The Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy-Europe is an initiative funded by the European Commission. The Covenant of Mayors is the world’s largest movement for local action on climate and energy. In Europe, over 10,000 cities and towns have joined forces to secure a better future for their citizens.
VISION
Vision 2050: Towards a fairer, climate-neutral Europe for all
“We, Mayors from all over Europe, hereby step up our climate ambitions and commit to delivering action at the pace that science dictates, in a joint effort to keep global temperature rise below 1.5℃ – the highest ambition of the Paris Agreement.
Our vision is that, by 2050, we will all be living in decarbonised and resilient cities with access to affordable, secure and sustainable energy. As part of the Covenant of Mayors–Europe movement, we will continue to (1) reduce greenhouse gas emissions on our territory, (2) increase resilience and prepare for the adverse impacts of climate change, and (3) tackle energy poverty as one key action to ensure a just transition.”
“As elected officials we owe it to our citizens, not only to acknowledge the dangers of global warming but ensure they never actually come to pass. That’s why Stockholm joined the Covenant of Mayors.”
BOARD MEMBER KATARINA LUHR, DEPUTY MAYOR OF STOCKHOLM
PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVES
Signatories to the Covenant of Mayors take action to achieve three main objectives:
- Reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55% by 2030.
- Increase resilience by adapting to climate change.
- Alleviate energy poverty.
To translate their political commitments into practical measures and projects, signatories develop, implement, and monitor a Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan. The Covenant of Mayors’ Office supports cities in this process via technical assistance, capacity building, networking, updates on financing possibilities, and communications. The Office also offers knowledge-sharing opportunities via peer-learning, notably through its own twinning programme.
“In Lappeenranta we turn emissions into opportunities. We adopted the second climate programme in 2020 and aim to be carbon neutral by 2030. To achieve this goal, we need good co-operation with citizens, enterprises and research. Networking is power for us.”
KIMMO JARVA, BOARD MEMBER OF THE COVENANT OF MAYORS FOR CLIMATE AND ENERGY, AND MAYOR OF LAPPEENRANTA, FINLAND
KEY PROJECTS
The Cities’ Energy Saving Sprint. This joint initiative of the European Commission, the Covenant of Mayors–Europe and the European Committee of the Regions, encourages cities to take measures that will immediately reduce their energy consumption. The “Sprint” will last for 4 months. As part of the REPowerEU plan, increasing energy savings is key to preparing for next winter. Every kw/h saved now will allow us to refill storage tanks and be better prepared for next winter. Every gram of greenhouse gas avoided in the coming months will be important, for the climate and as an act of solidarity with Ukraine (#EUCitiesSaveEnergy #StandWithUkraine).
Alongside all the measures to reduce consumption and promote the energy transition, it is vital to take emergency energy saving action today and plan reductions in energy consumption during the coming winter. Municipalities have a crucial role to play here.
See how your city can take part here!
“It is us, in the cities, that can introduce measures to fight energy poverty and fight energy reliance on Russia.”
RAFAL TRZASKOWSKI, MAYOR OF WARSAW, MEMBER OF THE EU COVENANT OF MAYORS BOARD AND THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
“Through the Covenant of Mayors movement, cities and towns are taking energy and climate action to secure a better future for their citizens. The initiative is open to all local governments that are democratically constituted with/by elected representatives, whatever their size and whatever the stage of implementation of their energy and climate policies. Join the movement!”
Phone: +32 2 646 84 24