New insights from the EU Urban Agenda: Greening Cities and Sustainable Tourism Consultation Reports are now available
Across Europe, the Urban Agenda for the EU is working to align policy with the real, on-the-ground needs of cities, communities, and industries. Two recent consultation reports—for Greening Cities and Sustainable Tourism draft Action Plans—showcase how the Urban Agenda for the EU Partnerships are shaping a sustainable future, informed directly by local perspectives.
Both Partnerships undertook extensive consultation processes for their Action Plans from June 06 to July 31, 2024, gathering input from diverse stakeholders, including EU Institutions, Member States, urban authorities, experts, civil society groups, industry representatives, and local communities. In total, 94 stakeholders participated, submitting responses that highlighted core areas for improvement. Their insights have been instrumental in shaping Action Plans that address both high-level goals and the practical needs of local authorities, citizens, and industries.
Greening Cities: Transforming Urban Landscapes
Following a comprehensive public consultation process during the summer of 2024, the Greening Cities Partnership report summarises essential feedback gathered from EU institutions, Member States, urban authorities, EU networks, private organisations, research institutions, and civil society. The document reflects on key themes such as the need for collaboration across spatial levels, the value of public participation, and practical support measures for municipalities to implement EU greening policies including the Nature Restoration Regulation, which recently came into effect. It also inspired the Partners to introduce the Urban Ecosystem Restoration Manual, a new addition to the Action Plan designed to unify various greening efforts and help cities to reach their urban ecosystem targets.
Read the full Greening Cities Partnership Consultation Report here.
Sustainable Tourism: Building Resilient, Responsible Destinations
For the Sustainable Tourism Partnership, the recent consultation process gathered input from a diverse array of stakeholders, including tourism professionals, local governments, NGOs, and community representatives. The report captures the wide-ranging perspectives on topics such as integrating digital technologies, enhancing environmental sustainability, and strengthening destination resilience. Key recommendations include strategies for visitor management, waste reduction, and incentivising green practices. This feedback has been incorporated into a targeted Action Plan to support sustainable tourism practices across Europe’s urban and rural destinations.
Read the full Sustainable Tourism Partnership Consultation Report here.
Bringing Stakeholders' voices to the forefront
Both reports emphasise the commitment of each Partnership to include stakeholder voices in crafting strategies that address real-world needs and challenges. The final Action Plans are now better equipped to promote sustainability across Europe’s cities and tourism destinations. With collaborative input shaping these final documents, each Partnership is set to make a lasting impact on urban greening and sustainable tourism, fostering a greener, more resilient future.