Why talk about climate change?

Global warming has become an undeniable reality. Natural causes can only explain a small part of this phenomenon. The overwhelming majority of scientists agree that it is caused by rising concentrations of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere emitted by human activities. Already, climate change is having many discernible impacts, ranging from the increases in temperature to the rising sea levels (as a result of melting polar ice caps) and increasingly frequent storms and floods. If we do not take action, climate change will cause more and more costly damage and disrupt the functioning of our natural environment, which supplies us with food, raw materials and other vital resources. This will negatively affect our economies and could destabilise societies around the globe.

Why regions?

‘Sub-national authorities constitute an indispensable link in the chain to implement mitigation and adaptation policies. While local and regional governments implement national policies, they also have regulatory and planning functions. They are simultaneously policy-makers and places for investment in a number of sectors responsible for greenhouse gas emissions (basic services, transport, construction, training...). In the field of mitigation aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, sub-national authorities have a wide array of actions to undertake. These policies can range from the reduction of energy use to a more systematic reliance on decentralized production means, especially through renewable resources. Taking into account climate patterns in long-term decision-making (in agriculture, planning, infrastructure, etc.) is also key for the future of territories. Adaptation measures will be implemented at the level where the risks that threaten installations and individuals are present.'