The ongoing energy crisis has further underlined the leadership role that towns and cities can play in helping to achieve the EU’s climate-neutral ambitions, according to a wide range of speakers at today's annual Covenant of Mayors Conference in Brussels. Bringing together high-level representatives of EU institutions and Mayors from cities across Europe, the exchange highlighted how cities’ responses to the energy crisis have set an example for Europe’s long-term efforts in matters of energy and climate while pinpointing the support that cities need from the EU for them to continue leading the way.
EU Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson told the conference:
With emergency measures and the REPowerEU plan, we reacted quickly and decisively to cushion the impact of the energy crisis. However, we also owe these results to each and every European, and to our towns and cities. For example, the Covenant of Mayors Cities Energy Saving Sprint, which is implemented in over 50 cities.
She also talked of the more medium-term efforts to build a clean, affordable, and secure energy system, stressing again the key role of cities, especially with in achieving targets for building renovation and energy efficiency. The Commissioner underlined the role that cities and towns could play in shaping revisions to the National Energy and Climate plans to help elaborate ambitious renovation schemes and programmes.
The conference also gave the floor to nine mayors to present the diverse set of measures that they implemented in response to the crisis last year, from saving energy to protecting vulnerable citizens from rising energy prices. The mayors’ stories testified to cities’ vital contribution to reducing Europe’s dependency on Russian gas, all the while minimising the impact of the crisis on citizens and continuing to push towards the EU’s ambitious objectives of climate neutrality.
For many years saving energy has already been an integral part of mid-term and long-term local climate and energy planning. RePowerEU Plan put forward some measures that help achieve these goals through higher energy savings and accelerating the rollout of renewables, such as doubling solar photovoltaic capacity, as well as tackling permitting processes and mobilising investments.
In support of this effort, the Covenant of Mayors’ Cities Energy Saving Sprint campaign provided practical tips to mobilise local governments everywhere in Europe to reduce their energy consumption with a similar approach: multiplying renewables, increasing energy efficiency and accelerating the energy transition.
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Details
- Publication date
- 30 March 2023
- Author
- Directorate-General for Energy