Climate 42

The Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) has, over its first four years, shown that local leadership is essential in tackling climate change and improving energy access. Supported by the European Union and global partners, the initiative empowers municipalities to design and implement Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plans (SEACAPs), tailored to their contexts.

Developing Local Capacity

One of the clearest lessons is the importance of involving African partners early and consistently. Contextualising European approaches to local realities in Sub-Saharan Africa has proven key to success. Peer-to-peer learning, including informal exchanges like WhatsApp groups, has strengthened communities of practice and allowed cities to share knowledge beyond language and geographic barriers.

At the same time, challenges remain. Sparse data, limited technical expertise, and difficulties in political continuity have slowed progress. Travel barriers, connectivity issues, and shifting national dynamics have highlighted the need for more flexible and innovative support structures. The presence of local intermediary organisations, universities, NGOs, or research centres has emerged as critical in anchoring capacity and ensuring sustainability beyond donor cycles.

Successes and Lessons
Despite obstacles, CoM SSA has enabled cities such as Bouaké, Dakar, and Tsévié to make tangible progress on emissions inventories and resilience planning. The development of SEACAP guidelines, adapted through extensive consultation, provided a framework that cities could build upon. Simplified tools and hands-on training helped municipalities overcome initial hurdles, while regional workshops fostered solidarity and collective ambition.

The first phase of CoM SSA demonstrates that building climate resilience in African cities requires time, trust, and resources. Moving forward, stronger capacity-building, continuous peer exchanges, and deeper involvement of local support organisations will be vital. With growing international momentum on climate action, this initiative has laid the groundwork for a long-term transformation: cities that are not only more resilient but also better equipped to deliver sustainable energy for all.

For more information, contact:

Project Lead – Climate, Energy & Urban Development

BANOS DE GUISASOLA Eva In Climate, Climate, Energy, Energy, Environment, Environment, EU Covenant of Mayors, EU Covenant of Mayors, Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, PLATFORMA, PLATFORMA, Press, Projects and Programmes, Projects and programmes, Publications

Local action for climate at COP26

Municipalities and regions are essential to implementing the Paris Agreement and achieving the SDGs

As the world prepares for COP26, the urgency of implementing the Paris Agreement is clearer than ever. Delays are no longer acceptable: ambitious climate action must be delivered across all levels of governance, with municipalities and regions at the forefront. Local leadership, appropriate regulatory frameworks, and decentralised solutions will be crucial to achieving carbon neutrality and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Tackling climate change requires ambitious leadership, and local governments are uniquely positioned to deliver practical results. Cities and regions across Europe are already setting climate targets and developing local solutions to global challenges. Their involvement in international processes, such as through the Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) constituency, ensures that local voices shape global action.

Effective climate policies also depend on appropriate regulatory and financial support. EU and national frameworks must acknowledge the diversity of local realities, enabling tailored solutions. Adequate funding, capacity-building, and investment are necessary to empower municipalities and regions to meet their commitments. Initiatives like the European Green Deal and a just transition should ensure no community is left behind.

Finally, the localisation of the SDGs is inseparable from the climate agenda. With 65% of SDG targets linked to local action, decentralised approaches and multi-level governance are vital. Embedding the 2030 Agenda into territorial strategies will ensure that global commitments translate into tangible improvements in communities.

The path to COP26 underscores a simple truth: global goals can only be achieved through local action. By supporting municipalities and regions with resources, recognition, and a genuine role in decision-making, the EU and international community can ensure that the Paris Agreement and SDGs are implemented effectively, delivering a sustainable and resilient future for all.

For more information, contact:

BANOS DE GUISASOLA Eva

Senior Advisor – Global Agendas, SDGs & Climate

GRIFFON Axelle In Climate, Climate, Environment, Environment, Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Press, Publications

New EU strategy to climate change

CEMR’s Response to the EU Adaptation Strategy Review

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) strongly supports the development of a revised EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change, calling for a clear EU Action Plan that empowers local and regional governments (LRGs) to lead on the ground.

Climate change is already a reality for Europe’s cities and regions, with impacts ranging from floods and heatwaves to droughts, wildfires and biodiversity loss. As the first responders to these challenges, LRGs are on the front line and play a vital role in ensuring climate-resilient communities.

In its official response to the 2020 EU consultation, CEMR stresses that:

Adaptation is as urgent as mitigation. While reducing emissions remains essential, Europe must also adapt to unavoidable impacts already underway.

Localised responses are essential. Climate impacts vary significantly across territories. An effective adaptation strategy must reflect local vulnerabilities, risks and capacities.

