Mayors meet with EU leaders in Brussels to advance affordable energy and climate resilience
Against a backdrop of rising energy costs and growing climate risks, hundreds of mayors gathered in Brussels for the annual EU Covenant of Mayors Ceremony. As part of the consortium responsible of implementing the EU Covenant of Mayors, CEMR contributed to bringing together European leaders and local elected representatives to discuss how to make energy more affordable, strengthen resilience, and protect people’s quality of life across Europe.
Local governments are on the front line of today’s successive crises. Through their climate and energy plans, signatories of the EU Covenant of Mayors have been working for over a decade to transform their energy systems and territories, making them cleaner, safer and better prepared for the challenges ahead.
Their experience makes them essential partners in delivering on the EU’s priorities, from energy security to affordable living and climate resilience. The Ceremony provided an opportunity to discuss in concrete terms how European policies and investment can help cities turn their ambitions into reality.
“We are together on this. I am with you and will work with you. We have a very important duty: to build a resilient, low emission and fair future, and your cities are the place to start delivering.” – Teresa Ribera, European Commission Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition
As Europe faces a challenging energy and climate landscape, making everyday life safe and affordable has become a shared priority for the EU and its cities. By working together to advance the energy and climate transition, they are helping ensure that a decent quality of life is accessible and affordable for everyone.
This is at the heart of the EU Covenant of Mayors’ new action, Places Made for People, launched at today’s Ceremony: supporting local governments in shaping places where people can live and thrive today and for generations to come.
Local homegrown energy means greater security and affordability
Reducing Europe’s exposure to volatile international energy markets means reducing Europe’s dependence on imported fossil fuels. This requires a faster shift to homegrown renewable energy and electrification. The EU’s Electrification Action Plan sets out the bloc’s ambition to make Europe the world’s first fully electrified continent.
“Europe needs its cities, towns and regions more than ever. To deliver climate neutrality. To reinforce our security, our competitiveness, and our energy independence. And to ensure that the transition is fair, affordable and democratic. In all of these areas, we can only succeed through local action that delivers local results.” – Dan Jørgensen, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing
Cities have a central role in making this happen on the ground by expanding renewable energy production, developing clean district heating, and supporting flexibility solutions such as batteries, storage and smart metering.
From decentralised energy systems helping Ukrainian cities like Lviv to maintain essential services during attacks, to community energy initiatives in Gabrovo, Bulgaria, local action can make energy both more secure and affordable. By diversifying energy production and involving citizens, municipalities can reduce vulnerability to disruptions and bring the benefits of clean energy closer to communities.
Mayors exchanged views with the European Commission on the significant investments needed to transform local energy systems. In Leuven, renewable energy projects are pooled to make them financially viable. For the roll-out of new district heating and cooling networks, where the business case is often less clear, governments need to step up with public investment to accelerate their development, just as they do for schools and highways. Many mayors are leading this investment and asking for continued support from the European Union.
Protecting people from climate risks starts locally
Keeping energy prices stable and affordable is not the only concern for Europeans. This summer’s heatwaves and wildfires made painfully clear that protecting people from the impacts of a changing climate has become even more urgent. Many cities – particularly vulnerable to extreme heat – are already taking action to cool their urban environments, from adapting public spaces and buildings to offering specific protections to vulnerable residents.
In Matosinhos, €5 million of EU funds is being invested in data collection to better prepare for future risks, involving people in schools, sports clubs and local initiatives. Scaling up these efforts requires both the right tools and sufficient EU funding, with the Covenant of Mayors playing an important role in sharing knowledge and serving as a platform for EU and local alignment.
As the EU prepares its Framework for Climate Resilience, cooperation with local governments will be crucial. Mayors understand the specific risks their communities face and are responsible for many of the services and infrastructure needed to respond to these. However, planning alone is not enough. Local governments need resources and long-term certainty to invest in adaptation and to prepare their cities for future climate impacts.
“The past year has shown that every place is vulnerable, that everywhere we can experience atypical weather, droughts and wildfires… It’s important that we address these challenges not in isolation, but by working together across the continent and across political parties.” – Wopke Hoekstra, European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth
Europe’s ambitions need local investment
The EU Covenant Ceremony made one thing clear: cities are already working to advance affordable energy and resilience, protecting populations from energy and climate crises. Maintaining this momentum requires sustained political commitment and investment.
“Our budget is our future. It should reflect our political ambitions – including our climate targets. We need continued funding for climate action. We need to secure that funding at the European level and, just as importantly, ensure it reaches the local level, where it can make a real difference.” – Emil Boc, mayor of Cluj-Napoca, Romania and EU Covenant of Mayors Board member
As the EU shapes its future funding and governance frameworks, the question is how to ensure that cities have the means to deliver on shared European goals. Stable funding, policies that support local investment, and meaningful cooperation between European, national and local authorities are essential to making progress at the pace the current crises demand.
“The new EU Agenda for cities provides a framework for sustainable and urban development, helping cities shape EU policies, making EU support more accessible regardless of the size of the city.” – Raffaele Fitto, European Commission Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms.
For more information, contact:
Project Lead – Climate, Energy & Urban Development
