(AGENPARL) – mer 26 ottobre 2022 [Image]
Ref. CG056(2022)
Environment: The Congress calls for the drafting of an Additional Protocol to the European Charter of Local Self-Government
“This entails empowering local and regional authorities to take a more active role in fighting climate change. For instance, local authorities should have a fair share of the powers for tackling environmental issues at local level, along with the necessary funding and some room for manoeuvre,” said co-rapporteur Belinda Gottardi (Italy, SOC/G/PD).
The Congress also called for increased citizen participation regarding environmental issues, intermunicipal and inter-regional co-operation and environmental protection networks and associations. As youth delegate Zoé Elkær Nicot (Denmark) pointed out, it is essential to guarantee citizens adequate procedural rights.
“As local and regional authorities, we provide many services related to the environment such as regulation of air pollution, noise abatement, waste disposal, transport, drinking water supply and spatial planning. We are willing to take on our share of responsibility. However, we also believe that our crucial role in protecting a safe and healthy environment must be legally recognised,” said co-rapporteur Levan Zhorzholiani (Georgia) in conclusion.
See also:
Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
Institutional Communication Unit
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities is an institution of the Council of Europe, responsible for strengthening local and regional democracy in its 46 member states. Composed of two chambers – the Chamber of Local Authorities and the Chamber of Regions – and three committees, it brings together 612 elected officials representing more than 130 000 local and regional authorities.
President of the Congress: Leendert Verbeek (Netherlands, SOC/G/PD), President of the Chamber of Local Authorities: Bernd Vöhringer (Germany, EPP/CCE), President of the Chamber of Regions: Harald Sonderegger (Austria, EPP/CCE).
Political groups: Group of Socialists, Greens and Progressive Democrats (SOC/G/PD), Group of the European Peoples Party (EPP/CCE), Independent Liberal and Democratic Group (ILDG), European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR).
Council of Europe/Conseil de l’Europe, Avenue de l’Europe, Strasbourg, . 67000 France