal opportunities and access to the labour market in cities in Europe” (December 2018). The report presents the findings on how cities deliver inclusive education, gender equality, equal opportunities and access to the labour market, based on the responses of 23 cities. The obstacles and policy recommendations below are included in the chapter on gender equality while the entire report is attached as an annex to this feedback. Obstacles in addressing gender quality - Difficulties in reconciling work and family life - Gender-based discrimination in the labour market - Persisting stereotypes related to women’s role as family and home focused Other obstacles reported by cities, but less frequently, include sexual harassment in the workplace, domestic violence and unequal access to support services. For solutions to be effective and sustainable, cities pinpointed the importance of shared ownership for coordinated actions between the public administration, private sector, civil society, local communities and individual families as a key success factor. Policy recommendations 1. The EU and member states should establish better conditions for work-life balance. Member states should facilitate women’s participation in the labour market by supporting flexible working conditions and encouraging parental leave. They should also allocate sufficient resources to ensure quality and affordable childcare services. The divergence in such conditions between countries should be addressed at EU level through the ‘Directive on Work-Life Balance for Parents and Carers’ and priorities in EU funding. At the member state level, priorities should be reflected in the ESF+ operational programmes to encourage initiatives for better childcare and work-life balance. 2. EU should mainstream gender equality in all sectoral policies. A gender perspective is needed as a crosscutting principle in the future EU multi-annual strategic agenda to ensure the effective realisation of gender equality in the EU in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights and the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. City authorities could be involved in some of the measures that have a strong local impact. 3. Member states should improve the enforcement of existing legislation on gender equality. Many countries in the EU already have laws or regulations to combat gender-based discrimination in employment and other areas. What is missing is better enforcement of the laws already in place. Stronger cooperation between national and local authorities with equality bodies is essential for identifying and reporting cases of abuse and discrimination. Member states should follow the ‘Commission Recommendation on strengthening the principle of equal pay between men and women through transparency’ and the recommendation for the creation of equality bodies at national level, both recommendations issued by the Ombudsperson for Gender Equality. 4. EU and member states need to improve gender disaggregated data. Both qualitative and quantitative gender disaggregated data could be collected in the monitoring and evaluation systems of programmes at EU and member state level (Eurostat, Fundamental Rights Agency, European Institute for Gender Equality). The data should be collected from institutional, policy and legislative frameworks. 5. Member states should invest in training and raising awareness to combat gender inequalities. There is a need for further investment in national effective gender equality strategies in order to revise the educational programmes and teaching methods to ensure non-stereotypical attitudes and practices. This goes beyond public education and covers training of civil servants in all policy areas, as well as training guidelines recommended for employers and NGOs to tackle existing stereotypes and discriminatory behaviours.
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Eurocities demands funding and official governance role for climate action

6 Feb 2020
Topic — New EU legislation establishing a legally binding objective for climate neutrality by 2050.
Message — Eurocities urges legally binding 2030 targets and adequate financial support for local climate strategies. They advocate for a greater official role for cities in global and national governance.123
Why — Increased financial support would help cities cover the costs of urban transformation.45
Impact — National governments may lose exclusive authority over energy plans and budget allocation.6
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Meeting with Damyana Stoynova (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans)

5 Feb 2020 · The Covenant of Mayors and contribution to the European Green Deal

Meeting with Olivier Smith (Cabinet of President Ursula von der Leyen) and ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability European Secretariat and

