The European Commission and the Covenant of Mayors within and beyond the EU

About 80% of energy consumption and CO2 emissions is associated with urban activity. Therefore, local authorities can play a crucial role in mitigating the effects of climate change. The Covenant of Mayors was launched by the European Commission after the adoption, in 2008, of the EU Climate and Energy Package with the aim to endorse and support the efforts deployed by local authorities in the implementation of sustainable energy policies. The Covenant of Mayors constitutes the only movement of its kind mobilising local and regional actors around the fulfilment of EU objectives. The political commitment undertaken by the signatories of the Covenant needs to be translated into concrete measures and projects based on a Baseline Emission Inventory (BEI) and a Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP) outlining the key actions to be carried out. A successful implementation of a SEAP is linked to the allocation of sufficient financial and human resources and to an adequate mobilisation of citizens and stakeholders. With their SEAPs, Covenant’s signatories not only focus on energy efficiency, but they also aim at creating new stable and qualified jobs, a more sustainable life, a more competitive economy and a stronger energy security. Today, four years after its launch, the Covenant of Mayors has more than 4300 signatories.

MELICA Giulia; 

2013-02-28

Editoriale Scientifica srl

JRC75816

978-88-6342-367-9,   

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC75816,