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Regions’ message at Copenhagen: we can’t wait, it’s time to act!

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The Assembly of European Regions and key actors push forward the fight against climate change


Copenhagen (DK), 15 December 2009

In the framework of the different activities organised by local authorities in parallel to the 15th Conference of Parties in Copenhagen, the Climate Group gathered for its “leaders’ summit” in Copenhagen a panel of international organisations of regions, federal States and private sector actors willing to change the tendencies of climate change. The elected politicians in the room represented 360 million people and a total GDP of 10 billion dollars. Ms Michèle Sabban, President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER), played an active role in the latest negotiations.

“We cannot emphasise enough what a major role regions play in the fight against climate change, since they are the ones that have to implement between 50 and 80% of mitigation and adaptation measures. Further evidence of the determination of regions and federal states comes today with the decision of the government of South Australia to commit itself to achieving 33% of clean energy by 2020, reflecting the Californian commitment,” Michèle Sabban commented.
Together with her global peers, Michèle Sabban has affirmed: “it is no longer time for discussion, it is now time for action!”and announced the creation of an AER Action Tank. She called upon all forces gathered in Copenhagen to join AER and identify concrete solutions to the climate change challenge. “Whatever the content of the agreement to be concluded on Friday, we will pursue our commitment and continue to support the progression of all regions towards a European and global green future. This struggle is crucial to our future. AER will also be happy to include economic decision-makers and industry to join our activities and bring their expertise.”
These initiatives complete the AER Belfort Appeal, adopted by the 270 AER member regions during the November 2009 AER General Assembly and brought to Copenhagen by the President.

Download the Belfort Appeal:

For more information: [email protected]

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Assembly of European Regions partners with “R20” group to fight the climate change

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Copenhagen (DK), 15 December 2009.

Just two weeks after the “Belfort Appeal” – a clarion call to raise awareness of the role played by regions and federal states in the fight against climate change – the Assembly of European Regions (AER) has announced yesterday its support of the “R20” declaration in Copenhagen and will bring expertise and know-how to this new concept, which will be officially launched in September 2010. The declaration, inspired by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, is the result of the Governor’s ”Global Summit on Climate Change” held in Los Angeles in September 2009, and commits to develop the capacities of a limited number of interested sub-national governments from developing and emerging countries.

The R20 declaration shares the spirit of the Belfort Appeal, which was launched by Michèle Sabban, President of the Assembly of European Regions and its 270 member regions, together with its partners from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) represented by Christophe Nuttal, the Climate Group and its President Steve Howard, along with Ricardo Cordoba, President of GE Energy West Europe and North Africa. It is an urgent appeal for the recognition of the role of regions and federal states in the fight against climate change. The appeal affirms that the success of the post-Kyoto negotiations, meaning the implementation of adaptation and mitigation measures, mainly depends on the regions.

R20 will help willing and selected developing regions to design and implement their Climate Change and Energy Regional Package (CCERP). The signatory regions of the R20 declaration will represent diverse climate patterns to put in place the necessary scientific, institutional and financial framework that would significantly reduce the risk of dangerous climate change based on the 4th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. This will contribute to the stabilization of the global mean temperature rise from pre-industrial levels to 2°C as agreed by various international fora including the G20.

“In an energy landscape in constant evolution and more decentralized than ever before, European regions play a crucial role in coming up with energy solutions for their territories. By partnering with the R20 group, we officially affirm our commitment to the goals and principles of the Global Climate Solutions Declaration. We are happy and proud to officially support the R20 group and to fight together against climate change”, AER President Michèle Sabban said.

“It is clear today that, for an agreement in Copenhagen not to remain wishful thinking, it must rely on sub-national levels, in particular on regions and federated states. For example, we know that between 50 and 70% of all adaptation and mitigation measures against climate change will call for implementation by the regions”, Ms Sabban commented. “I am proud to associate AER to this initiative, as it signals, hopefully, the beginning of a cooperation era in international relations”, Ms Sabban added.

For more information: [email protected]

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While nations talk in Copenhagen, regions act in Ploieşti

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Prahova (RO), 4 December 2009

The third energy audit of the MORE4NRG project was carried out this week in the region of Prahova (R). Over the last few days, experts from Valencia (E) and Lazio (I), along with AER representatives, advised county authorities on tackling climate change and meeting sustainable energy needs with the establishment of a reliable, comprehensive and dynamic energy strategy.

