The European Union is currently in the process of renewing its main climate policy tools: the Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR). This is a key opportunity to ensure that Europe puts itself on the track to achieve the Paris Agreement goal of keeping a global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees.

The role of Southern and Mediterranean European countries in these processes is important, as they have the power to weigh in favour of ambitious reforms. Facing similar climate challenges at the national level, they can also set an example by promoting innovative and progressive practices that can inform European policy processes, and especially the ESR.

As temperature levels are reported to be already close to a 1° increase, it is crucial that the European Union and its Members States and Regions implement ambitious policies imminently. Only a coherent climate action, where multilevel policies inform each other, will allow to secure ambition.

In this regard, engagement of national and local civil society organisations (CSOs) will be key. On top of raising awareness, they can confront or connect the various policy processes to highlight shortcomings and good practices, as a mean to add pressure on policy makers.

This workshop aims to build the civil society’s understanding and capacity on the EU’s key climate policy tools. This event will also encourage participants to reflect on how the connection between local and European campaigns can provide momentum for more ambitious climate action.