Covenant of Mayors looking to raise ambition across Europe

Yesterday, the Commission opened a new chapter in the life of the European Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, seeking to raise ambition on the path towards climate neutrality in line with the European Green Deal, and put a greater focus on action. Mayors and local representatives from cities across Europe gathered virtually to renew their political commitment on local energy and climate action towards achieving the Green Deal. Now, at a time when the EU is stepping up its energy and climate ambition for 2030 and 2050, it is time for the Covenant of Mayors and its 10,000 municipalities to do the same. In a video message to yesterday’s Covenant meeting, Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, said: “Cities drive the energy transition on the ground and are at the forefront of the fight against climate change. They turn our policies and objectives into clean buses and bike lanes; they install solar PVs on our roofs, renovate our buildings, sometimes our entire neighbourhood, implementing the Renovation Wave and fighting energy poverty.” One of the new features within the Covenant’s renewed ambitions will be the increased commitment of cities to engage their citizens, businesses and local stakeholders in the transition via the Climate Pact. The European Climate Pact is an EU-wide initiative inviting everyone to participate in climate action and build a greener Europe. More information available here.