Sunshine and hydro-resources can provide an abundance of green energy in Prahova. The region is beginning to capture some of this potential; but it still encounters myriad difficulties when it comes to introducing renewable energy source (RES) technologies. Some successful projects – such as the PV central station in the town of Cornu and the Floreşti gym equipped with solar roof panels – are already in place. But there is still no coherent legal framework to promote investment in the sector of clean energy. Weak support mechanisms, long payback periods, grid connection and energy conservation problems were some of the issues analysed by the expert team.

“A regional strategy would set out a new vision for the smarter use of energy in our region”, says Ludmila Sfirloaga, President of the Chamber of Regions of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (CLRAE-Council of Europe), elected councillor from the Prahova county and member of the MORE4NRG Monitoring Board. “This is a challenging target but its achievement will bring wide-ranging benefits to our territory. Deploying renewable energy will help us maximise not only the environmental benefits but also the social and economic ones”.

“There is of course no one-size-fits-all energy strategy”, explains Joaquin Ortolá from the Valencia Energy Agency (AVEN) and member of the expert team. “The content of each energy strategy varies according to regional particularities. That is why we came to Prahova. We would like to get better insight into its current energy situation. It is of crucial importance to understand how energy is used in the county, and to identify key regional stakeholders that are concerned with the issue of energy and who should be involved in drafting such a document. As energy is a cross-cutting issue, all kinds of actors must take part in the consultation procedure so that we make the right connections between energy and other key policy areas. We expect our peer review to catalyse regional corporate commitment to taking the strategy forward.”

Together with members of the Ploieşti energy agency (which was set up under the Intelligent Energy Europe program), MORE4NRG experts visited several regional solar power installations and small hydropower plants. They also interviewed representatives of government, academia, environmental NGOs, the chamber of commerce, energy providers and local investors.

“We hope that our suggestions will help Prahova deliver a successful energy strategy. This document should be quickly supported by an appropriate action plan and regularly updated so that it rightly depicts fluctuating trends of the energy market”, concludes Giuseppa Bruschi, department director for the region of Lazio.

AER Peer reviews:
Made up of international experts from MORE4NRG member regions, the peer review team conducts a four-day visit to assess the performance of a host region’s energy policies. Through a series of field inspections and meetings with energy stakeholders from both public and private sectors, the team investigates the legal, technological, financial and environmental factors that may affect the sustainable development of the host region’s energy strategy.

 

For more information: [email protected]

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Belfort Appeal: Regions mobilise in the fight against climate change

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In Belfort, during the last major international climate change conference before the Copenhagen summit, Michèle Sabban, President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) and its 270 member regions, together with its partners from the United Nations development programme (UNDP) represented by Christophe Nuttal, the Climate Group and its President Steve Howard, along with Ricardo Cordoba, President of GE Energy West Europe and North Africa, launched an urgent appeal for the recognition of the role of regions and federal states in the fight against climate change.

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“Belfort Appeal”: regions are on the way to Copenhagen

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Belfort, Franche-Comté (F), 27 November 2009.

In Belfort, during the last major international climate change conference before the Copenhagen summit, Michèle Sabban, President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) and its 270 member regions, together with its partners from the United Nations development programme (UNDP) represented by Christophe Nuttal, the Climate Group and its President Steve Howard, along with Ricardo Cordoba, President of GE Energy West Europe and North Africa, launched an urgent appeal for the recognition of the role of regions and federal states in the fight against climate change.

This appeal, adopted by the AER General Assembly held this year in Franche-Comté (F), affirms that the success of the post-Kyoto negotiations, meaning the implementation of adaptation and mitigation measures, mainly depend on the regions. In fact, according to the UNDP, between 50 and 70% of these measures should be implemented by regions and federal states.

Speaking today to an audience of 500 regional politicians, experts, and EU officials, AER president Michèle Sabban said: “This appeal sends a strong message on the eve of the Copenhagen summit: national governments must recognise and take advantage of the crucial role the regions play in tackling climate change and energy challenges. If they fail to secure a truly multi-level response to these challenges, our national leaders will be putting our environment and economic security at grave risk, it’s as simple as that.”