5 Feb 2020 · Climate Pact, Covenant of Mayors

Response to A new Circular Economy Action Plan

20 Jan 2020

As EUROCITIES, the network of major European cities, gathering local governments of over 140 of Europe's largest cities and governing around 130 million citizens, we welcome the initiative of the new Commission to propose a new Circular Economy Action Plan. Cities play a key role in delivering circularity on their territories, as facilitators, legislators, policy and market makers. As European cities, we are committed to making the transition to a more circular economy. Therefore, we would like to offer our help and collaborate with the European Commission in designing this Circular Economy Action Plan 2.0. We would already encourage the European Commission to consider the following points in its reflections: - Strengthening support for mutual learning and capacity building between cities across the EU, using the established effective tools for these purposes, including peer reviews and mentoring programmes. The outreach must be Europe-wide to accelerate the circular transition in the EU; - Developing a real market for secondary raw materials to avoid the loss of resources from the economy and to ensure their safety, competitive prices and reliability; - Ensuring a fair share of the costs of waste management by strengthening the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to ensure that waste management services are funded through ‘polluter pays’ type mechanism. This will help cities with limited financial resources to implement efficient source separation as put forward in the Waste Framework Directive; - EUROCITIES welcomes an EU model for separate waste collection but underlines that there is no unique way to source separate waste from households and that cities need the flexibility to adapt systems that are suitable for their local situations. Instead of one system, a set of available systems should be picked out and promoted. To secure successful models, cities must be included in the development of such policies; - Widening the scope of the single use plastics directive to include a greater range of plastic products (e.g. bio-based, biodegradable, microplastics), set requirements on packaging and set reuse targets for multi-use packaging; - Measuring the transition and benchmarking progress, by developing common indicators for the circular economy. To that end, the Commission could build upon the circular indicators developed by the Urban Agenda Partnership for Circular Economy. The identification of circular indicators at EU level, based on circular rather than linear data, could also help cities to unlock their important purchasing power potential; - Supporting public authorities in engaging in a constructive dialogue with the market on circular procurement practice, for example on circular construction. Standardisation or guidelines will help cities to use the purchase power of public procurement. The Commission should take a lead role in this; - Stimulating new sustainable business models through circular public procurements. As Urban Agenda Partnership for the EU on the Innovative and Responsible Public Procurement highlighted in their Action Plan: local authorities need financial support to be able to introduce novelties in their procurement strategies and processes; - Finally, EUROCITIES supports the focus of the European Commission’s roadmap on the value chains of textiles, electronics and plastics. We recommend to look at design, production, consumption, waste handling and reuse/recycling and to include all stakeholders along the value chain, including cities.
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Eurocities demands SMART targets and better funding access for cities

2 Jan 2020
Topic — New EU initiative defining biodiversity commitments and restoration targets for 2030.
Message — Eurocities advocates for results-oriented SMART targets and a simplified funding application process for local governments. They call for biodiversity to be mainstreamed into all sectoral policies and the 2050 climate vision.123
Why — Direct representation and easier access to financial resources would empower city-level conservation.45
Impact — Agricultural and forestry interests might lose financial support through the assessment of harmful subsidies.67
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Meeting with Ditte Juul-Joergensen (Director-General Energy)

4 Nov 2019 · The role of the citites in the clean energy transition

Meeting with Frans Timmermans (First Vice-President)

17 Oct 2019 · Role and cooperation with cities on sustainable development

Response to Cross-border enforcement of road traffic rules

12 Apr 2019

EUROCITIES is the political platform for major European cities. We network the local governments of over 140 of Europe’s largest cities and more than 40 partner cities that between them govern some 130 million citizens across 39 countries. EUROCITIES welcomes the Commission’s Inception Impact Assessment on the Cross-Border Enforcement (CBE) Directive, which city authorities consider to be an important element to address road safety in the EU. The report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of the CBE Directive makes clear there is potential for improvement in effectiveness. Local authorities report difficulties in enforcing against non-residents for serious traffic offences under the current EU legal framework and EUROCITIES therefore supports measures that act to improve the investigation to enforce financial penalties and to address mutual recognition procedures. In addition, the revised European Electronic Tolling Service (EETS) Directive now provides for the possibility to cross-border enforce against drivers that fail to pay a road fee in urban vehicle access regulations (UVARs). Notably this includes only those UVARs that are enforced electronically and require payment of a ‘fee’, rather than a ‘fine’ for noncompliance. In addition, Art. 9 of the EETS Directive requires the Commission to produce a report on the extension of the provisions to ‘low emission zones, restricted access zones of other vehicle access regulation schemes’. To ensure coherence between the EETS Directive and the CBE Directive, EUROCITIES would encourage the expansion of scope to provide for the opportunity to include all UVARs in which there was a failure to pay non-electronically by non-residents. This should not challenge internal legal coherence, as both the EETS Directive and CBE Directive are adopted under Art. 91 of the TFEU. This extension of scope should be coupled with the provision of access for local authorities to Member State vehicle registers, or obligations for the competent national bodies to consider requests from local authorities, to permit an increase in effectiveness on the cross-border enforcement.
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Response to Evaluation of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive

20 Mar 2019

The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive was a welcome first step from EU oil dependency. However, there are significant structural issues that should be addressed; not least within the context of recent EU policy developments on the Mobility Packages and the 2050 Long-Term Climate Strategy. From the perspective of major European cities, these are as follows: - The inclusion of fossil fuels within Art.2 is inconsistent with EU energy and climate goals and should be removed from the Directive. A reduced scope to renewable fuels, such as, inter alia, electricity, hydrogen and sustainable advanced biofuels should be made. - Governance structures are required to address the lack of coordination and information on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure. This exists not only between national, regional and local administrations but also between private providers and city authorities. This results in an incomplete overview of alternative fuels infrastructure deployment, which presents a risk in their optimum deployment. As a first step, Member States should be required to consult city authorities on the development and implementation of National Policy Frameworks. As a second, governance structures should be established, either led by city authorities or with their participation, to coordinate deployment, provide guidance and manage data on infrastructure availability. - The revision of the Clean Vehicles Directive established binding targets for the public procurement of zero emission buses, among other vehicle categories. A strengthening of provisions for the deployment of alternative fuel infrastructure for public transport is an important complementary and enabling action to support their uptake. - A notable absence of the AFI Directive were provisions that support knowledge sharing on business models and deployment strategies among relevant stakeholders, which would support the uptake of best practices. - The availability of public and private data that relate to the location and utilisation of charging points is important for their planning, deployment and operation. Member States should ensure an up to date database on public and private alternative fuel infrastructure, with data freely available on National Access Points. - To improve infrastructure coverage, an extension of the scope beyond the TEN-T core network to the comprehensive network should be considered. - Shipping emissions in ports remain a serious, persistent issue for a number of cities. Given the lack of national targets for the establishment of on-shore power supplies, legal obligations for their deployment should be introduced.
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Response to Specifications for the provision of cooperative intelligent transport systems (C-ITS)

8 Feb 2019

The EUROCITIES network welcomes the Delegated Act on ‘Specifications for the provision of cooperative intelligent transport systems (C-ITS)’, as one means to address congestion, road safety and air quality in cities. The success of C-ITS in Europe is dependant on a phased approach, with initial services and then more sophisticated services establishing the foundation for cooperative automated driving and the digitalisation of road transport. As C-ITS infrastructure will be in operation for significant periods of time, interoperability and backwards compatibility is necessary for the further establishment and market penetration of these services. We believe the delegated act provides the necessary framework and required legal certainty for establishing C-ITS in Europe. We therefore support the harmonised common rules and guidelines for security and data protection, as well as requirements for the ensuring the trustworthiness of C-ITS information. In addition, we support the hybrid approach of complementary and mature technologies combining long-range communication for strategic services and short-range communication for the exchange of information between vehicles. This should enable a broad range of services to be realised and harnessed. Reaching this delegated act would not have been possible without the foundation laid by the consultation process via the C-ITS Platform, expert groups and C-Roads Platform, which, alongside other stakeholders, enabled city authorities to effectively participate and build consensus.
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Meeting with Katarzyna Szczepanska (Cabinet of Vice-President Günther Oettinger)

