Transforming EU cohesion policy into a territorial self-sufficiency policy

Abstract

This chapter discusses the role of EU Cohesion Policy increasing focus in promoting environmental sustainability processes in the European Union territory over the past 35 years. It then provides concrete policy recommendations on how to allocate part of its funding to supporting urban and regional Self-Sufficiency development approaches in particular in the areas of energy and food production, as well as in the domains of transport mobility and circular economy. Ultimately, the analysis is supported by the literature review and specifically the reading of EU Cohesion Reports as regards the implementation of EU Cohesion Policy, complemented by the latest scientific findings and advances on the discussed themes. The chapter concludes that there is a vital need to realign public policies' strategic design and implementation towards territorial self-sufficiency planning and development, as a concrete more targeted policy solution to mitigate and invert global environmental degradation and ongoing climate change-related effects