THE COVENANT OF MAYORS

The Covenant of Mayors is the mainstream European movement involving local and regional authorities, voluntarily committing to increasing energy efficiency and use of renewable energy sources on their territories. By their commitment, Covenant signatories aim to meet and exceed the European Union 20% CO2 reduction objective by 2020.

THE COVENANT AT-A-GLANCE After the adoption, in 2008, of the EU

Climate and Energy Package, the European Commission launched the Covenant of Mayors to endorse and support the efforts deployed by local authorities in the implementation of sustainable energy policies. Indeed, local governments play a crucial role in mitigating the effects of climate change, all the more so when considering that 80% of energy consumption and CO2 emissions is associated with urban activity.

For its unique characteristics - being the only movement of its kind mobilising local and regional actors around the fulfilment of EU objectives - the Covenant of Mayors has been portrayed by European institutions as an exceptional model of multi-level governance.

ACTIONS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES In order to translate their political

commitment into concrete measures and projects, Covenant signatories notably undertake to prepare a Baseline Emission Inventory and submit, within the year following their signature, a Sustainable Energy Action Plan outlining the key actions they plan to undertake.

Beyond energy savings, the results of signatories’ actions are manifold: creation of skilled and stable jobs, not subject to delocalisation; healthier environment and quality of life; enhanced economic competitiveness and greater energy independence. These actions serve as examples for others to follow, notably through referring to the “Benchmarks of Excellence”, a database of best practices submitted by Covenant signatories. The Catalogue of Sustainable Energy Action Plans is another such unique source of inspiration, as it shows at a glance the ambitious objectives set by other signatories and the key measures they have identified to reach them.

MULTIFACETED SUPPORT In signatories’ countries

While an increasing number of municipalities are showing the political will to sign up to the Covenant, they do not always have the financial and technical resources to live up to their commitments. For this reason, a special status within the Covenant has been granted to public administrations and networks which are in a position to assist signatories in fulfilling their ambitious goals.

Covenant Coordinators - including provinces, regions and national authorities – provide strategic guidance, financial and technical support to signatories.

Network of local authorities, known as Covenant Supporters, commit to maximize the impact of the initiative through promotional activities, liaison with their members and experience-sharing platforms.

From the Covenant of Mayors Office Promotional, technical and administrative assistance is provided on a daily basis to Covenant signatories, Covenant Coordinators Covenant Coordinators The European Commission defines “Covenant Coordinators” as those public administrations which provide strategic guidance, financial and technical support to municipalities signing up to the Covenant of Mayors but lacking necessary skills and/or resources to fulfil their requirements. The Commission distinguishes between Territorial Coordinators, which are sub-national decentralized authorities - including provinces, regions and public groupings of municipalities - and National Coordinators, which are national public bodies - including national energy agencies and ministry of energy. and Covenant Supporters by the Covenant of Mayors Office (CoMO), managed by a consortium of networks representing local and regional authorities.

From the Joint Research Centre In cooperation with the CoMO, the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission assists signatories with scientific and technical questions, mostly related to emission inventories and action plans.

Signatories are guided through the process thanks to a number of tools and methodologies which have been developed in coordination with the CoMO.

From the EU institutions Alongside the European Commission, the Covenant benefits from full institutional support, including from the Committee of the Regions, which supported the initiative since its inception; the European Parliament, where the two first signing ceremonies were held; and the European Investment Bank, which assists local authorities in unlocking their investment potentials.