New Meeting of the "Four Motors for Europe" Network in Brussels: "New Common Strategies Defined"
This meeting was a key opportunity to strengthen collaboration among the four Motors. It focused on various topics, providing an overview of the current geopolitical situation, common European goals, and best practices to implement for better coordination of administrative action.
Following a technical meeting involving delegation members, the political roundtable, chaired by Giorgio Maione, Regional Minister for Environment and Climate of Lombardy, concentrated on the actions the regional alliance aims to implement in terms of sustainability. Special attention was given to the circular economy and innovative solutions in energy, raw materials, and decarbonization. The meeting reaffirmed the crucial role of the Four Motors for Europe as a platform for coordinating strategic international policies.
Mr. Giorgio Maione, Regional Minister for Environment and Climate of Lombardy:
"Over the next three months, we will allocate more than 50 million euros to local authorities and companies in Lombardy for the recovery of critical raw materials, the energy efficiency of public buildings, and smart green roads helping reduce traffic, urban heat islands, and air pollution. Dialogue with other European subnational governments is crucial for Lombardy, which has an international vocation and serves as a model in circular economy, sustainability, and innovation. This platform remains an extraordinary opportunity to unite efforts through the sharing of European objectives."
The Baden-Württemberg delegation also reaffirmed the vital role of network coordination:
Dr. Andre Baumann - State Secretary, Ministry for the Environment, Climate and Energy, Baden-Württemberg:
“Especially in times of uncertainty, it is of immense importance to continue relying on established and functioning networks. In recent years, the partners of the four motors for Europe have jointly developed various ideas and promoted topics that are essential for the development of our regions. We will continue to tackle the challenges of our time together in order to keep our economies strong and successfully implementing the energy transition. In this way, we are contributing to the stability and future viability of our regions.”
The Catalan delegation, which will soon assume the Presidency of Four Motors for Europe, expressed gratitude for the work carried out by Lombardy and its teams, while outlining future perspectives for the network:
Ms. Sonsoles Letang, Director general of Climate Change and Environmental Quality, Catalonia:
"The circular economy and the bioeconomy are fundamental pillars to achieve the environmental objectives in the new roadmap of the European Union and to strengthen the competitiveness of the European economy. The Four Motors for Europe can take advantage of key tools, such as a common market of secondary raw materials from waste, with a special focus on critical raw materials, to facilitate the exchange of materials and by-products. This not only drives sustainability but also opens up new economic opportunities."
The event concluded with a commitment to strengthening the international partnership among the participating regions. Additionally, Giorgio Maione (Lombardy Region) proposed that the next meeting could include a delegation of entrepreneurs showcasing best practices from different territories in environmental, economic, and social sustainability.
