‘Stocktaking’ and next steps 

In this, the closing week of the COP 28, let’s take a quick look at what’s been happening, not only in Dubai, but over the year as a whole.

First of all, the multi-lateral, multi-level, multi-stakeholder dialogue at global level is alive and well. The COPs provide a unique meeting place for semantic battles.  While the accords might not meet the stakes, these conferences are still the only place where all the countries and all the parties get together and attempt to find common ground. With this in mind, it is crucial that the fossil fuel producers have a place at the table. If we want to make headway, we need to talk in concrete terms with the players directly concerned.

The famous ‘wording’ wrested in a final sprint of negotiations is not only a huge theatrical display so that everyone can explain the renunciation of their initial position, it also often serves as a revelation of the ‘vital’ points of tension. And while the European media focus on the phase-out of fossil fuels, the final agreement actually talks about the “reduction in production and CONSUMPTION”. Because of course, who are the major producers of gas, coal and oil producing for? Essentially for us.

From a European point of view, 2023 has been the year of the Green Deal touchdown. The President of the European Commission has no reason to be ashamed of her track record. The negotiations were tough, but the result is a clear increase in ambition. The last brick of the ‘Fit for 55’ package, namely the revision of the energy efficiency directive for buildings, is set to be adopted by the European Council before the end of December. All the sectoral energy and climate guidelines now set out a new target with a number of new obligations for local authorities. We will come back to this with a detailed analysis in 2024.

Nevertheless, there is not just a brick, but a pillar missing. As we have been reminded by the fossil empires, what about policies for the reduction of our needs? Not only those of energy efficiency, but those of sifficiency? This will be one of our political priorities for 2024.

The European budget battle has already begun. Member States are siding with one of two camps, either the frugal or the others… with no more money pouring in to support the European economy in the face of the energy price shock. Yet the ‘frugals’ are not thinking about the reduction of needs, only the reduction of spending. And that’s not quite the same debate: how can we lead the ‘budget frugals’ onto the path of sufficiency?

Surely, investing in future non-spending is more judicious than preventing Member States and local authorities from building their own autonomy and ability to withstand future crises and disasters. And to do this, in 2024 our campaign will be focusing mainly on the human resources that are absolutely necessary for municipalities to organise, plan and implement their local climate strategy.

I look forward to seeing you then, on 15 March in Brussels, for the Mayors’ summit for the Green Deal of the European Union’s Belgian Presidency, and on 26 to 27 June in Valencia, Green Capital 2024, for our Annual Forum.

Two key moments for debate, exchange and reconnecting to move forward with our agenda!

Until next year!