EU Cities and Regions at COP27: summary of activities

• Saturday, 12 November

11.00-12.00 (Egypt time), 10.00-11.00 (CET), online, registration here. Resilient communities - Shaping and achieving the Global Goal on Adaptation through subnational action.

Side event organised by the European Committee of the Regions. Recent findings show that climate change risks to cities, settlements and key infrastructure will rapidly rise in the mid- and long-term with further global warming. The side-event would take a look at how resilient communities can be the building block for developing resilience on a global scale. CoR members taking part (online): Markku MARKKULA, Vice-president of the CoR, President of the Helsinki Region (Finland), EPP group; and Dimitrios KARNAVOS, Mayor of Kallithea (Greece), EPP group.

15.00-16.30 (Egypt time), 14.00-15.30 (CET), hybrid, Blue Zone Osiris (300) and online. The contribution of regions and cities in securing sustainable energy .

Side event co-organised by the European Committee of the Regions and Climate Alliance. How can local and regional authorities be best empowered and equipped to contribute to the Paris agreements and more? And how can we ensure that at the same time in this transition no one is left behind? In this dynamic session local city representatives and civil society will sketch their best practices and dilemma's on: how we are able to radically transform our energy system in a just and fair way. CoR member taking part (online): Niina RATILAINEN Turku City Council (Finland), Greens group.

18.00-19.30 (Egypt time) 17.00-18.30 (CET). Bilateral meeting with the Basque Government. Meeting with Ms Amaia Barredo, Deputy Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Sustainability and Environment of the Basque Government. CoR members taking part: Jakub CHELSTOWSKI, President of the Silesia Region, PL, ECR group.

18.00-19.30 (Egypt time) 17.00-18.30 (CET). Regions4 Networking cocktail reception. Networking event for Regions4 members, delegations and partners to meet, discuss and look at future collaborations in the year of the 20th anniversary of the network. Several CoR members expected to attend.

• Sunday, 13 November

10.00-12.00 (Egypt time) 09.00-11.00 (CET). Alternative Proteins networking event. Organised by the Jeremy Coller Foundation and the Alternative Proteins Association, the event will provide an opportunity for companies, investors, NGOs and government stakeholders to exchange ideas on how the alternative proteins sector can support transitioning to a more sustainable food system. CoR members taking part: Vincent CHAUVET, Mayor of Autun (FR), Renew group.

• Monday, 14 November

12.30-13.30 (Egypt time), 11.30-12.30 (CET), EU Pavilion and online, registration here. Energy efficiency as a valuable resource - Boosting energy performance of the economy and renovating buildings.

The crucial role played by energy efficiency and energy savings in industry, buildings, public sector and products will make the core of the session. Structured in the context of the REPowerEU plan, speakers will share concrete cases for both short-medium and long-term energy saving measures. With the participation of CommissionerKadri SIMSON. CoR member taking part: Rafal TRZASKOWSKI, Mayor of Warsaw (Poland) and chair of CoR ENVE commission, EPP group.

15.00-15.30 (Egypt time) 14.00-14.30 (CET).Bilateral meeting with Catalan Government. Meeting with Anna BARNADAS, Secretary for Climate Action, Catalonia, Spain. CoR member taking part: Jakub CHELSTOWSKI, President of the Silesia Region, PL. ECR group.

15.00-15.30 (Egypt time) 14.00-14.30 (CET). Bilateral meeting with the Swedish Delegation to COP27. The CoR delegation will convey its political messages to be taken into account in the final conclusions of the COP27 and work towards reinforcing the CoR contribution to the EU's mandate for COP28. CoR members taking part: all members of the CoR delegation.

16:30 - 17:30 (Egypt time) 15.30-16.30 (CET), EUROCLIMA Pavilion.

Results of the Regional Meeting on Climate Change and Gender Equality: For gender-sensitive climate action in Latin America and the Caribbean

CoR member taking part online: Kata TÜTTŐ, Deputy Mayor of Budapest (HU), PES group.

• Tuesday, 15 November

13.30-14.15 (Egypt time) 12.30-13.15 (CET). Meeting with Ukrainian NGO Razom We Stand. The CoR delegation will meet Svitlana Romanko to discuss the sustainable reconstruction of Ukraine. CoR members taking part: all members of the CoR delegation

13.30-15.00 (Egypt time), 12.30-14.00 (CET), hybrid, LGMA Pavilion and online. Cities stepping up to the energy crisis: launching the Energy Access and Poverty Pillar of the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM) Common Reporting Framework. This session will launch the GCoM Common Reporting Framework, which will allow cities and local governments to measure, track progress, and act on the energy access and/or poverty needs of their communities. It will also highlight opportunities for city and local government action in the just energy transition that complements national government efforts and policies. CoR member taking part: Rafal TRZASKOWSKI, Mayor of Warsaw, chair of CoR ENVE commission, EPP group.

