To mark World Environment Day on 5 June 2024, the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Marc Cools, made the following statement:
“Not a day goes by without local and regional elected representatives taking a decision relating to the environment.
“In May 2023, the Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe emphasised the vital role of local and regional elected representatives in the fight against the triple global crisis of pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss, which is unfortunately increasingly making the headlines. Local and regional authorities have a great deal of experience in responding to this global emergency, and have a track record of taking bold and even visionary decisions.
“In its recent decision, the European Court of Human Rights (Verein Klimaseniorinnen Schweiz and others v. Switzerland) strengthened the need for concrete action to protect the environment. Local and regional elected representatives are essential allies for national governments in meeting their international climate commitments and ensuring a clean, healthy and sustainable environment for future generations.
“It is concerted action by authorities at all levels of governance that will make it possible to tackle the triple global environmental crisis “.
