Municipalities, regions and European bodies joined forces in a pioneering initiative undertaken by the President of the Environment, Energy and Climate Change (ENVE) Committee of the European Committee of the Regions, Costas Bakoyannis.

The event “Shaping Tomorrow, Together with the European Climate Pact – Urban Resilience and Preparedness” took place yesterday at the Amalia Hotel, in the center of Athens.

The aim of the initiative was to show that the climate crisis is not dealt with theoretically, but through real action in the neighbourhoods, schools and networks of everyday life.

Mr. Bakoyiannis, in his keynote address, underlined that cities do not simply ask for support, but an active role in shaping policies for the future of Europe:

“The Committee of the Regions, and especially our Committee, ENVE, have already warned: There is no resilient or fair Europe without resilient and fair self-government. Europe needs no more declarations. It needs to trust the power of self-government again. To put into practice what is written in its own Constitution: that the Union is built from the bottom up”.

The event was organized by the National Coordinator of the European Pact for the Climate in Greece (INZEB), the European Committee of the Regions and the Regional Union of Municipalities of Attica (PEDA).

Greetings were addressed by the Regional Governor of Attica, Nikos Hardalias, the President of PEDA and Mayor of Galatsi, Giorgos Markopoulos, as well as Haris Kountouros, representative of the Delegation of the European Commission in Greece.

Mr. Hardalias emphasized that resilience in the face of the climate crisis is not a theory, but a matter of life and security:
“In Attica, we prove in practice that the protection of citizens and the environment is an absolute priority. With projects of substance, collaboration and determination, we are building a safer, greener, more sustainable Region. Because tomorrow will not wait for us – we must create it, today, all together: states, regions, municipalities, civil society”.

For his part, Mr. Markopoulos pointed out:

“At PEDA we see the environment not as a matter of special interest, but as a front-line issue. Civil protection, energy, waste management and water conservation are fields of cooperation, planning and responsibility.”

The event saw an extremely dynamic turnout, with the participation of first and second grade local government representatives, mayors, elected officials, academics, students and active citizens. Among those present were:

Yiannis Moralis (Mayor of Piraeus), George Koutelakis (Mayor of Nea Smyrni), Vassilis Xipolytas (Mayor of Kifissia), George Papanastasiou (Vice President of KEDE – Mayor of Agrini), Stelios Mamalakis (Mayor of Agios Dimitrios), Nikos Hoursalas (Mayor of Korydallos), Andreas Efthymiou (Mayor Moschatou-Tavrou), Panagiotis Margetis (Mayor of Megareo), Panagiotis Manouris (Mayor of Nea Ionia) as well as Deputy Governors and officials of the Attica Region.