Integration is key. Adaptation should be embedded into land use planning, infrastructure, housing, water and environmental management, combining it with mitigation whenever possible.

Transformation requires support. LRGs need financial tools, enabling policies, capacity-building, data access and stronger multilevel governance to deliver meaningful change.

Nature-based solutions are critical. Investments in green infrastructure, biodiversity and water retention areas help cities adapt sustainably and cost-effectively.

CEMR also urges the Commission to ensure that adaptation becomes a mainstream requirement in planning and investment decisions. Risk and climate vulnerability assessments should guide long-term urban development, infrastructure planning and emergency preparedness.

Moreover, LRGs are not only ready to act locally but also to support international efforts, particularly in cooperation with developing countries, contributing to the goals of the Paris Agreement.

As part of the European Green Deal, the new strategy should enable and accelerate local action, ensuring that no city or region is left behind in preparing for climate risks.

For more information, contact:

GRIFFON Axelle

Advisor – Environment and mobility

Evaluation of Covenant of Mayors in Africa

Evaluating the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa: added value, progress, and lessons for the future

Since its launch in 2015, the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) has become a major initiative supporting African cities in their response to climate change and in improving access to clean energy. Funded by the European Union and co-financed by Germany and Spain, CoM SSA is part of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy. Today, more than 200 cities across 36 Sub-Saharan countries have signed up, committing to long-term climate and energy action through Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plans (SEACAPs).

Programme Achievements
The final evaluation highlights both the relevance and scale of the initiative. With Africa’s rapid urbanisation, CoM SSA’s focus on local governments is crucial. The programme has successfully engaged hundreds of municipalities, surpassing its target of 200 signatories, and has provided significant capacity building through technical assistance and workshops. Cities especially valued peer exchanges, which created strong networks for sharing experiences and best practices.

Pilot projects showed mixed results: while some cities advanced quickly with draft SEACAPs, others faced delays due to political instability, lack of technical expertise, or limited direct involvement of city administrations. Still, the overall added value of the initiative is clear: it created political ownership, improved local technical skills, and promoted sustainable energy and climate planning at the local level.

Key Lessons and Recommendations
The evaluation also draws important lessons for the future. Greater alignment between local SEACAPs and national climate strategies is needed to ensure impact. Capacity building remains a priority, requiring more technical staff on the ground and support from local organisations to guarantee continuity. Better coordination with other international programmes is recommended to avoid duplication of efforts. Finally, fostering multilingual platforms for experience-sharing among cities will strengthen the CoM SSA community and enhance learning across regions.

The Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa has proven its relevance and value by mobilising hundreds of cities and building local capacity for climate action. While challenges remain, the initiative has laid a strong foundation for Phase III, where scaling up, deepening vertical integration with national governments, and securing sustainable financing will be key. CoM SSA is now well-positioned to continue empowering African municipalities as central actors in the global fight against climate change.

For more information, contact:

Project Lead – Climate, Energy & Urban Development

GRIFFON Axelle In Climate, Climate, Energy, Energy, Environment, Environment, Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Press, Publications

Local action driving the green deal

CEMR outlines the crucial role of municipalities and regions in making Europe climate neutral by 2050

The European Green Deal, launched in December 2019, sets out the EU’s ambition to become the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050. While the framework is driven at the European level, its implementation will rely heavily on municipalities and regions. Local and regional governments (LRGs) are already responsible for delivering 70% of climate mitigation measures, 90% of adaptation policies, and 65% of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) highlights that empowering these actors is essential to achieving the Green Deal’s goals.

CEMR stresses that LRGs are not only implementers but also innovators, mobilising citizens and setting ambitious targets beyond EU requirements. For example, the 10,000 signatories of the Covenant of Mayors have pledged to reduce CO₂ emissions by 47% by 2030, well above the EU’s current 40% target.

CEMR puts forward several recommendations to strengthen the Green Deal’s delivery:

Recognition and resources: LRGs must be recognised as full partners, equipped with sufficient financial capacity and flexibility to adapt implementation to diverse local realities.
Better regulation and coordination: The EU should enforce existing legislation, improve policy coherence between sectors, and avoid additional administrative burdens for local governments.
Climate and energy: Ambitious targets are welcome but must be matched with adequate resources. Local authorities should be included in decision-making on National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs). Renewable energy should be treated equally, whether produced onsite or via networks such as district heating.
Circular economy: Municipalities manage nearly 500 kg of waste per capita annually and are central to recycling, waste reduction, and energy recovery. Their role must be reinforced in shaping circular consumption and production patterns.
Clean mobility: LRGs are at the forefront of decarbonising transport and public mobility, but need financial and regulatory support to modernise infrastructure and introduce innovative solutions.
Financing the transition: Investment is critical. Tools like the Just Transition Fund are welcome but insufficient. Sustainable local investments should be exempt from EU debt rules to unleash their full potential. Innovative funding mechanisms tailored to municipalities of all sizes are also needed.
Global leadership: LRGs can act as ambassadors of the Green Deal through international cooperation, capacity building, and partnerships with local authorities abroad, reinforcing Europe’s climate leadership on the global stage.