AER is the largest organisation of regional authorities in Europe, bringing together 16 interregional associations and 270 regions from 33 countries. AER’s General Assembly was held at the GE Energy production plant in the heart of Europe’s “Energy Valley”, a fitting location for the adoption of an appeal consolidating the regions’ commitment to sustainable energy solutions.

Download the Belfort Appeal:

For more information: [email protected]

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AER Recommendations on the Future of Cohesion Policy post-2013

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Towards a territorially-based policy for all Europeans?

Adopted on 26 November 2009 at the AER General Assembly

Extract: It is essential that cohesion policy remains European. The current division of tasks between the European Commission and the Member States should be continued. In order to improve the efficiency of the policy and fully follow the line opened by the concept of “territorial cohesion”, the AER recommends the full adoption of a place-based approach, the creation of tripartite agreements for voluntary regions and of a Council of Ministers for Cohesion policy, as suggested in the Barca report. EU regional policy’s first goal is economic, social and territorial cohesion. That means giving all European citizens equal opportunities wherever they live in Europe. Beyond this main goal, cohesion policy should be given clearly identified objectives as well as priorities in line with the main challenges coming ahead. The challenges include climate change, the economic crisis, demographic change, and migration.

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Energising Europe Responsibly Means Empowering its Regions

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AER survey finds that the regions need competences and financial incentives to tackle energy challenges globally and harness energy potentials locally

Paris (F), 24th November 2009 

It is the regions that are best placed to harness local energy potentials and develop innovative solutions to meet Europe’s energy needs while respecting the environment. These are the initial findings of a major survey of European regions unveiled yesterday, some days before the Assembly of European Regions’ (AER) General Assembly in Belfort, Franche-Comté (F). The organisation is the largest network of regional authorities in Europe.

Covering 66 regions in 24 countries across the wider Europe, this ongoing and extensive question/answer survey represents a strong cross-section of Europe’s territorial diversity.

“The first results of the survey prove what we at AER have been repeating for many years,” AER president Michèle Sabban said yesterday. “Regions, when given the right competences and funding, can lead the charge in tackling Europe’s biggest challenges. When it comes to turning local energy assets into advantage, finding tailor-made solutions to meet energy needs and addressing environmental concerns, there is no better guiding philosophy than to ‘think global and act local’. That is how the principle of subsidiarity works, and that is how European energy policy should work.”

AER’s survey of regions found that 91% position energy as one of the key priorities in the next 15 years, that 75% already have an energy strategy in place, and that those strategies usually include a specific plan for developing renewable energy sources (RES). Regions in France and Hungary pointed out, however, that the harnessing of RES is being hampered by a lack of relevant competences. That concern is a recurring theme in the survey findings: the regions need to be empowered rather than hampered in order to effectively tackle Europe’s energy challenges.

This need is best illustrated by the regions’ diverse and innovative approaches in exploiting local energy potentials, since regions empowered with adequate competences and financing have been able to unlock such potentials within their territories. The survey highlights, for example, regions’ use of solid waste in Brussels (B) and Gelderland (NL), waves in the Açores islands (P), snow in Vasternorrland (S), straw in Bornholm (DK), “black liquor” (obtained from paper pulp) in Central Finland (FIN), solar power in the Austrian and southern European regions, as well as wood-based energy in Ticino (CH) and the Balkan regions.

Several regions are producing energy from RES at levels higher than the EU’s 20% target, while RES has enabled a number of regions to be fully independent in terms of electricity consumption. Between 88% and 100% of electricity is generated by hydropower, for example, in the regions of Maramures (RO), Norrbotten (S), Oppland (N), and Trento (I).

“RES initiatives are possible only with the policy support and, very often, financial incentives of national and European level decision-makers,” Ms Sabban stressed. “The EU, for example, could do more to promote the use of wood-based RES. So many of our regions are endowed with forests, and yet only 3% of the EU’s overall energy production is wood-based. Less developed regions in particular need financial incentives to exploit such potentials.”

Indeed the responses to AER’s survey suggest that a lack of visibility of the EU’s financial instruments is hindering regional energy policies and potentials. While 24% of respondents are now using the European Territorial Cooperation programs financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), very few are making use of European Investment Bank loans or EU support for educational and youth programs promoting RES. This underlines the increasing need to simplify EU application procedures, a cause in which AER is strongly engaged.