15.00-16.00 (Egypt time), 14.00-15.00 (CET), in-person, Innovation Hub Pavilion. Rethink your Action: Education, Innovation, and Digitalization for Participatory Climate Action in Cities (organised by GCoM, UCCRN, Mission Innovation). CoR member taking part: Alison GILLILAND, Dublin City Councillor, PES group

16.15-17.30 (Egypt time), 15.15-16.30 (CET), hybrid, Med-Pavilion and online. Financing the transition to climate neutrality in the Mediterranean (European Investment Bank). The aim of this event is to bring together international financing institutions, policy makers and industry operators to discuss how to finance the energy transition in the Mediterranean by addressing the following issues: Who, how, where and when. CoR member taking part: Vincent CHAUVET, Mayor of Autun (FR), Renew group.

18.00-18.45 (Egypt time) 17.00-17.45 (CET). Briefing with European Commission EVP Frans Timmermans

Briefing to the CoR, European Parliament and EESC delegations on the state of the negotiations at COP27. CoR members taking part: all members of the CoR delegation.

19.00-21.00 (Egypt time) 18.00-20.00 (CET). Networking event Under2Coalition. The Networking reception is part of the activities organized by the Action for Climate Empowerment Hub (ACE Hub) to support the implementation of the Glasgow work programme on ACE. CoR members taking part: all members of the CoR delegation.

• Wednesday, 16 November

9.00-9.55 (Egypt time) 8.00-8.55 (CET). Political breakfast with the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR). CoR members taking part: Marieke SCHOUTEN, Alderman of the municipality of Nieuwegein, Greens group.

11.00-12.00 (Egypt time), 10.00-11.00 (CET), in-person, Innovation Hub Pavilion. Building Bridges in Cities and Regions with New European Bauhaus. At this panel, policy makers, artists and climate activists will talk about possibilities but also to call out for action and draw up an international New European Bauhaus manifesto. CoR member taking part: Alison GILLILAND, Dublin City Councillor, PES group.

11.30-12.00 (Egypt time) 10.30- 11.00 (CET). Bilateral meeting with the Czech Delegation. The CoR delegation will convey its political messages to be taken into account in the final conclusions of the COP. CoR members taking part: all members of the CoR delegation.

11.30-13.00 (Egypt time), 10.30-12.00 (CET), hybrid, Blue Zone (Amon, 150) and online. Green hydrogen: how to reconcile North/South stakes in the development of the future market. Green hydrogen could take an important place in the global energy mix and be the key to achieving carbon neutrality within the next three decades. New geopolitics is emerging with several countries developing ambitious development strategies. But what about the countries of the Middle East and Mediterranean region whose energy dependency factors could be profoundly changed by the rise of hydrogen? CoR Member taking part: Jakub CHELSTOWSKI, President of the Silesia Region, PL, ECR group.

12.00-13.00 (Egypt time), 11.00-12.00 (CET), hybrid, LGMA Pavilion and online.
Hearing the voice of subnational governments: Learning from the Edinburgh Declaration for biodiversity

On behalf of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Scottish Government has led a global partnership in the Edinburgh Process to consult sub-national governments including regional, city and local authorities on their role in the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and targets. The Edinburgh Process seeks to amplify the voices of the subnational constituency in the development of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and ensure inclusion of all levels of government in the planning, reporting and implementation phases. CoR Member taking part: Marieke SCHOUTEN, Alderman of the municipality of Nieuwegein, Greens group. CoR Member taking part online: Roby BIWER, Member of Bettembourg Municipal Council, PES group (tbc).

13.45-14.45 (Egypt time), 12.45-13.45 (CET), hybrid, LGMA Pavilion and online. Cities Race to Zero one year on: driving climate action now. The Race to Zero is a global campaign to rally leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions, and investors for a healthy, resilient, zero carbon recovery that prevents future threats, creates decent jobs, and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth. CoR member taking part: Rafal TRZASKOWSKI, Mayor of Warsaw (Poland) and chair of CoR ENVE commission, EPP group.

14.30-15.30 (Egypt time), 13.30-14.30 (CET), online, registration here. Disaster Risk Reduction: Voices from the cities. Organised by DG CLIMA and the Global Covenant of Mayors, this panel discussion will present the key urban adaptation and mitigation tools increasing resilience to climate change and helping prepare for its adverse impacts. Through valuable accounts of Mayors and local leaders from all over the world, the panel will explore cities' achievements to reduce their vulnerability to climate change and environmental hazards. CoR member taking part online: Kata TÜTTŐ, Deputy Mayor of Budapest (HU), PES group.

14.30-15.30 (Egypt time) 13.30-14.30 (CET). Meeting with COP27 Presidency Youth Envoy Omnia el Omrani. The CoR delegation will exchange with Omnia EL OMRANI on the youth priorities and requests for COP27. CoR member taking part: all members of the delegation.

18.00-19.00 (Egypt time) 17.00-18.00 (CET). CoR event with global climate networks. Event organised by the European Committee of the Regions. The CoR invites its main partners to join forces in a common political declaration on the road towards COP28. CoR members taking part: all members of the delegation.