Europe’s success in delivering the Green Deal will be determined locally. Municipalities and regions are already leading in climate action, but they need recognition, resources, and flexibility to scale up their efforts. By ensuring LRGs are fully integrated into EU policies and financing, the Green Deal can drive not only a carbon-neutral Europe but also a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future.

For more information, contact:

GRIFFON Axelle

Advisor – Environment and mobility

Adapting to climate in Africa

How African cities are assessing climate risks and building resilient futures

As climate change accelerates, African cities face mounting threats to their infrastructure, economies, and public health. Rising sea levels, water scarcity, disease outbreaks, and food insecurity are just some of the growing challenges. In response, many local governments across the continent are taking voluntary steps to adapt and strengthen territorial resilience.

Adaptation is more than reacting to extreme weather, it means preparing for long-term climate impacts and turning risks into development opportunities. This involves adjusting policies, infrastructure, and urban practices to reduce vulnerability and protect communities.

A recent methodological review explores how African cities are assessing the local effects of climate change and using that knowledge to shape their adaptation strategies. Actions range from bioclimatic architecture to reduce indoor heat, to shifting agricultural practices, protecting water resources, and diversifying tourism away from climate-vulnerable coastlines.

Importantly, cities must ensure that adaptation and mitigation plans are aligned. Involving the same stakeholders in both processes supports integrated planning and more coherent climate action.

This work reflects a growing commitment among African cities to lead the way in climate adaptation by studying local risks, acting early, and building more sustainable urban futures.

For more information, contact:

Project Lead – Climate, Energy & Urban Development

GRIFFON Axelle In Climate, Climate, Energy, Energy, Environment, Environment, Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Cohesion, Press, Publications, Territorial development, Territorial development

Just transition mechanism analysis

The Just Transition Mechanism urges stronger local partnerships and clearer funding priorities

The EU’s ambition to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 is taking shape through the European Green Deal and its financing arm: the Just Transition Mechanism (JTM). In its policy analysis, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) acknowledges the value of this tool while calling for stronger local engagement and better alignment with existing cohesion funds.

The JTM, made up of the Just Transition Fund, a dedicated InvestEU scheme, and a public sector loan facility via the EIB, aims to support the territories most affected by the transition to a green economy, particularly those dependent on carbon-intensive industries.

CEMR welcomes:

The creation of new financial tools tailored to the social and economic impacts of decarbonisation, especially the Just Transition Fund, with its €7.5 billion proposal.

Inclusion of the JTF in Cohesion Policy, which ensures the application of the partnership principle and opens space for dialogue with local and regional governments in the design of transition plans.

The focus on NUTS 3 level, allowing targeted support to local realities and better alignment with community needs.

Technical assistance and peer exchange platforms can empower municipalities to replicate successful models and accelerate climate-neutral transitions.

However, CEMR expresses concern over:

Budget uncertainty: With Member States resisting increases to the EU’s overall budget, there’s a risk the JTF will simply reallocate existing cohesion funds, limiting its added value.

Overlap with existing cohesion goals: Much of the JTF’s focus, green investment, upskilling, and digitalisation, is already covered by current ESIF priorities (PO2 and PO4). Its distinct impact must be clarified.

Thematic constraints on cohesion funds: Requirements to reallocate ERDF and ESF+ funds to the JTF may reduce resources available for other local development priorities.

For CEMR, local and regional governments must remain central actors in this transition. Their involvement is key not only in planning and implementation but also in ensuring that no territory is left behind as Europe moves toward a greener, fairer future.

For more information, contact:

GRIFFON Axelle

Advisor – Environment and mobility

Financing climate action in African cities

Innovative approaches to funding sustainable urban transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa

Cities across Sub-Saharan Africa are increasingly vulnerable to climate change, with two-thirds considered at “extreme risk”. Yet, these same cities, particularly smaller and secondary urban areas, also hold significant potential to drive sustainable development. Through the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA), local governments are acting by developing Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plans (SEACAPs) and seeking ways to finance their implementation.