When it comes to the intelligent use of energy, the survey found that 40% of the regions are already using smart grid technologies. While this figure is encouraging, it also shows that further incentives are needed to help regions increase their energy efficiency in line with the EU’s 20/20/20 targets.

Speaking at a press conference held in Paris before AER’s General Assembly, the last major event before the Copenhagen summit, Ms Sabban added that: “98% of the surveyed regions believe that they can play a positive role in the fight against climate change. But the national governments and the EU must provide the regions with tools to engage in that fight.”

For more information: [email protected]

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AER’s Draft of a Resolution to the Copenhagen Climate Conference

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In November 2009, the AER and other Regional and Local Organisations have attached a draft of a resolution that each Regional president could forward to their respective national governments.
The draft requested that regional governments would be sufficiently taken into consideration when designing a new climate change protocol.

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Appeal to Copenhagen Climate Conference

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Strasbourg, 2 November 2009 

To the Presidents of the AER member regions

Dear President,
Limiting global temperature rise is an immense and urgent challenge that will require  an unprecedented level of collaboration and cooperation among all levels of government around the world. Regional governments are an important part of this  equation as drivers for innovation and implementers of climate policies. As the world prepares for the United Nations (UN) Climate Conference in Copenhagen, it is crucial that the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (i.e., national governments) recognize the roles of sub-national leaders in achieving our common climate goals.

While only national governments can negotiate at the UN Climate Conference, nations increasingly recognize the contributions of their sub-national leaders. Various levels of government (either named specifically or through references to “all levels” of government) are mentioned approximately 100 times.  Currently, sub-national governments are mentioned in all areas covered by the preparatory Working Group, namely “shared vision”, “adaptation”, “mitigation”, “finance”, “technology transfer” and “capacity-building”.

It should be kept in mind, however, that the text presents the various and sometimes contradictory options submitted by the Parties as well as terminology that has not been accepted by all.  Therefore, current references to sub-national governments may not remain in the final outcome document (whatever form it may take).

Therefore, sub national governments should continue and reinforce their efforts to seek support from other sub-national and national governments in order to make sure that the references remain in the final text to be adopted in Copenhagen in December.

To that end, AER member regions need to approach their respective national governments and ask them to ensure at the negotiations in Barcelona (November 2- 6, 2009) and Copenhagen (December 2009) that regional governments are sufficiently taken into consideration when designing a new climate change protocol.

This concerns also the provision of sufficient funds for regional governments to implement the protocol.

In order to help you advocating this position with your national governments, we have attached a draft of a resolution that you could forward to your respective national governments.

Sincerely,

Michèle Sabban

AER President
Vice President of Ile-de-France

Download the Draft of a Resolution:

For more information: [email protected]

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Regions are an essential element in the implementation of climate policies

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Paris, Ile-de-France (F), 15 October 2009

After Climate Week in New York, the Governors’ Summit in Los Angeles and less than two months before the Copenhagen conference, the French region of Ile-de-France is joining the mobilisation of regions for the recognition of their and federated states’ role in the fight against climate change in Copenhagen, together with Québec (CDN), Manitoba (CDN), Catalunya (E), California (USA), and Bretagne (F), among others.

Today, Jean Paul Huchon, President of the Ile-de-France region, signed its accession to the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) programme “towards carbon neutral and climate change resilient territories”, which reinforces the capacities of regions in developing and emerging countries to formulate and implement their Integrated Territorial Climate Plan.

 Mr Huchon was accompanied by Michèle Sabban President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) and vice president of the Ile-de-France region. Ile-de-France, one of AER’s member regions, thus reacted to the call launched in March 2009 by AER and UNDP, who together signed the common declaration “Regional Responses to Climate Change”.
Mr Huchon also officially allied Ile-de-France to the activities of The Climate Group, an independent not for profit organisation founded in 2004 to accelerate the international action against climate change. The Climate Group, which has established an international alliance of States and Regions, is working with a growing number of sub-national governments such as Ile-de-France, whose economies are globally significant in their own right and who are leading on climate change.  The exchange of knowledge and technology across states and regions seeks to advance practical policy development on climate change and act as a compelling model for their national counterparts.


What the participants said:

Michèle Sabban: “I am proud that my region, Ile-de-France, has signed today these agreements with the UNDP and the Climate Group. I was personally dedicated to the fight against climate change since my election as President of AER, and I hope that each of the AER 270 member regions will soon sign such an agreement.”