9 Jan 2019 · MFF

Response to Urban Mobility in the EU

17 Dec 2018

EUROCITIES welcomes the fitness check on the Urban Mobility Package (UMP). While our membership notes the positive and substantial impact the UMP has made on urban mobility, it is important to stress that the identified challenges have not been resolved as yet. Decarbonisation, air quality, road safety and congestion remain significant problems in many cities. It is therefore clear that greater ambition is needed to support urban areas, including the strengthening of city involvement in EU decision-making. Moreover, measures for urban mobility should be coherent with recent EU initiatives, such as the European strategic vision for a climate neutral economy COM(2018)773 and with proposals of the ‘Europe on the Move’ mobility packages. Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) are proven and effective tools to achieve modal shift, which have grown in number from 800 in 2013 to 1000 in 2017. To further drive the uptake of SUMPs in the EU, financial support should be leveraged to incentivise their development and revision. This should be coupled with additional measures to raise-awareness, strengthen governance and increase peer-to-peer learning, covering both experienced and unexperienced local authorities. Urban vehicle access restrictions (UVAR) have risen on political agendas following the Dieselgate scandal in 2015, which reinforced the urgent need to protect public health from air pollution. While the design and implementation of UVARs will remain a local competence, the European Union can support effectiveness in several key areas, such as cross-border enforcement, EU-wide information portals and guidance on the integration of UVARs into long-term strategic plans. EU financial support for urban transport is a catalyst for wider economic development and attainment of sustainability goals. An emphasis should be maintained and expanded on the promotion of modal shift to sustainable modes of transport (i.e. public transport, walking and cycling) and research and demonstration for sustainable urban mobility. In addition, there is a high potential for the simplification and reporting within programmes to reduce administrative burden on city authorities. City authorities welcome the Strategic Action Plan on Road Safety, alongside the revision of the General Safety Regulation and Road Infrastructure Safety Directive. However, urban road safety will nonetheless require a broad range of supportive measures and funding from the EU to address. The role of urban freight and logistics has a limited knowledge base, despite the important contribution made to the local economy. This lack of depth has traditionally hindered policy responses to challenges on the environmental sustainability and road safety of urban freight. To address this, the EU should promote monitoring and management of urban flows and stimulate the private sector to implement efficient and sustainable urban logistics. Urban nodes are essential elements of the Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T). Cities are the backbone of Europe’s economic activity, acting as connecting points and the ‘first and last miles’ of long-distance journeys. Despite this, there is limited involvement of cities in TEN-T governance with consultation undertaken at a late stage in the planning process. City involvement should therefore be supported to a greater extent and meaningfully involved in the ‘corridor forums’ to maximise the overall benefit of projects
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Meeting with Jean-Eric Paquet (Director-General Research and Innovation)

26 Sept 2018 · Horizon Europe proposal

Meeting with Joost Korte (Director-General Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion)

12 Sept 2018 · Meeting with the Secretary General of EUROCITIES, Ms Anna Lisa Boni to discuss the cooperation between EUROCITIES and DG EMPL in the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights

Meeting with Marianne Thyssen (Commissioner) and

13 Apr 2018 · Possible collaboration in the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights

Meeting with Michel Barnier (Head of Task Force Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom)

19 Feb 2018 · Meeting with the Task Force for the Preparation and Conduct of the Negotiations with the United Kingdom under Article 50 TEU

Meeting with Ruth Paserman (Cabinet of Commissioner Marianne Thyssen)

1 Feb 2018 · Preparatory meeting for the meetin with president Daniel Termont (mayor of Ghent) and vice-president Karin Wanngard (mayor of Stockholm).

Meeting with Helena Braun (Cabinet of First Vice-President Frans Timmermans) and Aedes vereniging van woningcorporaties and

29 Nov 2017 · Discussion on affordable housing in EU

Meeting with Alina-Stefania Ujupan (Cabinet of Commissioner Mariya Gabriel)

27 Oct 2017 · Digital Single Market, investment in the digital infrastructure, smart cities and digital innovation

Meeting with Marc Lemaitre (Director-General Regional and Urban Policy)

26 Oct 2017 · Future of Europe and role of the cities in cohesion policy

Meeting with Ruth Paserman (Cabinet of Commissioner Marianne Thyssen)

23 Jun 2017 · POLITICAL DEBATE ON WORK AND SOCIAL INCLUSION IN CITIES

Meeting with Jyrki Katainen (Vice-President) and

7 Mar 2017 · EFSI - investment and finance in cities

Response to Real-Driving Emissions in the EURO 6 regulation on emissions from light passenger and commercial vehicles (RDE3)

