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Meetings of AER President

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The month of June has proven to be very fruitful for AER with a wide set of visits and meetings by AER President.

Indeed, after having met with Mrs Michèle Sabban in Paris (FR) on 17 June to talk about the future of the Eurodyssey Programme as well as strengthening the cooperation between AER and the R20, AER President accompanied by Magnus Berntsson, Vice President Treasurer and Jean-Claude Gayssot, Vice President in charge of Membership, met with Jean-Paul Bachy, President of the Committee ‘International Affairs’ of the Association of French Regions. Their discussion aimed at furthering the cooperation between French regions and AER. Following this positive meeting, a next meeting with the Presidents of French regions will be organised.

On 21 June, Dr. Özsan Bozatli addressed the Crans Montana Forum in Rabat (MA) which gathered numerous Heads of States, political leaders and business representatives, therefore increasing the visibility of AER. Meetings with Mrs Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, President of Malta or Mr Musa Xhaferri, Vice-Prime Minister of Macedonia among many others were the opportunity to discuss these countries’ involvement in AER.

On 24-25 June, the President met with numerous EC and CoR politicians and high-ranking officials, as well as entrepreneurs, in order to discuss potential partnership opportunities with AER.

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New President for the AER Economy and Regional development Committee

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On 25-27 April, over 100 AER members met in Dnipropetrovsk (UA) in order to attend, among other events, the Committee 1 Plenary Meeting. With the nomination of the Committee 1 President as the key point on the agenda, members nominated Mr. Marian VASILE, Timis (RO), as their candidate, which will be voted upon at the forthcoming AER General Assembly.

During the meeting, members exchanged on the Committee’s various thematic issues, from the adoption of the Hampshire (UK), Limousin (F) and Fribourg (CH) political reports, to the cooperation with the R20 and European projects, and the incorporation of the [email protected] programme as a transversal activity within AER.

Alongside the event, the working group on Rural Development, chaired by Gelderland (NL), and the working group on Regional Airports, chaired by Østfold (N), gave way to fruitful discussions on the ongoing and future activities of the groups.

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AER fights for sustainable energy at climate change conference

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The voice of the AER, carried by its President Michèle Sabban and over thirty member regions, was strongly heard during the climate change conference, co-organised with the R20 on 31 January and 1 February, in Vienna (A).

Already prior to the beginning of the conference, the AER President had the opportunity to present the work of the Assembly on energy policies, youth mobility (Eurodyssey) and crisis summits during a meeting with José Manuel Barosso, President of the European Commission and Arnold Schwarzenegger, R20 Founding President. A further meeting on these topics has been planned with Mr Barosso, which will allow in particular the engagement of AER within the European Commission’s deliberations in terms of green jobs’ creation and the environmental New Deal, on which the Commission will work throughout 2013.

During the conference opening session, Governor Schwarzenegger emphasised principles that AER values highly: by stating that “politicians must be at the service of the people rather than at the service of parties” the Governor strongly called on elected representatives to rise above their party when it comes to the climate issue, as they do within the AER, which does not function by political group. He also requested elected officials not to wait for hypothetical national or international agreements in order to act, but rather to be proactive and create their own initiatives. Austrian Chancellor Werner FAYMANN illustrated in this regard the example of the Burgenland Region (A), which went from no electricity production in 1997 to a now energy self-sufficient region. Elected AER representatives, Leen Verbeek, Queen’s Commissioner of Flevoland (NL) and Vasco Cordeiro, President of the Azores (P) also gave proof of their pro-active policies in this field and of the resources and ways in which they have responded to the challenges of sustainable development.

President Sabban highlighted that the R20 and AER are glad to contribute with their network of regional representatives, experts and financial partners for concrete major projects. The latest example being the signing of a contract to provide Rio de Janeiro (BR) with ecological public lighting. However, Europe only accounts for 11% of greenhouse gas emissions. The struggle is therefore global as climate change affects everyone, even the “good performers”. With this in mind, the AER President announced the need and her willingness to assist in the establishment of an African, Asian and South American Assembly of Regions.

The battle for a sustainable world and green jobs for our youth, will be continued by the Assembly of European Regions in cooperation with the R20, for which President Sabban was re-elected President of the Board Friday, February 1st 2013.