Jean Paul Hucon: “Thanks to these agreements signed today with UNDP and the Climate Group, the Ile-de-France region asserts itself as one of the major regions which work in favour of a green energy at European and global levels. I hope that cooperation with AER and the other community networks and intergovernmental agencies engaged in the fight against climate change will continue in the following months.”

 Cécile Molinier, Director of the UNDP Office in Geneva: “The Ile-de-France region is leading AER, it is therefore in a position of responsibility to demonstrate best practice. Furthermore, the region is the biggest in France and is at the heart of the debate centred around sustainable and low carbon development and the promotion of a green economy. The region Ile-de-France has a visionary and pioneering approach to decentralised cooperation with developing countries. We hope that our partnership with Ile-de-France will serve as an example and a reference point to encourage more regions in Europe to establish partnerships with regions in developing countries to support their efforts to reduce poverty.”

Luc Bas, Head of Government Relations Europe, The Climate Group: “The Climate Group is working internationally with government and business leaders to advance smart policies and technologies to cut global emissions and accelerate a low carbon economy. TCG welcomes Ile-de-France as its first French regional member and looks forward to close partnership with a region which is already showing a commitment to lead on climate change solutions.”

Context:

The partnership between UNDP, UNEP and regional associations started in October 2008, on the occasion of the first world regional summit on climate change (www.worldsummitofregions.org). The network is presently able to mobilise 1000 regions in the world and is promoting the UN programme.

This project is strengthening AER activities in the field of climate change and sustainable development. Aware that regional authorities are an indispensable governance level for mitigating and adapting to climate change, AER puts the climate stakes at the heart of international action, thereby preparing regions for serious economic, social and environmental changes.
For more information: [email protected]
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AER “Snapshot: Europe!” competition awards young European photographers

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Brussels (B), 8 October 2009. 

 The Assembly of European Regions (AER) awarded last night the three winners of “Snapshot: Europe!”, a photo competition for young people organised this year for the first time.
While awarding the three prizes, Eric Alira, a regional councillor from Lower Silesia (PL), said: “ Young people from Europe are aware, informed and critical. As you take a look to the photos of the exhibition, you will see that many stories are being told, some of them funny, some of them sad but all of them meaningful and dedicated to important topics.

I am proud to see that Europe’s youth picture what they feel all of us as Europeans need to improve or change. They are very engaged and critical, they do observe the world around them and they use their artistic talents to bring this message to us.

Last summer, young people from regions across Europe were asked to submit photos on three different topics. One of the six members of the independent jury, Nabeelah Shabbir, editor-in-chief and image editor at Café Babel, noted: “These are very difficult themes to find good images. But I was warmly surprised by the quality. Entrants took initiative and saw beyond the aesthetic values of the images they captured. I enjoyed how some dared to cross the borders of originality, and even the ones who were inspired by more classic themes allowed the look to linger on an image and the imagination to be stretched.”

Vincent Beeckman, coordinator for social-artistic projects and photography at Recyclart, said “the portraits and the atmospheres captured were both innermost and current for some aspects, and very anchored to our Europe’s reality for others. Participants’ talent for images expressed in magnificent portraits and superb landscapes. A very nice panel of different horizons from different photographers coming from all over Europe!”

Arno Fougeres, international photographer, opined that “the pictures highlighted a great variety of identities, the expression of a wide diversity of point of views, the pointing out of many factors hindering integration processes, and nonetheless a clear optimism and strive for a future with a wider conscience of the other and where unity and respect play a major role.”

Winners of the first edition of AER “Snapshot: Europe!” photo competition:

 Category 1: Europe on the move. Migration, integration, stereotypes.

Kai Löffelbein, Niedersachsen Region (D) – “With my photos I try to express the feelings of the immigrants arriving in Europe, hoping to stay and begin a new life in security and with satisfied basic needs. Very often immigrants live here in Europe in illegalised or insecure position for several years, fearing to be sent back ‘home’.”

Title: Very quiet here

Author’s description: The photo was taken during a naturalisation in Berlin-Neukölln. This day is very important for the migrants because now they are becoming full citizens of the country. But are these people really welcomed in Germany? A executive sets his chop quietly on a document, that’s all. The naturalisation stays an act of bureaucracy.

Category 2: European identity? Values, diversity and cultural dialogue.

