Regulatory and financial mechanisms: a key to achieve the EU’s 2050 GHG targets

Greens member, Zdeněk Hřib (mayor of Prague) stressed the importance of the MFF in the European Union’s targets to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 during the discussion on the state of play of the negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 on Thursday 24 September in the COTER Commission. He also argued that these targets can only be achieved if the EU puts regulatory and financial mechanisms in place that provide the necessary means for local authorities to act.

With the participation of the external speaker Gert Jan Koopman, Director General DG BUDG, the debate focused on the available funding for the next financial period as well as the current state of the negotiations. During the debate, Mr Koopman highlighted the investment in the future, with the Green Deal initiatives obtaining the 30% share of the budget. He also mentioned the disappointing reduction of the initial funding allocation, with the worry that it might not be available on January 1^st if the negotiations do not conclude in time. He finally called for the local and regional authorities to get involved with their respective national governments, as the they will have a major role in the ratification of Next Generation EU.

Chaired by Isabelle Boudineau (FR/PES), the 4^th COTER Meeting also discussed and adopted three opinions on public transport, outermost regions and EU Cohesion Policy in the COVID-19 aftermath.