Members access

 

Register

Forgotten password

Home >  EU Funding news >  News

Monday, February 14, 2011

The role of local and regional authorities for a sustainable use of water

The Committee of the Regions commission for environment, climate change and energy (ENVE) is meeting on February 14th to discuss how best to promote the sustainable use of water in cities and regions in Europe. This process was initiated by the Hungarian Presidency who intends to seek input from local and regional authorities.Nichi Vendola (IT/PES), president of the Puglia region, is the CoR's rapporteur and he will present his first thoughts on the subject at the meeting on Monday. The debate will also include contributions from István Kling, State Secretary at the Hungarian Ministry of Rural Development, and from Peter Gammeltoft, Head of Water Unit at the European Commission's DG Environment. A consultation of other stakeholders – including national and European associations of local and regional authorities, NGOs and regional offices – on the same subject will take place on the following day, giving the rapporteur a wealth of information and experiences to help him draft his opinion. He will present the draft text for the first time at the ENVE meeting on 5 May, while the final adoption by the CoR Plenary will coincide with the end of the Hungarian Presidency on 30 June.

The ENVE meeting will also provide the opportunity for two other rapporteurs to gather information before drafting their opinions. Daiva Matoniene (LT/EA), member of Šiauliai City Council, will be joined by Angelo Salsi from DG Environment to discuss her forthcoming opinion on the EU LIFE instrument, while Michel Lebrun (BE/EPP), member of the parliament of the French-speaking community, will follow up his recent opinion on the EU energy action plan with first discussions on another energy-related report, focusing this time on infrastructure priorities.

The meeting will conclude with a round-table debate on how local and regional authorities can help in promoting biodiversity in Europe, a follow-up to the UN conference on biodiversity in Nagoya, Japan, last October which was attended by the ENVE commission chair, Ilmar Reepalu. With speakers expected from the UN Environment Programme, DG Environment, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and the European Capitals of Biodiversity programme, the roundtable will not only provide the opportunity for the ENVE chair to feedback on his time in Nagoya but also to show the willingness of local and regional authorities to pursue the debate on protecting biodiversity beyond the UN meeting.

The Commission for environment, climate change and energy (ENVE) meeting will take place in the CoR headquarters in Brussels from 11.00 on Monday 14 February.

Source  Press room - Committee of the Regions

More information  Press room - Committee of the Regions

linked programmes:

Also read:

Look for a grant Go Recherche avancée