Policy and advocacy
Eurocities advocacy efforts reflect positions agreed through our member cities. Cities are where EU policy becomes reality. Read our latest policy positions below to find out how we transform broader ambitions into urban action for a new sustainable, inclusive and prosperous future.
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Empowering cities through the next EU Budget
As the EU enters negotiations on its post-2027 budget, this policy statement states that cities must have a stronger role in EU funding programmes to drive sustainable growth, improve social inclusion and tackle climate change. Cities call for better multilevel governance and direct access to EU funding.
4 minute read -
A strong Cohesion Policy promoting urban transformation
In this policy statement, city leaders call on the EU to ensure a robust, well-funded Cohesion Policy after 2027, tailored to their needs and based on strong governance, trusted partnerships, and simplified financial support for cities.
3 minute read -
Pathways for Food 2030 led Urban Food Policies
The final publication from the Food Trails project synthesises four years of work, insights, and best practices shared by the project partners. It serves as both a knowledge sharing document and a guide for future policy action.
2 minute read -
Eurocities calls for fast and high-quality passenger train connections across Europe
Eurocities is calling on the European institutions to support the development of a comprehensive high-quality rail network that links all European major cities and urban centres.
1 minute read
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COP28: Europe’s cities demand EU 2040 reduction target of at least 90%
As COP28 continues, Europe’s cities have called on the EU to commit to at least a 90% net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. A new Eurocities policy statement outlines how the EU must collaborate with cities to achieve this urgent goal.
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Cities to the EU: help enforce traffic rules on foreign vehicles
In a joint letter, 20 cities call on the European Parliament to help municipalities fine foreign drivers breaching local traffic rules.
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Joint letter on nature restoration
Eurocities and the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) have issued a joint statement in response to the European Commission’s proposed EU Nature Restoration Law (NRL).
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Unpacking the Packaging Waste Regulation
The European Commission is proposing some major changes to the way we handle packaging waste.
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Cities welcome Nature Restoration Law
Despite push-back from some member states, cities welcome the new Nature Restoration Law, and its legally binding targets for local ecosystems. However, some concerns remain.
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New Urban Waste Water Directive
Three out of five wastewater operators are public companies owned by public authorities. The new Urban Waste Water Directive needs their input to achieve its ambitions.
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Could new EU targets melt into air?
How would you rate air quality legislation that will have difficulty improving overall air quality, will not be acted upon in time, and is contradicted by other regulations? If we don’t close loopholes now, this could be what the EU’s revised Ambient Air Quality Directive leaves us with.
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Hope is in the air (quality)
A new position paper by Eurocities contends that despite strong action in recent decades, EU activities to combat poor air quality do not go far enough towards meeting the union’s own target of halving the number of premature deaths linked to air pollution by 2030.
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Build better for climate neutral cities
The forthcoming revisions of the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive represents a major opportunity to build better for climate neutral cities, as shared in a new Eurocities position.
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Full stop: fossil-fuelled mobility in cities
The transport sector needs to cut its emissions drastically to meet Europe’s climate ambitions. A new position paper from Eurocities set out top recommendations for how to get there.
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