Indre Zdanciute, Vilnius (LT) – “When travelling to different countries I slowly discover the art and fun of photography.  I am inspired by people, their emotions, but also by colours and unusual frames. I think that amateur photographers should be not only sensitive, but also curious.”

Title: Two girls kissing history

Author’s description: It all happened during the Vevcani Mask festival in Struga, FYR Macedonia, where the leadership and charisma of the former Yugoslav leader Tito is still alive. Two girls in masks (Lithuanian, Macedonian) kissing a happy guy dressed as Tito show tolerance as well as respect for cultural diversity, other nations and different ages.

Category 3: Europe tomorrow: sustainable development, ecology, environment.

Miroslav Argalas, Zilinsky Region (SK) – “I like walking with an open heart and catching the moments in pictures. I come from a small town called Dolny Kubin in North Slovakia, where the beauty of nature keeps me outside on walks. The camera is my best friend – I take it with me wherever I go and for whatever I do.”

Title: After the big storm

Author’s description: The High Tratas Park used to be full of green trees and was very popular with tourists because of its natural, untouched look. However, in November 2004 a strong windstorm destroyed this Slovak pride. The picture was taken in June 2008 and shows the impact of the catastrophe. It just cannot be erased or returned. We should be aware that climate change can radically change our environment.

AER “Snapshot: Europe!” photo competition in brief:

 Launched this year for the first time, AER´s “Snapshot: Europe!” photo competition gave young Europeans the opportunity to express their European identity in all its diversity.

Young participants had the chance to communicate their very personal perspective on contemporary topics and display their talent. Moreover, they had the possibility of presenting their regions to other young people from across Europe. The competition was open to young people aged 18 to 30 years, active in their regions or involved in AER youth activities such as the Youth Regional Network or Youth Team. Over 160 photos from 44 European regions and 21 countries were received.

The photos will be on display until October 15th, at Espace Wallonie à Bruxelles (25-27 rue du Marché-aux-Herbes, 1000 Bruxelles)

For more information: [email protected]

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Thematic dossier n°22 on Regions energising Europe – Autumn 2009

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Regions energising Europe

Table of contents:

  • Editorial: Michèle Sabban, AER President
  • Expert hails ‘climate revolution’: AER brings together the Climate Group, GE Energy and the United Nations Development Programme to tackle climate change and prepare the COP15
  • Partnership in action
  • Interview: Håkan Sandgren, president of AER’s committee 1 on economy and regional development
  • From the bottom up
  • Regions demand more input in climate negotiations
  • Skating on thin ice

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AER seminar on youth entrepreneurship: Regions Supporting Innovative Business and Social Profit

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Sarajevo (BiH), 29 September 2009

As Europe faces the global effects of climate change and economic recession, its regions came together yesterday and today to invest in the best resource available to tackle these challenges: Europe’s young people.

In this European Year of Creativity and Innovation, an Assembly of European Regions (AER) seminar on youth entrepreneurship gathered regional politicians and experts from across wider Europe to develop “creative ideas for innovative business and social profit”.

The seminar was hosted by the Sarajevo canton of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a territory with around 50% youth employment and hence enormous potential for developing youth entrepreneurship schemes.

In exploring the various forms of youth entrepreneurship, the seminar focused on stimulating small business start-ups by offering young people information, training, networking, and financing opportunities.

The seminar also identified regional good practices that have turned young people’s innovative ideas into reality and encouraged their active contribution to change and development in their regions.

President of AER Committee 3 (Culture, Education and Youth), Lower Austria minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner, said that the seminar “comes at an opportune time considering the global economic situation and its negative effects on the labour market, especially among young people. Offering a specific education in entrepreneurship can give young people a better chance of making the transition from education to employment, and their creativity and energy can foster social stability in dealing with the long-term consequences of the economic crisis.”

For more information: [email protected]

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Local government leaders gather in New York to meet UN Secretary General

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Raise awareness on their support to the Long Term Cooperative Action

New York (USA), 21 September 2009

The delegation of local governments greeted on Monday by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has accomplished its mission. Parallel to the 64th UN General Assembly, business, civil society and political leaders from around the world have gathered in New York for the Climate Week event, mainly to urge lead climate change negotiators to secure a fair and binding climate change deal in Copenhagen this December, and to cope with the urgency of climate change. AER president Ms Michèle Sabban was part of the delegation which handed over a statement to Mr Ban Ki Moon, in which the recognition of the role played by regions in the fight against climate change was emphasised.