Building on years of support, the CoM SSA initiative is now focused on helping cities move from planning to implementation, particularly by unlocking access to climate finance. This includes support in understanding the finance landscape, preparing robust projects, and building partnerships with funders and investors.

A recent publication highlights solutions adopted by cities to finance SEACAPs, from reducing planning costs through inter-municipal cooperation to using public-private partnerships, risk-sharing mechanisms, and community-based funding models.

Key lessons include:

Diversifying financial sources improves resilience and reduces dependency. This includes crowdfunding, climate funds, local capital markets, and private investment.

Empowering communities through pooled resources, microfinance, and participatory planning ensures sustainability and buy-in.

Using digital technologies helps cities manage climate action more efficiently and affordably.

These examples illustrate that while challenges remain, Sub-Saharan African cities are making progress in creating bankable, inclusive, and resilient climate solutions, paving the way for sustainable urban futures.

For more information, contact:

Project Lead – Climate, Energy & Urban Development

Climate finance in Sub-Saharan Africa

Helping Sub-Saharan African cities access funding to deliver local climate and energy action plans

Sub-Saharan African cities are on the frontlines of the climate crisis. Rapid urbanisation has increased their exposure to climate risks and greenhouse gas emissions. To address this, signatories of the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) are developing Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plans (SEACAPs). These plans aim to foster low-carbon, resilient development while ensuring access to sustainable energy.

However, limited access to climate finance remains a major hurdle. Many local governments lack the necessary knowledge and tools to navigate the complex landscape of climate-related funding. A new publication addresses this gap by mapping out available financing instruments, eligibility criteria, and technical considerations tailored to Sub-Saharan cities.

While a range of climate finance sources exists, most are not directly accessible to local authorities, often requiring intermediaries such as national governments or development banks. To close this gap, national institutions must improve coordination, provide direct financial support, and create enabling environments for private investment. Mechanisms like Subnational Development Banks and dedicated national climate funds are also key to improving financial flows at the local level.

Development partners and the international community play a critical role by offering technical assistance for project planning, design, and implementation. With stronger multilevel cooperation, cities across the region can increase their access to climate finance and accelerate the delivery of their SEACAPs, driving both climate resilience and sustainable development.

For more information, contact:

Project Lead – Climate, Energy & Urban Development

Climate action in African cities

Lessons from the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa on energy, adaptation and resilience

The Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) is a landmark initiative launched by the European Union in 2015 to strengthen local governments’ response to climate change, promote access to clean energy, and build long-term urban resilience. With over 200 signatory cities and a strong support network of partners, the initiative has empowered local authorities to develop Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plans (SEACAPs) based on their own priorities and challenges.

At a concluding workshop held in Cape Town, participants from pilot cities, non-funded signatories, and local experts gathered to reflect on their experiences, share lessons learned, and chart the way forward for climate action at the local level.

A bottom-up approach to climate action
The CoM SSA approach is rooted in the understanding that cities, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, are uniquely positioned to implement climate policies that are both ambitious and inclusive. Through support in planning, training, technical assistance and data collection, cities were equipped to address three central themes: mitigation, adaptation and access to affordable energy.

Energy access remains one of the region’s most pressing challenges, with only 32% of the population having access to electricity. Yet despite low carbon emissions compared to global averages, African cities are disproportionately vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. This makes the integration of climate and development priorities not only desirable, but essential.

Key lessons from the ground
The workshop highlighted a set of practical insights for future projects:

Climate planning must be institutionalised across all levels of government to ensure continuity and avoid fragmentation.
Political backing is vital: champions within local councils can significantly boost project success.
Data collection is fundamental, but often difficult. Cities need targeted support to overcome technical and bureaucratic hurdles.
Stakeholder inclusion, especially at the early stages, is key to making plans locally relevant and actionable.
Behaviour change within institutions and communities is as important as infrastructure investment.
Training local officials and developing tailored communication strategies are essential to securing long-term buy-in.
Journalists and the media can play a crucial role in building public understanding, but they also need to be supported and trained.

The transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient cities in Sub-Saharan Africa is urgent, and the CoM SSA programme has laid a solid foundation for this transformation. However, participating cities stressed that they are not ready to continue alone. Continued support for capacity-building, funding, and guidance through the next phases of SEACAP implementation is essential.

To meet global climate goals and reduce inequality, both bottom-up and top-down approaches must work together. Local governments need stronger backing from national authorities and the international community to bridge the gap between policy ambition and service delivery.

Ultimately, the experience of CoM SSA cities shows that climate action in Africa must be collaborative, context-specific, and inclusive, because the future of climate resilience lies in empowering those who are closest to the challenge.

For more information, contact: