Eurocities

Eurocities welcomes this opportunity to contribute to the European Commission's call for evidence on the adoption of a Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) 2024/1689 and (EU) 2018/1139 as regards the simplification of the implementation of harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (Digital Omnibus on AI). Please find our input below.

Cities are the engines of Europes circular economy. From waste prevention and reuse to green job creation and resilient local supply chains, cities are already leading the way in delivering the innovation the Circular Economy Act aims to succeed. As the primary managers of waste and the closest link to citizens, cities have the insight and capacity to turn policy ambitions into impact, if given the right tools.

Eurocities welcomes the opportunity to respond to this call for evidence. Our input is based on our position paper on public procurement, attached to this form, and is complemented by our response to the stakeholder questionnaire submitted separately. We remain available for any questions.

Eurocities welcomes this opportunity to provide feedback on the draft Regulation for an Industrial Accelerator Act. Cities across Europe are engines of economic growth, fostering ecosystems of dialogue between companies, research and learning institutions, and civil society.

Eurocities calls for the EU 2030 emission reduction target to be revised upwards to at least 55% for 2030, and to be binding at member state level to ensure full commitment. We also call for the European Commission to strengthen direct collaboration with and support for leading cities that can show Europe the way to climate neutrality by aiming for an even higher reduction target of 65% by 2030.

Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the evaluation process of the Public Procurement Directives. You will find attached our response to the call for evidence, to be further complemented by a position paper. We remain available for any questions you may have;

Eurocities welcomes this opportunity to contribute to the European Commission's call for evidence on the adoption of the Digital Networks Act. Please find our input below. The leading network of major European cities, Eurocities currently represents 220+ members from 38 countries, with a total population of 150 million. For more information, please visit https://eurocities.eu/.

Eurocities welcomes the European Commissions initiative on the Right to Stay Strategy. The Right to Stay Strategy should recognise that all European territories and their communities face growing pressures that undermine peoples right and freedom to stay.

Eurocities welcomes the development of a European AI strategy for the cultural and creative sectors. Cities and municipalities have a particular role to play: they operate and fund local cultural and heritage infrastructures, they run public venues (from public venues and local artistic ecosystems to museums, archives and historic sites), they fund local artistic ecosystems, and they directly navigate the economic…

Eurocities welcomes this opportunity to contribute to the European Commissions call for evidence on the development of the upcoming European Open Digital Ecosystem Strategy. Please find our input attached below, following the key questions of interest outlined in the consultation. Eurocities submits this response in its capacity as a city network.

We support the third option for the revision and call on the Commission to consider the following: Minimum energy performance requirements (MEPRs) must be accompanied by appropriate financial incentives and support to both owners and occupants. Introducing MEPRs requires mobilising funding, finance and technical support targeting cities, as well as supportive measures for building owners and occupants.

As highlighted in the Draghi report, competitiveness is inherently territorial: firms succeed when cities and regions provide the right conditions for infrastructure, productivity and innovation. European cities and regions are responsible for around two thirds of the increase in total public investments in 2023 - particularly in key sectors such as energy, mobility, housing, digital infrastructure and social…

In this fight to mitigate global warming and adapt to climate change, European cities are leaders: 64% of EUROCITIES members have already committed to become climate neutral by 2050 . And among them, twelve cities - such as the cities of Porto, Stockholm, Copenhagen, London, Turku and Amsterdam have already committed to reach climate neutrality even before 2040.

In this fight to mitigate global warming and adapt to climate change, European cities are leaders: 64% of EUROCITIES members have already committed to become climate neutral by 2050. And among them, twelve cities - such as the cities of Porto, Stockholm, Copenhagen, London, Turku and Amsterdam have already committed to reach climate neutrality even before 2040.

The Artificial Intelligence Act proposal is a crucial legislative initiative to create the conditions for a safe development and deployment of AI, based on European democratic values and in respect of people’s fundamental rights across Europe’s cities. AI is an enabler of change for local governments.

EUROCITIES welcomes the Inception Impact Assessment (IIA) on a proposal for a legal act laying down requirements for Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI is an enabler of change for local governments and is already transforming the governance of cities and society.

Eurocities welcomes the European Commissions planned initiative on greening corporate fleets and sees it as a pivotal opportunity to align fleet reform with broader urban sustainability goals in Europe. Cities are already taking ambitious action through the roll-out of Low- and Zero-Emission Zones (LEZs/ZEZs), the progressive decarbonisation of public fleets, and the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging…

Eurocities welcomes the European Commissions planned initiative on greening corporate fleets and sees it as a pivotal opportunity to align fleet reform with broader urban sustainability goals in Europe. Cities are already taking ambitious action through the roll-out of Low- and Zero-Emission Zones (LEZs/ZEZs), the progressive decarbonisation of public fleets, and the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging…

Eurocities welcomes the European Commissions planned initiative on greening corporate fleets and sees it as a pivotal opportunity to align fleet reform with broader urban sustainability goals in Europe. Cities are already taking ambitious action through the roll-out of Low- and Zero-Emission Zones (LEZs/ZEZs), the progressive decarbonisation of public fleets, and the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging…

Eurocities welcomes this opportunity to contribute to the Commissions call for evidence on the adoption of a Proposal for a Directive amending Directive (EU) 2022/2555 as regards simplification measures and alignment with the [proposal for the Cybersecurity Act 2] and a Proposal for a Regulation on the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), the European cybersecurity certification framework, and ICT supply…

EUROCITIES, the network of major cities, welcomes the proposed revision of the Energy Taxation Directive (ETD). The revision is an opportunity to align the taxation of energy products and electricity with EU energy and climate ambitions and strengthen the internalisation of external costs. Taxation of energy products and electricity produced from renewable sources should be minimised.

City authorities welcome the proposed Data Act to regulate the access, sharing and use of privately held data, however, there is a series of crucial aspects that need further attention and clarification. Limited scope: Limiting the scope of B2G data sharing to exceptional need reduces the potential of city governments to exploit the data for the benefits of citizens and society.

EUROCITIES welcomes the Digital Services Act (DSA) proposal. Information society services are the engine of the collaborative economy. However, despite potential for positive economic impact these services exert a strong, and sometimes challenging, influence on cities. The DSA is an opportunity to address the issues that have arisen since the adoption of the e-Commerce Directive.

The European Commissions recent proposal to set a 90% net emissions reduction target by 2040 is welcomed by cities. They believe that it is a bold and essential step toward achieving the legally binding objective of climate neutrality by 2050 as established in the EU Climate Law. European Mayors strongly support this level of ambition.

The Data Governance Act proposal is a key legislative initiative to promote the availability of data for re-use, increase trust in intermediaries, and strengthen data exchange mechanisms across EU cities. Local governments recognise citizen data as a public asset that should be accessible, shareable, and used to create value for citizens.

EUROCITIES welcomes the initiative for a legislative framework for the governance of common European data spaces. Common data spaces can pave the way for local authorities’ improved policy making, innovation and the provision of better services to citizens. The Inception Impact Assessment (IIA) describes several challenges related to large-scale public and private data sharing.

Eurocities welcomes the Affordable Housing Act for improving legal clarity on short-term rental (STR) measures to protect housing markets and support long-term supply. However, housing must remain a national, regional, and local competence in line with subsidiarity, as public authorities face diverse challenges related to affordability, vacancies, overcrowding, shortages, and housing conversion that no single EU…

The position paper attached presents Eurocities recommendations for the Housing Simplification Package. Drawing on the practical experience of cities, it identifies opportunities to simplify the application of selected EU legislation, funding and knowledge-sharing initiatives, as well as governance and administrative procedures affecting housing delivery in practice.

Eurocities members call for urgent and ambitious action at the European level to increase climate resilience and preparedness across all policy areas. As part of its legislative measures, the framework must include clear, measurable, legally binding targets and time-bound measures at EU level.

Cities support the target in the Zero Pollution Action Plan aiming to reduce microplastics released into the environment by 30%. Microplastics are a growing issue for municipalities. On urban waste-water treatment for instance, it requires increasingly expensive treatments to prevent microplastics to be discharged in the environment.

EUROCITIES welcomes the proposal to revise the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive. Given that the move towards electromobility and other alternative fuels is likely to be strongest at first in urban areas, it is important that the Directive reinforces the alternative fuels infrastructure strategies of city authorities, who are at different stages of deployment.

EUROCITIES welcomes the proposal for an ex-ante regulatory instrument for large online platforms. The problem description correctly outlines several key challenges in relation to online platforms with significant network effects. Cities are innovation ecosystems and bring together governments, researchers, businesses, and citizens to drive digital transformation at the local level and across the EU.

The revision of the Governance Regulation offers an opportunity to build a strong post-2030 policy framework on the existing EU 2030 architecture, providing long-term certainty for cities, investors and Member States. Binding targets beyond 2030 remain essential to drive investments and deliver climate neutrality, building on local efforts already underway.

EUROCITIES welcomes the FuelEU Maritime initiative. Climate change, air pollution and noise emissions are significant issues for port cities in our network. Intervention by the EU with regulatory measures and financial instruments is necessary to address these challenges.

Eurocities welcomes the opportunity to share feedback on the ambient air quality proposal. Our network represents more than 200 European cities in Europe, working to improve the health of their citizens and to better protect the environment. Air pollution is still a major threat for heath and biodiversity in cities, linked to the premature deaths of thousands of cities residents every year.

EU legislation has been working as a driving force for better air quality in Europe. However, and despite improvements, with many EU member states undergoing infringement procedures, the lack of enforcement and stringent standards are undermining local efforts taken by cities.

EUROCITIES believes that the Just Transition Mechanism and Fund can help mitigate the impact of transition on those most affected and vulnerable, addressing skills gaps and energy poverty. A just transition that leaves no one behind requires adequate investment in education, life-long learning and skills to support people of all ages to adapt to the requirements of a climate neutral economy.

EUROCITIES supports the objectives of the Commission’s proposal to improve the current Euro 6/VI standards on air pollutant emissions from cars, vans, lorries and buses to improve urban air quality and protect citizens’ health. EU vehicle policy and the next iteration of standards should establish a clear trajectory towards zero emissions.

Eurocities welcomes the opportunity to respond to the call for evidence on the Quality Jobs Roadmap. The Roadmap holds significant promise in advancing Europes environmental, social, and industrial ambitions from a city perspective. Local authorities play a key role in influencing labour markets through targeted investments, strategic planning, and fostering innovation.

Eurocities welcomes the proposal for a revision of the Directive on intelligent transport systems (ITS). ITS are an important tool for tackling congestion in cities, promoting integration and intermodality, improving and encouraging use of public transport and increasing safety.

The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive was a welcome first step from EU oil dependency. However, there are significant structural issues that should be addressed; not least within the context of recent EU policy developments on the Mobility Packages and the 2050 Long-Term Climate Strategy.

Cities are key stakeholders for the integration and social inclusion of migrants. As the context at the local level is shaped by policies at the EU and national level, cities should be involved in the design of regular migration channels to best meet long-term labour market needs and ensure sustainable integration outcomes at the local level.

EUROCITIES is the political platform for major European cities. We network the local governments of over 140 of Europe’s largest cities and more than 40 partner cities that between them govern some 130 million citizens across 39 countries.

Eurocities, represented by the working group Air Quality (WG Air), would like to take this opportunity to highlight some remarks/considerations of our members in the document attached. Cities play a central role in the work with local air quality especially with regards to being the areas that most often must fulfil extended obligations in terms of measurements and mitigation plans against excessive air pollution…

About Eurocities and European capitals of Culture (ECoCs) Founded in 1986, Eurocities brings together the local governments of more than 200 cities in 38 European countries, representing 130 million people. Eurocities provides a platform to share knowledge and ideas, to analyse common problems and to develop innovative solutions on all urban policies; these include culture, urban development, social inclusion…

Local authorities recognise the value of the interoperability of network and information systems as an important enabler of scaled advantages for better (digital) public services in Europe. The proposal by the Commission contains promising support measures in favour of improved cross-border interoperability.