Onderwerp : de noodzakelijke institutionele hervormingen en aan welke voorwaarden legistiek werk moet voldoen om de strijd tegen de klimaatverandering aan te gaan.
Climate change is having consequences on sustainable development and human-well-being. The intergenerational and global nature of the climate crisis forms a challenge for institutions. On average worldwide, more than 70% of climate change mitigation and up to 90% of climate change adaptation measures are undertaken by local and regional authorities. They are responsible for more than 65% of climate and environment-related public investment. To shape legislation so that it ensures strong action on climate change, all levels of governments must be involved. Thus, a key element of success in reforming and creating policies is multi-level governance with well-functioning cooperation. This includes regional and local authorities, who face the biggest part of climate change’s impacts, but who can also provide the largest part of the solution.
Furthermore, I believe that there are 5 key principles which must serve as a guide throughout creating frameworks for reforming institutions, legislation and policies. And thus also for climate change issues.
- Principle of Subsidiarity: Decisions should be taken at the right level, respecting their competences, this is the only way to make the proposed measures acceptable. Moreover, it is important, that we take into account the territorial impact of the proposed legislation , the diversity of our territories, their different starting points, potentials and their challenges.
- Efficiency: We must assess proposals against the criteria of both cost efficiency and resource efficiency. Circular models must be promoted as much as possible as resources and raw materials are scarce.
- Inclusive: It is important that any new measure is inclusive. This means that it must not favour any particular (target) group and be accessible to everyone. This also applies to technologies: We should be technologically agnostic and preserve the principal of technological neutrality.
- SMART – targeted: We must make maximum use of the available technology and use a targeted approach so that the right actions can be prioritized.
- Bottom-up: Within the existing legislative framework and when forming new legislations, there must be room for local and regional action. For example renewable energy production often takes place at local and regional level and we would like to see provision, enabling local innovation, make it easier to establish renewable energy communities. The volatile energy prices which we have been seeing recently are another reason to reinforce measures to promote small-scale locally produced energy from renewable sources. This guarantees continuity of supply, the stability of prices and a reduced dependence from imports. Bottom-up, is taking into account the local and regional authorities to create a multi-level governance with well-functioning cooperation
A combination of the elements I described will create the perfect setting for institutional reforms, including strong policies and legislation, thus ensuring strong action on climate change. We need to leave enough space for the right actions at the right levels. The overall approach must be balanced, targeted, and flexible.
Let’s take an example: the EU commission is responsible for drawing up proposals for new European legislation for all its members. Yes, we undoubtedly need EU Direction and coordination, but a uniform approach for all countries doesn’t work. Every member state has its own DNA, so instead of generalizing, each country – each region needs a unique approach to handling policies. Even more so regarding climate change.
