On 5 June, the European Commission responded to our joint letter addressed to President Ursula von der Leyen, which urged the Commission to support the implementation of the European Green Deal at the local level. Kurt Vandenberghe, Director General of DG CLIMA, provided the response, highlighting the Commission's commitment to involving local and regional authorities in the policy cycle and the importance of their role in achieving climate neutrality.
The Commission's response acknowledged the coalition's policy proposals and emphasised the need for a systemic approach to address climate change. Vandenberghe underscored the importance of structured dialogue between different levels of governance and the efficient channelling of funds to support locally led integrated transition programmes. The letter also reiterated the significant financial resources available at the EU level for green investments and the crucial role of skills development in local administrations for the green transition.