This was the message conveyed by ECR members Marshal Jakub Chełstowski and Tjisse Stelpstra who took the floor during a meeting of the Commission for the Environment, Climate change and Energy (ENVE) of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR).

ECR ENVE coordinator Marshal Chełstowski referred to the COP26, taking place this year in Glasgow, and outlined that the "world simply cannot waste any more time when it comes to climate change", whilst also recognising that "the transition to a low-emission, climate resilient world will not be without some of the greatest challenges of our time". The ECR member, who also serves as Marshal of the Silesia region, cautioned against the negative impact that achieving climate neutrality could have on EU citizens and businesses. In this regard, Marshal Chełstowski urged for the EU to "set out a realistic pathway to climate neutrality" and for the main focus of EU policy to remain on "economic recovery from the pandemic". 

As for Tjisse Stelpstra, Regional Minister in the province of Drenthe, the Fit-for-55 package – an ambitious package of climate proposals recently unveiled by the Commission – must be a "game-changer". Acknowledging the challenge that the package poses for the more industrialised Member States, the ECR member also urged for it to "be an opportunity to modernise European economies". Mr Stelpstra concluded by highlighting the important role of local and regional authorities should play and called for their "voices to be heard!"

The ENVE Commission meeting took place on 9 September in hybrid format.