Co-operation towards a Strong Policy Framework – a European Perspective

Cooperation towards a strong policy framework – a European perspective

EU – South Asia SummitOrchha 24 – 25 March 2014

Dora Petroula

Who is CAN-Europe?

What it’s like being an environmental NGO (in Brussels) trying to advocate for change?

NGOs

Many voices from smaller groups

Large industry groups.

CommissionMember States,European Parliament

Overview of CAN Europe activities

Coordination of activities and support to national members

•Formulation of common positions

•Regular advocacy Brussels based NGO group and calls with national members

•Frequent policy updates

•Briefings

•Template letters

Advocacy work – how we do it?

• Advocate for positions and key asks (events, public consultations, meetings)

• Use multiple benefits of climate action as arguments, including economic ones

• Meetings with European policy makers (Commissioners cabinets, services, country representatives, European parliament etc)

• Strong involvement of the CAN network and pressure coming from member states

• Focus on progressive countries to carry on the message

• Enhance messages through synergies with allies

• Media work

NGOs in common action

Coalition for Energy Savings

3/4/13

26 industry, NGO, workers, professional and local associations • 400 associations, 150 companies • 2 million workers, 15 million supporters • 1,000 cities and towns in 30 countries in Europe

Renewable Grid Initiative – a NGOs and TSOs forum

“We want necessary grids built in time and in line with environmental objectives and with people’s concerns”

Focus of NGOs:

„We need renewable energies – whithout negative impact on

nature and people“

„We need to build power grids without delay“

Focus of electricity grid operators:

External example - Covenant of MayorsMayors voluntary agree to reduce the CO2 emissions in their territories by at least 20% by 2020 through the implementation of sustainable energy action plans

• Extended to Eastern Neighborhood Partnership countries• Source of examples for others (The challenges of Mumbai as a mega-city – a

way forward with the EU‘)

Source: managenergy 2012

Thank you for your attention

dora@caneurope.org