5 Dec 2016

EUROCITES supports the objectives of the Commission’s proposal to improve the current RDE tests and we urge for a rapid introduction of effective and reliable test procedures of the 3rd RDE package. Currently, more than half of EU member states are undergoing infringement procedures for not fulfilling the air quality limits set out in the Ambient Air Quality Directive. The Volkswagen scandal showed that the majority of cars on the roads do not meet the EU air pollution standards. Minimising road transport pollution is essential to improving urban air quality and consequently citizens’ health. Bearing in mind these consequences it’s thus crucial that the 3rd RDE package should be agreed and implemented in 2017 for new vehicle types and in 2018 for all new vehicles as the original timetabled envisages. Delays will only further prevent air quality improvements in our cities and have quantifiable impacts on our citizens’ health. EUROCITIES calls on TCMV to incorporate in the final text the following points which are of importance to cities’ ability to improve air quality: - Bring the conformity factor down closer to 1 will only be possible through annual RDE reviews. The current one is not ambitious enough, even allowing for differences in empirical measurement between laboratory gas analysers and Portable Emissions Measurement System (PEMS) equipment, the conformity factor should be set at no more than 1.2 as soon as possible. - The new testing protocol must be representative of, and take into account, all the emissions produced under various urban driving conditions. For example, cold starts contribute significantly to pollutant emissions in urban areas, and must be accounted for correctly and any loopholes in the proposal must be closed. Additionally building a publicly accessible database is paramount to the transparency and accountability of the RDE process. Publicly accessible data is important to reinstate confidence in the car industry. Overall the new RDE test must be effective and ensure that Euro 6 vehicles deliver the required emissions reductions on the road. This would help cities comply with EU air quality requirements by making vast improvements to urban air quality for the benefit of our citizens. EUROCITIES is the political platform for major European cities. We network the local governments of 137 of Europe’s largest cities and over 47 partner cities that between them govern some 130 million citizens across 39 countries.
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Meeting with Matthias Ruete (Director-General Migration and Home Affairs)

11 Oct 2016 · Discussion on integration of refugees and migrants in European cities

Meeting with Maroš Šefčovič (Vice-President) and

6 Oct 2016 · The Global Covenant of Mayors: priorities for the coming months

Meeting with Peter Van Kemseke (Cabinet of Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič) and Energy Cities and Climate Alliance of European cities with indigenous rainforest peoples

7 Sept 2016 · Global Covenant of Mayors: Next steps

Meeting with Cecilia Malmström (Commissioner)

5 Sept 2016 · TTIP

Meeting with Marika Lautso-Mousnier (Cabinet of Vice-President Jyrki Katainen)

20 Apr 2016 · Presentation of the company, sharing economy, sharing cities

Meeting with Elżbieta Bieńkowska (Commissioner) and

22 Feb 2016 · Roundtable discussion on public procurement and economic development, social innovation and collaborative economy

Meeting with Stefaan Hermans (Cabinet of Commissioner Marianne Thyssen)

16 Feb 2016 · Urban dimension of European employment and social priorities

Meeting with Jakub Cebula (Cabinet of Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska)

9 Feb 2016 · EUROCITIES

Meeting with Dominique Ristori (Director-General Energy)

15 Oct 2015 · European energy policy

Meeting with Violeta Bulc (Commissioner) and

15 Oct 2015 · Meeting Eurocities representatives

Meeting with Silvia Bartolini (Cabinet of Vice-President Miguel Arias Cañete)

4 Sept 2015 · Smart Cities

Meeting with Peter Van Kemseke (Cabinet of Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič)

8 Jul 2015 · Thought of Eurocities on the development of a Smart Cities Strategy; role of smart cities in the Energy Union and in decarbonisation policies.

Meeting with Karl-Friedrich Falkenberg (Director-General Environment)

29 Jun 2015 · EGCA follow up

Meeting with Kamila Kloc (Cabinet of Vice-President Andrus Ansip)

18 May 2015 · Digital Single Market and urban dimension of it.

Meeting with Violeta Bulc (Commissioner) and

20 Apr 2015 · EUROCITIES representatives meeting Commissioner Bulc

Meeting with Peter Van Kemseke (Cabinet of Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič)

23 Mar 2015 · Energy Union follow-up: local level

Meeting with Pierre Moscovici (Commissioner)

26 Feb 2015 · Relance de l'emploi en Europe

Meeting with Mikel Landabaso Alvarez (Cabinet of Commissioner Corina Crețu)

4 Dec 2014 · EU Urban agenda