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Implementing the Sustainable Energy Future

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The voice of the Assembly of European Regions (AER), carried by its President Michèle Sabban and the over thirty member regions present at this occasion, was strongly heard during the climate change conference, co-organised with the R20 on 31 January and 1 February, in Vienna (A)

Vienna (F), 1st February 2013

Already prior to the beginning of the conference, the AER President had the opportunity to present the work of the Assembly on energy policies, youth mobility (Eurodyssey) and crisis summits during a meeting with José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission and Arnold Schwarzenegger, R20 Founding President. A further meeting on these topics has been planned with Mr Barroso, which will allow in particular the engagement of AER within the European Commission’s deliberations in terms of green jobs’ creation and the environmental New Deal, on which the Commission will work throughout 2013.

During the conference opening session, Governor Schwarzenegger emphasised principles that AER values highly: by stating that “politicians must be at the service of the people rather than at the service of parties” the Governor strongly called on elected representatives to rise above their party when it comes to the climate issue, as they do within the AER, which does not function by political group. He also requested elected officials not to wait for hypothetical national or international agreements in order to act, but rather to be proactive and create their own initiatives. Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann illustrated in this regard the example of the Burgenland Region (A), which went from no electricity production in 1997 to a now energy self-sufficient region. Elected AER representatives, Leen Verbeek, Queen’s Commissioner of Flevoland (NL) and Vasco Cordeiro, President of the Azores (P) also gave proof of their pro-active policies in this field and of the resources and ways in which they have responded to the challenges of sustainable development.

President Sabban highlighted that the R20 and AER are glad to contribute with their network of regional representatives, experts and financial partners for concrete major projects. The latest example being the signing of a contract to provide Rio de Janeiro (BR) with ecological public lighting. However, Europe only accounts for 11% of greenhouse gas emissions. The struggle is therefore global as climate change affects everyone, even the “good performers”. With this in mind, the AER President announced the need and her willingness to assist in the establishment of an African, Asian and South American Assembly of Regions.

The battle for a sustainable world and green jobs for our youth, will be continued by the Assembly of European Regions in cooperation with the R20, for which President Sabban was re-elected President of the Board this Friday, February 1st .

The Assembly of European Regions (AER – aer.eu) is the largest independent network of regions in wider Europe. Bringing together more than 250 regions from 35 countries and 16 interregional organisations, AER is the political voice of its members and a forum for interregional co-operation.

For more information: [email protected]

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The AER and R20 pursue their global green growth crusade in Brazil

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Strasbourg (F), 14 January 2013

Michèle Sabban, Vice President of the Ile-de-France Region (F) and President of the Assembly of European Regions, is on a mission to Brazil between the 12th and 19th of January 2013, as part of her role within the R20 (Regions of Climate Action), for which she has been appointed Board President by the former Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

She will meet with the governors of the states of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in order to present the R2O mission: supporting its members in the implementation of concrete projects in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors, resulting in both the creation of green jobs and the reduction of CO2 emissions.

Michèle Sabban is indeed accompanying Mr Schwarzenegger’s green crusade, in which territories are role models for the rest of the international community. In less than a year since it started operating, in early 2012, the R20 was able to generate for several of its members – regions and federal states – a first portfolio of up to $1 billion in fundable projects with its technology partners. To date, the R20 is finalising the funding of several hundred million dollars coming from private investors for such projects.

Michèle Sabban, well aware of the importance of emerging economies, will explore in Brazil – after her previous mission in China with provincial and national authorities – the interest in working together on this paradigm shift.
The Assembly of European Regions is a founding member of the R20. Together, the two organisations are mobilising for green growth in Europe and around the world.

The Assembly of European Regions (AER – aer.eu) is the largest independent network of regions in wider Europe. Bringing together more than 250 regions from 35 countries and 16 interregional organisations, AER is the political voice of its members and a forum for interregional co-operation.

More information: [email protected]

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Rio+20 : where States fail, Regions step forward

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Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), 22 June 2012

“We must recognize that the states and international organizations have once again missed an opportunity to ensure a sustainable future for our planet. But despite this failure, we, the regions and federated states, continue to forge ahead in Rio,” stated Michèle Sabban, President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) and of R20.

