As part of the ICLEI European Regional Executive Committee, Mayor of Turku Minna Arve will lead local action on Circular Economy and Climate Action to address Europe’s greatest challenges.
25 Jan 2024, Brussels, Belgium – Mayors of the ICLEI European Regional Executive Committee (RexCom) gathered in Brussels (Belgium) to discuss and renew their shared commitment to achieving climate neutrality and advancing the implementation of the European Green Deal at the local level. As part of their RexCom mandate, mayors and other representatives from Aalborg (Denmark), Antwerp (Belgium), Bethlehem (Palestine), Freiburg (Germany), the Green Metropolitan Region of Arnhem-Nijmegen (the Netherlands), Matosinhos (Portugal), Rotterdam (The Netherlands), Utrecht (The Netherlands), Tirana (Albania), Turku (Finland), Växjö (Sweden), Vitoria-Gasteiz (Spain), and Wrocław (Poland), are calling for deeper exchange between local governments and the national and European levels to drive sustainability legislation and regulation, as well as more innovative structural approaches to financing.
At the meeting, the Regional Executive Committee underlined the need for a sustainable, multi-level governance approach to ensure the European Union (EU) achieves climate neutrality by 2050 and that the objectives outlined in the Paris Agreement are upheld. The meeting was complemented by strategic exchanges with key European decision makers, including the European Directorate-General for Environment and the European Directorate-General for Energy. In her role as a REXCom member, Mayor of Turku Minna Arve will act as an ambassador for Circular Economy and Climate Action and will lead local action in this area.
”Intensifying the cooperation between cities and national governments as well as European and International institutions is crucial for a successful Green Transition in Europe and Globally. ICLEI is well placed to advance this and Europe is the global frontrunner in ambitious Climate Policy and Circular Economy. In Turku Climate Action, Circular Economy and Nature are at the core of our City Strategy and actions. We are co-creating the solutions together with our citizens, businesses, universities and other partners and I know that we have a lot to offer!“, says Mayor Minna Arve.
“Time and time again over the past year, we have seen a commitment from national and European leaders to work across governing levels to make decisions around climate planning, financing, implementation and monitoring hand-in-hand with the local governments that are on the frontline of the climate emergency. We are committed to seizing this momentum and to continuing to support the implementation of innovative governance structures that make full use of the expertise, ambition, and commitment of local governments to usher in a just and climate-neutral future,” notes Wolfgang Teubner, Regional Director for ICLEI Europe.
Another key milestone for ICLEI in working towards these objectives before the EU elections will be its involvement in the “Translating the EU Green Deal into local actions” conference on 15 March 2024 hosted by the Flemish Government. The event will bring together 550 Mayors and local government representatives in Brussels to send a powerful message via a final “Declaration” to EU policy makers that the successful implementation of the European Green Deal can only be achieved by the empowerment of local and regional governments as key agents of change.
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability is a global network of more than 2,500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. Active in 125 countries, we influence sustainability policy and drive local action for low emission, nature-based, equitable, resilient and circular development. ICLEI Europe provides members in Europe, the Middle East and West Asia with a voice on European and international stages, a platform to connect with peers, and tools to drive positive environmental, economic and social change. ICLEI Europe works closely with an extended network of local and regional governments and partners on a broad range of topics.
As a membership association, ICLEI receives its mandate from its Member local governments and municipal organisations. On a regional level ICLEI Europe does this through the European Regional Executive Committee (REXCom), who are representing ICLEI’s Members in Europe, Middle East and West Asia. In addition to advancing the development of Local Green Deals and securing net-zero emissions, each REXCom member holds a portfolio for one or more of twelve topics: Climate Neutral Cities, Governance Innovation, Sustainable and Innovation Procurement, Circular Economy, Built Environment, Culture and Heritage, Justice, Equity and Democracy, Biodiversity and Nature-Based Solutions, Resilience and Climate Adaptation, Sustainable Energy Systems, Green Digital Transformation, Sustainable Mobility, and Sustainable Food Systems.
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