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The EU Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy supports cities and towns in taking action on climate mitigation and adaptation. The initiative helps local authorities contribute to EU climate and energy goals through commitments, planning frameworks, guidance, tools and opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Key messages
Europe’s largest and most diverse coalition of local governments: Over 10,500 cities and towns—from capitals to small villages—covering nearly 220 million citizens.
Steered by mayors: A Board of mayors amplifies local leadership on EU and global stages, ensuring local experiences shape climate solutions.
Goal: Support cities, towns and communities to take urgent local action to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, increase resilience to climate impacts, and tackle energy poverty.
The EU Covenant of Mayors for adaptation provides a tailor-made funding guide for adaptation at local and regional levels with multiple filter options.
The Covenant turns EU climate targets into tangible local action, helping municipalities reduce emissions, strengthen resilience, and ensure a just energy transition.
Source: EU Covenant of Mayors
Signatories’ Commitments (3 Pillars):
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and work toward climate neutrality by 2050.
Increasing resilience:
Preparing cities, towns and communities for climate impacts such as heatwaves, flooding, and extreme weather.
Tackling energy poverty:
Ensuring that clean energy transition is fair, inclusive, and accessible for all citizens.
What the initiative offers to signatories:
Structured planning: Guidance to develop Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs) combining mitigation, adaptation, and energy equity.
Practical support and tools: Methodologies, helpdesks, templates, case studies, and knowledge hubs.
Peer-learning and networking: City twinning, webinars, workshops, and collaboration with other signatories.
Multilevel collaboration: Support from national and regional coordinators to implement actions locally.
Credibility and visibility: Progress reviewed by the Joint Research Centre, ensuring scientific rigor and recognition at European and global levels.
Why the EU Covenant of Mayors matters to climate change adaptation
As adaptation actions are implemented locally, cities, towns and municipalities play a crucial role in strengthening resilience on the ground. The EU Covenant of Mayors supports local authorities in turning climate commitments into practical action by encouraging strategic planning, assessing climate risks, setting adaptation targets, monitoring progress and sharing solutions. This is particularly important as local authorities are often at the forefront of climate impacts, while facing challenges related to capacity, expertise and funding. By connecting thousands of local authorities across Europe, the initiative facilitates knowledge exchange, promotes effective adaptation practices and supports more coordinated responses to climate risks, helping communities become safer and more resilient.
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This translation is generated by eTranslation, a machine translation tool provided by the European Commission.
Exclusion of liability
This translation is generated by eTranslation, a machine translation tool provided by the European Commission.