“We will continue to repeat this until everyone understands: the regions play an essential role in the battle against climate change, because it is their job to implement between 50 and 80% of all adaptation and mitigation measures. It is certainly worth celebrating the fact that some people understand this, particularly within certain European institutions. But we must still convince numerous international governments and organizations of the necessity of taking urgent action! I call now upon every region and federated state to take up the sword and shield and act with the states of Europe and the world as our witness, to prove once and for all that a green future is possible,” concluded Mrs. Sabban before a panel of sub-national political decision-makers.

The Assembly of European Regions is now encouraging its 250-plus members to sign the Rio+20 Declaration of the Regions. This declaration is just as ambitious – it establishes, in particular, commitment to reduce GHG emissions up to 30% – as it is progressive, since it recognizes the diversity of the regions of Europe and allows them to sign up for various commitments depending on their level of development. The President of the AER will then deliver the declaration to the COP 18 (from November 26 to December 7, 2012 in Qatar), which will be essentially dedicated to sustainable development.

The Assembly of European Regions (AER – aer.eu) is the largest independent network of regions in wider Europe. Bringing together more than 250 regions from 35 countries and 16 interregional organisations, AER is the political voice of its members and a forum for interregional co-operation.

For more information: [email protected]

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Diplomatic dialogue on sustainable development between AER, R20 and U.S. Federated States

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In Washington, European regions are placed at the heart of the 21st century’s political leadership

Strasbourg, 23 April 2012

Michèle Sabban, President of the Assembly of European Regions, attended an official visit in Washington last week, accompanied by the Executive Director of R20 and a delegation of Presidents and Vice-Presidents of the regions of Açores (P), Corse (F), Istanbul (TR), Languedoc-Roussillon (F) and Wallonie (B). Within the framework of cooperation between the AER and the R20 (Regions of Climate Action) – of which Ms. Sabban has recently been elected as the new President of the Board – the delegation met with senior representatives of the U.S. State Department, in particular with Reta Jo Lewis, Special Representative of Hillary Clinton for Global Intergovernmental Affairs, and Kathleen Doherty, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Asian Affairs. These meetings were part of the ‘Smart Partnership Dialogue’ developed by the State Department, which aims to forge relationships with local and regional authorities throughout the world, along the lines of the formal agreements already signed with the Chinese and Brazilian governments regarding their states and provinces.

The focus of these meetings was to initiate cooperation between European regions and the U.S. Federated States in the field of green growth and sustainable development. “This visit is of strategic importance for European regions. It has given us the opportunity to highlight the critical role regions have in these areas, to build relationships in view of Rio+20, and to lay the foundations for a longer-term partnership in sustainable development.” concluded Ms. Sabban. “We will introduce another form of diplomacy between the two sides of the Atlantic, a ‘smart partnership’ between European regions and U.S. states, which in addition thanks to R20 will also build ties among African, Asian and Latin American regions.” AER is from now on the privileged European counterpart of the U.S. State Department on issues of sustainable development at subnational level.

The AER and R20 Delegation also met with several fellow associations, representing states and cities in the United States (Council of State Governments, National League of Cities), as well as with officials in charge of developing the U.S. position at the next Earth Summit, Rio+20. NGOs active in the field of sustainable development were also present, and showed their support for the projects carried out by R20 and AER with regard to the evaluation of regional policies to fight against climate change.

Green growth is at the heart of the diplomatic relations between the EU and the U.S. The EU delegation in Washington also supported this approach and will accompany AER and R20 during the next stages of this new dynamic dialogue.

The Assembly of European Regions (AER – aer.eu) is the largest independent network of regions in wider Europe. Bringing together more than 250 regions from 35 countries and 16 interregional organisations, AER is the political voice of its members and a forum for interregional co-operation.

For more information: [email protected]

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European regions and R20 committed to green growth

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Geneva (CH), 8 March 2012

More than 200 regional government councillors and experts from around the world attended the conference “On the road to Rio: regions building the green economy” organised by the Assembly of European Regions (AER) and the R20 (Regions of Climate Action) in Geneva. The purpose of this event was to emphasize with concrete examples the important role that regions and federal states play in the transition to a sustainable green economy. The conference allowed regional politicians, representatives of institutions and business leaders to show that the fight against climate change cannot succeed without building a sustainable economy, by focusing on practical solutions and employing efficient standardized assessment tools.

