Across Europe, rapid urbanization, rising populations, and aging infrastructure have placed significant pressure on the environment, threatening air and water quality, biodiversity, and quality of life. Member states of the EU have set ambitious climate goals, such as achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 while being economically and socially just, but the path to achieving these goals remains complex. Green infrastructure initiatives, such as urban forests and gardens, green roofs, permeable pavements, and restored waterways, can provide solutions for cities facing the pressures of climate change. However, these ideas have been met with their own series of challenges, both in their engineering and implementation. As a result, these initiatives have been met with pushback from countries and cities alike. 

Delegates in the UNEP committee will examine the role of European cities in driving sustainable development through green infrastructure. Delegates will evaluate the successes and limitations of initiatives and policies such as the European Green Deal, the New European Bauhaus initiative, and municipal climate action plans. Delegates must also consider how to adapt sustainability efforts and policy to diverse contexts, from densely populated capitals to smaller historical towns, while fostering regional cooperation. Delegates will develop actionable, innovative, and inclusive policies that can be scaled across the region, supporting the goal of a livable and climate-resilient continent.