This report provides an in-depth analysis of the progress made by European Covenant of Mayors signatories in reducing their energy consumption and increasing renewable energy production. The analysis is based on data from over 2300 municipalities across the EU-27 and EFTA and provides insights into the energy consumption patterns, renewable energy production and planned actions. The report highlights the significant progress made by municipalities in reducing their energy consumption, with a 6% reduction in total energy consumption between the baseline and the latest inventories. However, it also notes that the forecasted energy consumption for 2030 shows that municipalities are expected to fall short of their initial estimates by 2030, underscoring the need for accelerated action, enhanced policy support and increased investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment. While further research on the underpinning causes of the trends would be required, this report provides recommendations for local authorities, EU level policy makers and researchers on how to progress towards EU’s climate objectives to address the ambition-implementation gap.

HERNANDEZ MORAL Gema;  KUSTER Corentin;  BEZERRA Paula;  PALERMO Valentina;  MELICA Giulia; 

2026-06-17

Publications Office of the European Union

JRC146590

978-92-68-40369-3 (online),   

1831-9424 (online),   

EUR 40751,    OP KJ-01-26-254-EN-N (online),   

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC146590,   

10.2760/4530095 (online),