“What unites AER and R20 is the certainty that economic growth and the fight against climate change are not incompatible,” said Michèle Sabban, President of AER. “Tomorrow’s growth will be green growth or there will be no growth at all, and it will rely on our regions, which are the main actors of change in the field”, she added.

Examples of the ability of European regions to face environmental challenges were given by several members of AER: Kenneth Backgard, County Councillor of Norrbotten (S) and President of the AER Working Group on Climate Change and Energy, Marianne Saenen, Member of Parliament of Wallonie (B), Yves Pietrasanta, Vice-President of Languedoc-Roussillon (F) in charge of Sustainable Development, Environment and Energy, and Rodrigo Oliveira, Undersecretary for European Affairs and External Cooperation of the Autonomous Government of the Azores (P).

The message has now been heard by the Heads of State and Governments. In the presence of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Reta Jo Lewis, Special Representative of Hillary Clinton, invited President Sabban to come to Washington with a delegation of European policitians. The aim of this mission is to bring together the U.S. Federated States and Europe’s regions to initiate joint projects in sustainable development. Being now aware that 50 to 80% of the actions having a positive impact on the environment are taken at the subnational level, the U.S. federal government is therefore particularly eager to join this project.

Today the General Assembly of R20 has elected Michèle Sabban as the President of its Board. The R20 was launched in the late 2010 with the objective of gathering the world’s regional authorities that are ready to implement concrete solutions against climate change. Arnold Schwarzenegger stays the Honorary President of R20.

The Assembly of European Regions (AER – aer.eu) is the largest independent network of regions in wider Europe. Bringing together more than 250 regions from 35 countries and 16 interregional organisations, AER is the political voice of its members and a forum for interregional co-operation.

For more information: [email protected]

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The AER Takes the Silk Road In North East Asia

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An AER delegation goes to Seoul to meet the members of NEAR, its North East Asian counterpart

Seoul, South Korea, 2 November 2011

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) was the guest of honour at the 5th International Forum organised by its counterpart, the Association of North East Asia Regional Governments (NEAR). A delegation led by Michèle Sabban, AER President, went to Seoul to attend this event. The delegation was formed by Kenneth Backgård, President of the AER working group ‘Energy and climate change’ and Regional Councillor of Norrbotten (S), Preben Jensen, Vice-president of the Committee ‘Economy and regional development’ and Regional Councillor of Syddanmark (DK), and Jacek Pilawa, President of the subcommittee ‘International Commission’ and Regional Councillor of Dolnoslaskie (PL).

Together with business leaders, they presented examples of projects and cooperation plans led by European regions in the fields of energy, environment and transports.

Mrs. SABBAN brought into focus the fight against global warming and invited the NEAR members to join the R20, a group of regions and federated states, whose main priority is to establish cooperation between infra-national governments in order to ensure a sustainable development for the planet.

« Europe and Asia have decided to build bridges between their organisations’ member regions to make the voice of the regions heard and amplify the R20, which aims to develop solutions as a counterbalance to G20 » Michèle Sabban and Jae Hyo Kim, General Secretary of NEAR, declared. « Our ambition is to rise up together to the greatest challenges of the 21Ist century in order to build together new economic models, that will favour green investments and the development of infrastructures to fight against climate change », they added.

Created in 1996, NEAR brings together 70 regional governments from South Korea, China, Japan, Mongolia, Russia and North Korea.

For more information: [email protected]

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Climate Action rests with the regions!

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After a meeting in Brussels on January 13, AER President Michèle Sabban and the Commissioner for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard agreed on a way forward to overcome the economic and ecological crisis


Strasbourg (F), 13 January 2011. 

Michèle Sabban, President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) met this morning with EU Commissioner for Climate Action, Connie Hedegaard to report on the policies implemented by European regions in the fields of adaptation to climate change and energy.

“I salute the commitment of Hedegaard and, more broadly, the new Directorate General responsible for Climate Action, for their interest in terms of implementation of energy policies on the ground” said Michèle Sabban. “It is now undeniable that the regions are in pole position to lead Europe towards sustainable growth models. Many of our members surveyed have already developed concrete action plans in the short and long term, some of which go beyond the objectives proposed by the European Commission (EC) in the energy-climate package. We must follow their example and start helping to build synergies between local strategies and European targets, “concluded Michèle Sabban.

