On 13 May the Committee of the Regions Green Deal Working Group met to debate several topical issues in the green transition. During the meeting, members, representatives of the European Commission and European Parliament discussed the impact of the war in Ukraine on the European Green Deal, the simplification of access to funds, the DiscoverEU programme and sustainable mobility, as well as the implication of local and regional authorities in the EU Forest strategy under the Trees for Life Initiative.
During the discussion on the impact of the war in Ukraine on the European Green Deal, members expressed concerns about EU energy security. EA member, Mr József Kóbor, city councilor of Pécs, Hungary, emphasized that "we are paying a huge price for our dependence on Russian fossil fuels import, we need bold actions to protect vulnerable consumers from skyrocketing energy prices, investing massively on renewable energy and enhance energy savings to prepare for the next winter, which will be a difficult time. He also welcomed the RePowerEU Plan and highlighted its importance for the success of the European Green Deal. The city of Pécs is one of the 100 cities selected to take part in the EU Mission for 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030.