The delegation itself is a testament to the great diversity of all stakeholders involved in the fight against climate change, as it brings together leaders from the business world as well as from the political world, coming from as geographically distant places as Québec and France. As local governments are responsible for implementing the great majority of mitigation and adaptation measures needed to reduce the level of greenhouse gas emissions, it was indeed crucial to raise awareness about the work that they are doing to support an agreement in Copenhagen. The goal was also to ensure that local governments will not be left out in the Long Term Cooperative Action which will be adopted this December.

AER president Sabban, who is also vice-president of the French region of Ile-de-France, presented the different policies carried out by her region to promote the emergence of new electric cars, thus illustrating the role regions can play in the advent of a green and dynamic economy.

Following this meeting day, AER does not intend to loosen the pressure on negotiators and efforts in the struggle against climate change. It will carry on several activities linked with climate change until – and beyond – the Copenhagen summit.

What they said:

Michèle Sabban: “In order to tackle the issue of climate change, I am honoured to represent the 270 member regions of AER here at the United Nations. Our regions did not wait for the states to represent negotiations during the Copenhagen Conference. Regions have been fighting the effects of climate change for a long time already. By promoting innovation, developing and spreading low-carbon public policies, regions are doing everything in their power to secure the success of the future agreement in Copenhagen. AER is open to every regional decision maker looking for solutions to the problem of climate change. Indeed, it is about time that political and economic powers join their efforts with the public to implement truly worldwide and fair solutions. Copenhagen is our last chance to take up that important challenge, we cannot afford a setback. I want to thank the Climate Group, the UN and the City of New York who, thanks to this initiative of a “Climate Week”, allowed us to make the regions’ voice heard at the highest level.”

Jean Charest, Québec Premier (CDN): “We are 70 days away from the post-Kyoto negotiations, this is time for all governments, at each level, to closely collaborate against climate change. In the fields of energy and environment, we know that federated states, provinces, Länders and regions are pioneers. That is the reason why I hand today this declaration over to the secretary general of the United Nations, in the names of the leaders of federated states and regions, as well as networks representing hundreds of regions all over the world. This declaration states our essential contribution in the fight against climate change and affirms our commitment to actively contribute to target the goals which will be fixed at the Copenhagen Conference in December”.
Steve Howard, CEO of The Climate Group: “Through Climate Week NY°C, we have united business, government and civil society to call for a fair, ambitious and binding global climate deal. At this critical moment in time, we must summon the collective will and urge our world leaders to secure a global deal in Copenhagen. In doing so, we will help safeguard our planet for future generations while helping to unlock the full potential of a clean, green, prosperous future.”
For more information: [email protected]
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Countdown to Copenhagen: AER gives regions a voice during Climate Week at the UN in New York

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Less than a hundred days before the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, a delegation of 10 representatives selected by the Climate Group will take part in the “Climate Week“ opening ceremony taking place in New York alongside the United Nations General Assembly. As a member of the delegation, Michèle Sabban, president of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) will meet with Ban-Ki Moon, UN Secretary General, on Monday 21st September.

President Sabban, along with other members of the delegation including Jean Charest, Quebec premier, will hand over a statement to Ban-Ki Moon and Climate Group patron, former UK prime minister Tony Blair, on behalf of regional associations around the globe. The statement aims to secure the recognition of the regions’ role in the Long Term Cooperation Agreement.

“As the last negotiations concerning the Copenhagen Summit are taking place, the European regions are as vigilant as ever on the role they will be given in the final document,” Ms Sabban said. “It is important to recall that the regions implement most of the public policies linked to the struggle against climate change, so it makes sense for them to be included in the treaty negotiating and drafting process. I add that our 270 member regions very often go further than simply implementing policies: they take initiatives and carry out innovative projects. That is the message I will have the honour of delivering to the United Nations on Monday.”

Ms Sabban will also take part in a round-table conference on electric vehicles and present the activities in this field of her home region Ile-de-France.

Background:
Climate Week is an occasion to increase public and world leaders’ awareness on the importance of taking decisive action in the fight against climate change. It will also show that through a combination of “green” solutions and regional and national actions, it is possible to reach a global agreement that measures up to the challenges posed by climate change.

For more information: [email protected]

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