Energy efficiency in the Regions of Europe

The Commissioner and the President of the AER agreed on the importance of a low-consumption Europe and the role that innovation plays in this regional context.

Michèle Sabban was able to present a series of diverse and innovative regional approaches highlighting the potential in local solutions.

Climate Change and Cohesion Policy

In its last recommendations, the EU Commission encourages EU member states to go beyond the “3×20%” objective. Several regions in Europe already produce energy from renewable sources in bigger proportions than the actual objective. However, it is important that Europe keeps and strengthens its leading position in the world. To this end, the AER President and the Commissioner share the opinion that climate action and regional development go hand in hand and that solutions for both have to be developed in an integrated way.
The recognition of the climate change issue and of the other fields pertaining to energy is a requirement for sustainable development in European territories. « Climate change must be taken into account in the Cohesion Policy, both in the case of convergence in order to assure the sustainable development of the weakest regions or in the framework of Objective 2, since it’s the whole European territory that must face these problems. » explained Michèle Sabban after her meeting with the Commissioner.

The regions of the world are already in the action.

Michèle Sabban had the opportunity to present another regional initiative to Mrs Hedegaard in the field of climate change, of which the AER is a founding member: the R20

This group consisting of 35 regions from 5 continents, was launched on the Governors’ World Summit on the 15th and 16th November in Sacramento. It aims to introduce efficient and concrete actions in the field of renewable energies, energy efficiency and climate policies. The objective of R20 is to boost public-private partnerships, exchange good practice, promote development of green innovations and to push pilot clean energy projects.

For more information: [email protected]

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Official launch of the R20: Regions of the world take action

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By signing the Climate Action Charter in Davis, California, the AER President commits the Action Tank alongside the R20

California (USA), 16 November 2010.

Just days after her reelection to the presidency of the Assembly of European Regions (AER), Michèle Sabban visited the 3rd Summit of Governors for Climate in order to sign on behalf of the European Regions, the Charter for Regional Climate Action R20.

It is in California that the R20 has just been formally established. Mrs Sabban was accompanied by representatives from several European regions, who wished to sign the charter on an individual basis: Alba (RO), Flevoland (NL), Azores (P), Istria (HR) and Donetsk (UA); other AER member regions could not make the trip but also expressed interest in this initiative, including Andalucia (E), Lombardia and Puglia (I), Norrbotten (S), Linköping (S) and Istanbul (TR).

“On the eve of COP16 in Cancun, the signing of the Climate Action Charter by sub-national groups sends a strong message to national governments and international institutions. The message is that regions must be recognised for the actions they undertake in support of innovation and adaptation to climate change whilst global policy makers should learn from our ability to develop new forms of cooperation. I am particularly proud that the AER is among the founding members of this movement,” said Michèle SABBAN during the signing.


Background info:
The mission of the R20 will be to develop and implement low-carbon and climate resilient projects through cooperation among subnational governments from around the world.
During its first year, the R20 will facilitate public-private partnerships, share best practices, accelerate the development of green innovations and begin implementing clean energy demonstration projects. Within five years, the R20 aims to have at least twenty subnational governments enact comprehensive low-carbon policies and implement projects, using successful models from progressive subnational leaders as a guide.

For more information: [email protected]

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In Montreal, AER President calls for paradigm shift in the fight against climate change

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During a high-level meeting organized by the UNDP and R20 last Wednesday, the President of the Assembly of European Regions underlined the importance of public-private partnerships in the struggle against climate change and invited its partners to deliver an ‘action-tank’

Montreal, Quebec (CDN), 16 September 2010.

Within the framework of the World Energy Congress held in Montreal, Michèle Sabban, AER President, brought up the steps to be taken by the regions in the world in order to truly fight against climate change. Along with Linda Adams, Secretary of State of the State of California and many business leaders such as GE Energy, the President of the broadest network of Regions in Europe stressed that public-private partnerships are to play an increasing role in the conversion of societies to the effects of climate change. “We have created a link between the largest stakeholders in this battle against climate change: business and regional/federal governments” emphasised Ms. Sabban, “it is through them that innovation emerges today”.

