Press release | 11.12.2024
€86 billion EU Social Climate Fund at risk of mismanagement
Local Alliance report unveils how many governments are side-lining local authorities in their consultation processes
Brussels/Frankfurt, 11 December 2024. An exclusive new report from eight major European local and regional government networks reveals that vulnerable households in the EU are at risk of being underserved by the €86 billion Social Climate Fund (SCF) due to inadequate consultation of local and regional governments by national governments.
The survey underpinning the report, conducted by the Local Alliance – a coalition comprising ACR+, CEMR, Climate Alliance, Energy Cities, Eurocities, FEDARENE, ICLEI Europe and POLIS – highlights widespread non-compliance with key requirements under SCF legislation.
Articles 4 and 5 of the SCF state that Member States must engage with local and regional governments in developing their national Social Climate Plans. However, the report finds that many governments are failing to fulfil these obligations, often reducing consultations to empty gestures or bypassing them entirely.
A MISSED OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS LOCAL NEEDS
The SCF is a flagship initiative under the European Green Deal, aimed at supporting vulnerable households. But the findings show a troubling disconnect between national decision-makers and their local governments.
The survey, covering cities and regions across 14 Member States, including Belgium, Finland, Germany, Greece and Spain, paints a stark picture of delayed consultations, inadequate dialogue, and missed opportunities to incorporate local expertise.
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: KEY PARTNERS FOR EFFECTIVE ACTION
Local and regional governments are uniquely positioned to ensure that EU funds address the specific needs of their communities. They bring expertise, proximity, and an understanding of local priorities, which are crucial for tailoring measures to effectively support vulnerable households.
The absence of meaningful consultation not only undermines the legislative requirements but also jeopardises the effectiveness of the SCF just six months before Member States are due to submit their plans in June.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NATIONAL AND EU DECISION-MAKERS
To ensure the Social Climate Fund effectively supports vulnerable households, the Local Alliance urges Member States, amongst others, to prioritise meaningful collaboration with regional and local governments, through locally developed plans such as SECAPs and Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans.
This will provide EU investments that are aligned with local needs to address energy and transport poverty, ensuring measures that target the needs of vulnerable groups like women, older people and single-parent households.
FURTHER INFROMATION
CONTACT
Noelani Dubeta
Policy Director, Climate Alliance
+32 2 400 10 62 | n.dubeta(at)climatealliance.org
Sarah Mekjian
Communications Director, Climate Alliance
+49 69 7171 39 -20 | communications@climatealliance.org
THE CLIMATE ALLIANCE
For over 30 years, Climate Alliance member municipalities have been acting in partnership with indigenous rainforest peoples for the benefit of the global climate. With nearly 2,000 members spread across more than 25 countries, Climate Alliance is Europe's largest city network dedicated to comprehensive and equitable climate action. Recognising the impact our lifestyles can have on the world's most vulnerable people and places, Climate Alliance pairs local action with global responsibility. climatealliance.org