• Thursday, 17 November

11.00-12.00 (Egypt time). 10.00-11.00 (CET), hybrid, in the EU Pavilion and online. Climate neutral smart cities with and for citizens. Via its 2050 targets, the European Union is in the driving seat to deliver on the Paris Agreement. This commitment needs concrete support across levels and sectors of society - people, cities and businesses must co-design ideas to ensure societal buy-in and effective implementation of fit-for-purpose solutions. The session will allow participants to investigate how ongoing EU flagships initiatives - as Net Zero Cities, Covenant of Mayors and SCM - work. CoR member taking part: Alison GILLILAND, Dublin City Councillor, PES group.

11.00-11.30 (Egypt time). Bilateral meeting with Rio de Janeiro representatives. Meeting with Leonardo SOARES, CEDAE President, and Ms Ana Asti, Undersecretary of Water Resources and Sustainability, Rio de Janeiro. CoR member taking part: Jakub CHELSTOWSKI, President of the Silesia Region, PL, ECR group.

12.00-13.00 (Egypt time), 11.00-12.00 (CET), online, registration here. Implementing Local Green Deals - implementing global ambitions at the local level. Side event organised by the European Committee of the Regions and DG GROW. DG GROW and the CoR present major cities' achievements towards their green transition and Local Green Deals, their evolution within the past year and their key factors for success, notably in engaging the local businesses and citizens in the collaborative process.

CoR members taking part online: Vincent CHAUVET, Mayor of Autun, Renew group; JasnaGABRIČ, Mayor of the Municipality of Trbovlje, Renew Europe group; Ricardo RIO, Mayor of Braga, EPP group.

12.30-14.00 (Egypt time), 11.30-13.00 (CET), hybrid, EU Pavilion and online. Energy transition key insights from GCoM signatories. This high-level panel will feature the participation of policymakers, local leaders and business representatives portraying their joint efforts towards sustainable energy transition and emphasising the need for further action and support. The panel includes the participation of Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice President of the European Commission. CoR members taking part: Rafal TRZASKOWSKI, Mayor of Warsaw (PL) and Chair of CoR ENVE commission, EPP group.

12.30-14.00 (Egypt time), 11.30-13.00 (CET), hybrid, in Blue Zone (Osiris 300) and online. Clean air as human right: air quality actions for climate mitigation, adaptation, and human health .
Air pollution is a major threat to human health and climate that will be exacerbated by global warming. This event highlights exemplary actions to reduce premature mortality and create healthy urban development by integrating air quality in climate mitigation and adaptation. CoR Member taking part: Marieke SCHOUTEN, Alderman of the municipality of Nieuwegein, Greens group.

15.00-15.30 (Egypt time) 14.00-14.30 (CET). Bilateral meeting with Minas Gerais representatives. Meeting with Marilia Carvalho de Melo, Secretary for Environment and Sustainable Development, Minas Gerais, Brazil. CoR member taking part: Jakub CHELSTOWSKI, President of the Silesia Region, PL. ECR group.

17.00-18.00 (Egypt time) 16.00-17.00 (CET). Bilateral meeting between CoR member Marieke SCHOUTEN, Alderman of the municipality of Nieuwegein, Greens group and local councillors.

18.00-19.30 (Egypt time) 17.00-18.30 (CET). LGMA Global Townhall towards COP28. CoR members taking part: all members of the delegation.

18.30-20.00 (Egypt time), 15.30-19.00 (CET), Blue Zone (Khufu 300) and online.

Capacity building on green skills to improve local and regional climate policies.
Presentation of cutting-edge green skills capacity building, resources and toolkits to enable politicians and organisations to meet global climate change commitments agreed through the COP process. Discussion will focus on applying green skills principles across international borders and economies. CoR member taking part: Olgierd GEBLEWICZ, President of West Pomeranian Region, EPP group (tbc)

• Friday, 18 November

10.00-11.00 (Egypt time). Bilateral meeting between CoR member Vincent CHAUVET, Mayor of Autun, Renew group and Mr. Abdoulaye KYA, Mali Director General of the National Agency for the Development of Biiofuels.

13.00-14.00 (CET), tbc. CoR-ICLEI-LGMAPress conference on COP27 outcomes with RafalTRZASKOWSKI, Mayor of Warsaw (Poland) and chair of CoR's ENVE commission, EPP group,ICLEI andthe LGMA constituency representative.

Background information:

• ​CoR delegation and political messages to COP27.
• CoR's COP27 web portal.
• Webpageof Green Deal Going Local , the CoR initiative to place cities and regions at the heart of the EU's transition towards climate neutrality.

· 12 October 2022 Press Release: The energy crisis must not undermine the EU's global climate ambitions.

· 21 October 2022 Press Release: European Parliament supports local leaders' call for a stronger role of cities and regions in global climate negotiation.