During an event organised at the Biosphère in Montreal by the United Nations Program for Development (UNDP) and the R20, the breakthroughs of the future organisation federating the efforts of local authorities for the diffusion of carbon free technologies were presented together with the precise steps of the future calendar. “These events and meetings constitute important steps towards a new approach of international action”, commented Ms SAabban in her speech. “We have heard a lot about the role of think-thanks in the elaboration of national and international public policies. Today, due to the emergency of the environmental situation, we certainly have to think and debate, but most of all we need to act. That’s why we would like to establish an ‘action- tank’ that is a rapid, efficient and fair intervention tool for sustainable development projects”. Thanks to the regions in the world, the shift between a negotiation based approach to an action based one might be around the corner.

For more information: [email protected]

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GE’s European Center of Research and Development open its doors to European Regions

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Key regional decision makers met to discuss the role of industrial innovations in both sustainable growth strategies and the fight against climate change

Garching/Munich (D), 8 April 2010

AER and GE Energy today commenced a two-day event, “Innovation in Energy and Research Policy” at their European Research and Development Center, “GE Global Research Europe” in Garching near Munich, Germany.

The event will attract regional decision makers from all over Europe as well as key members of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) including AER President Michèle Sabban and General Secretary, Klaus Klipp. The aim of the event is to discuss the role of industry expertise in aiding the European Union’s fight on climate change and to present the important role of enterprises such as GE Energy in the delivery of innovative energy solutions that are needed to do so.

During the two days, delegates will participate in a tour of the research center to observe current GE Energy research projects in relation to solar systems, solar simulation, biogas and carbon fibre manufacturing for energy infrastructure. There will also be discussions between Carlos Härtel, CEO GE Global Research Europe and representatives from the Bavaria region about GE’s applied research strategy, cooperation with the region of Bavaria and links with Bavaria’s innovation strategy.

GE Energy & AER collaboration: Talk global, act local

At this event, key policy decision makers will be invited to witness firsthand the unique and effective relationship between AER and GE Energy in working together to support the European Union’s environmental strategy by implementing actual European solutions on regional and local levels.

“Climate change strategies may be decided at EU level, but it is at the regional level that real action is taken” commented Michèle Sabban, President of AER. “While lengthy international negotiations take place, the regions are gearing up to get to work and act on many key energy related issues, as energy is a multifaceted domain. These include spatial planning, subsidising local energy investments, innovation and education policies, public procurement, transport, awareness-raising and implementing renewables strategies using local resources.”

Ricardo Cordoba, President of GE Energy for Western Europe and Northern Africa commented: “We are proud to open the doors of GE’s European Research and Development Center to discuss recent research developments which demonstrate our commitment to the advancement of 21st century solutions. We feel our expertise plays a vital role in helping accomplish regional concrete objectives. Our relationship has opened a gateway between regional decision makers and GE Energy’s expertise, providing a forum for the exchange of knowledge, experience and benchmarks. The time to act is now and we feel this relationship is a huge step forward towards supporting our governments and tackling climate change head-on.”

AER saw this high level event as an opportunity to gather its working group on climate change and energy. Members of the working group presented the current issues tackled by AER to 25 political representatives from all Europe. They also adopted a roadmap for the future work of the AER in the areas of climate change and energy, especially in view of the COP16 in Mexico in December  2010.

AER is the largest network of regions in wider Europe, with more than 270 regions from 33 countries. AER and GE Energy began their partnership in May 2009 and have since then collaborated on several joint initiatives to raise awareness of the need for cooperation between governments, international institutions, civil society and industry. In November 2009, AER held its general assembly which included delegates from GE Energy, the Climate Group and representative from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). There, 270 regions signed the “Belfort Appeal” which called for more subsidiarity in energy policies.

The following month saw the participation of GE Energy and AER at the Copenhagen World Climate Change Summit. There, they gave their support to the R20 declaration, inspired by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and which echoed the Belfort Appeal’s urgent call for the recognition of the role of regions and federal states in the fight against climate change.

About GE Energy and the Assembly of European Regions

In may 2009, the Assembly of European Regions, the largest independent network of regions in wider Europe and GE Energy, European and global actor launched the “European Regions Energy Day”, a joint initiative that aims to analyze the role of regions in climate protection and energy policy and showcase regional solutions. This event will be the first to bring together regional decision makers and energy experts from all over Europe. It will take place every year in Brussels, from the end of April 2010 onwards.

Indeed, the European regions play a key role in the choice of suitable energy solutions. That is why, Michèle Sabban, President of the  AER and Ricardo Cordoba, President of GE Energy for Western Europe and Northern Africa have  come together to fight the challenges faced by climate change at the European Regional level. This partnership creates a link between recognised energy experts and regional decision makers. The main purpose is to support the EU environmental and energy strategies and to allow the creation of an expertise centre in the energy field for all the European regions.

For more information: [email protected]

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With their Ile-de-France Statement, Regions bring the EU toward post-Kyoto

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Meeting for the first time since Copenhagen, world’s leading Regions gather in view of the 16th Conference of the Parties in Mexico

 Paris (F), 4 March 2010. 
The main leaders of Regions and Federated states, as well as the main regional networks met today in Paris on the invitation of the Ile-de-France Region (F) and the Climate group. Together, in line with the commitments made in Copenhagen at the Climate Leaders Summit, they reaffirmed their major role in the fight against climate change and stated the means of their action.

Michèle Sabban, President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER), reminded the audience that Regions and local governments are implementing 50 to 70% of actions to reduce CO2 emissions in the world. They already develop green economy, aid to individuals, territorial climate plans, and innovative initiatives concerning travelling. “They thus have a know-how and an expertise that states would be smart to take into account! The European Union on its side should fully associate regions in its environmental action, and in the perspective of the future budget for regional policy” Mrs Sabban added. “I take this opportunity to say that AER will carefully read the European Commission’s proposal for the new economic strategy, the so-called Europe 2020”.

A first step for the 2010 agenda on regional action against climate change, the Ile-de-France Statement, emerged from the meeting. This statement specifies the philosophy and the role of the regions to tackle climate change, to preserve the environment and stimulate the green economy. By calling directly the European Union (EU), the leaders gathered underlined notably that they:

– fully support the European Commission and EU member states, the European Parliament as well as civil society actors and the private sector, in order to reinforce the EU’s role and leadership in international negotiations on climate change;

– ask the European leaders to increase the EU Greenhouse gases (GHG) emission reduction target objective, notably in order to encourage developing countries to adopt ambitious objectives of GHG emission reduction.

Thus, the participants to the Ile-de-France conference commit themselves to pay full attention to the EU Budget Review Process, which is currently under way.

AER has supported this initiative for a while. “AER was already present in Copenhagen. It is now up to us, European regions, to carry this statement to European Commissioners, in a cooperative spirit, and to show European citizens that their regional representatives tackle a vital topic for them: the protection of environment and the preservation of our planet”, underlined Mrs Sabban, “My counterparts in our 270 member regions will also relay the decisions to towards every stakeholders they’ll meet. It is the regional level which will push forward the fight against climate change”, Mrs Sabban added during her presentation on the role of partnerships between European and international territories to reach sustainable development.

Jean-Paul Huchon, President of the Region Ile-de-France stated: “Today, in this room, we represent around twenty regions of the world, and through them more than 150 millions inhabitants, and even much more if we consider the networks presents. I do affirm it, we are at the eve of a world of Regions and Federated states. 2010 will be a crucial year, and today is the first step of the stairs that we will climb together, in Bonn, Belem and Los Angeles with California. One of the objectives to reach will be to obtain from COP 16 a decrease of 30% of the GHG emissions for 2030”

Mark Kenber, International Policy Director of The Climate Group, said: “Europe’s regional economies want to lead the low carbon economy and future-proof EU competitiveness, growth and jobs.  Their ability to compete internationally in the clean industrial revolution depends on how fast Europe’s national leaders can increase their ambition for a truly integrated European climate and energy policy.  We are working with over 60 developed and developing regions around the world who are already leading their national counterparts in creating important laboratories for low carbon development ahead of an international climate deal.”

This conference was the starting point of numerous stages for regional diplomacy before the 16th Conference of the Parties in Mexico (29 November-10 December 2010): the preparation of negotiations in Bonn (31 May-11 June), the World Summit of Presidents of regions and Governors of federated states on Climate Change in Los Angeles, around the launch of the R20 coalition by Governor Schwarzenegger, which will constitute a new step in the redefinition of the relations between Northern and Southern Regions at global level (23-24 September).

Among the Regions and Federal states present at this event: Aragon, Catalonia, Basque country (E), Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westfalia (D), Bretagne, Ile-de-France, Rhône-Alpes (F), Tuscany (I), Azores (P), Wielkopolska (PL), Scotland, Wales (UK), Flanders, Wallonie (B), Jämtland (S), Quebec (CDN), California (USA), State of Para (Brazil), Oriental Province (Morocco), Delta State (Nigeria), Algeria.

The Climate Group

The Climate Group is an independent, not-for-profit organisation working internationally with government and business leaders to advance smart policies and technologies to cut global emissions and accelerate a low carbon economy.  Its global coalition of 78 leading companies, states, regions and cities around the world recognise the economic and environmental imperatives of taking decisive action now. The Climate Group was founded in 2004 and has operations in Australia, China, Europe, India and North America.  For the Climate Group’s alliance of states and regions see: www.theclimategroup.org/programs/states-and-regions/  

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Big build-up, fizzle finish? Regions pledge to save the hopes of Copenhagen

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In spite of the failure of the Copenhagen Summit to deliver a long term agreement, the Assembly of European Regions and its member regions pledge to pursue their efforts in the struggle against climate change

“Although we expected this result, we are very disappointed about the outcome of the Copenhagen Conference. Heads of State have really missed on a unique opportunity to fight global warming. Unfortunately, they tried to protect their own advantages, and made only cautious offers”. This is the first reaction of Michèle Sabban, President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER), when the failure of Copenhagen climate change conference was confirmed.

The Copenhagen agreement between the 193 Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is indeed a minima-agreement: it is not binding, and it does not establish a deadline for a new treaty, while the Kyoto protocol will expire in 2012. The only two progresses are the recognition of a 2 degrees Celsius limit to the rise of the global temperature, as well as a solidarity effort towards developing countries through a 30 billion financial aid until 2012, and 100 billion per year in the following years.

“I want to stress that the failure of the States to find an ambitious agreement for the planet will not influence our determination in finding innovative solutions, in setting up our own criteria and deadlines for increasing the furniture and use of renewable energies in our territories. For us, Copenhagen was a success indeed, and what is really happening on the international scene is the constitution of a true diplomacy of the regions” Ms Sabban added. “The launch of the R20, which aims to organise this emerging diplomacy of the territories, represents a major event for international life, and will a have a major impact policy-making at the international level. AER obviously supports this initiative, and will help by sharing its experience in the field of interregional cooperation.”

AER President concludes: “One of Copenhagen’s issues found here its solution: several actors are already starting working, in spite of the setting or not of an ambitious agreement. They are already producing the necessary changes. We will certainly not wait for next conference in December in Mexico to act!” Thanks to the creation of its “Action tank” in 2010, AER will unite all key actors, regions, federal states and economic stakeholders to deliver concrete actions to territories. A calendar for 2010 activities is under preparation.

 

Reminder of AER’s activities in the field of energy:

First European Regions Energy Day, Brussels, 29 April 2010:
AER and GE Energy establish a yearly cooperation meeting between regional decision makers and European energy experts. This day aims to propose regional responses to current energy challenges and to prepare the future of regional energy for generations to come. Economic efficiency, security of supply and respect for the environment are the major challenges that face the regions.

Peer Reviews: following this method initiated by the AER, representatives from member regions go to their counterparts and explore with them the best adapted solutions for them to establish adaption and mitigation measures to tackle climate change.

Interreg IVC MORE4NRG project brings AER together with 11 partner regions to develop sustainable energy strategies through exchange of experiences. This initiative shows that regions play a key role in the development of policies and regulations; regions can also provide national authorities with information on what is happening on the ground and assess energy demand at local level.

Survey on energy policies led by AER at the end of 2009 among its member regions*. The answers showed that 78% of the member regions (currently 270) have already implemented a climate policy in their territories. The final conclusions of this study will be presented during the European Regions Energy Day.
*66 regions from 24 countries already answered

AER-Fedarene Declaration (European Federation of Regional Energy and Environment Agencies): since 2006, 96 European regions signed this declaration, which is a strategic tool translating broad energy objectives into more specific ones and a commitment of regions on measurable targets.

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