Fossil-free districts & buildings

Ensuring our energy system’s stability through diversified local renewable energy sources, strong energy public services & improved energy efficiency & sufficiency.

what are the hubs ?

We, at Energy Cities, are driven by a desire to strengthen the role and skills of local governments. The hubs are the community spaces that help us achieving our target impacts and goals by:

  • activating local leaders to deliver living spaces that are accessible to everyone
  • empowering local communities to decide on their own future
  • inspiring a learning community of cities engaged in future proofing their economies

join the hubs !

Our members are diverse cities and local organisations.
Hubs membership is totally free!

There are no conditions to join other than the ambition and the commitment to share experiences.

Register here

Hub coordinator

Nicolas Raimondi
Nicolas Raimondi
EU Policy and Project Management

About the hub

Are you willing to reduce your municipality’s energy needs? Are you looking for ways to develop heat planning and use local heating and cooling sources efficiently while involving citizens and stakeholders? Are you developing support mechanisms to foster deep renovations and positive energy districts? Then the Fossil free districts and buildings Hub is for you!

Together, we will coordinate efforts to improve financial, technical, and human capacities for cities. We will explore local and national legislation as well as public actions to trigger the energy system’s decarbonisation, while putting in debate the questions of governance, energy public services and ownerships. Through this, we will support cities in choosing the best local energy mix and decarbonising their built environment.

Discover our learning offer!

Upcoming events All events

23 Sep - 24 Sep

conference

Mix Brussels, Boulevard du Souverain, Watermael-Boitsfort, Belgium

Heat Pump Forum & Awards 2025 – Securing Europe’s energy future

The Heat Pump Forum & Awards is the flagship annual event of the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA), bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, innovators, and […]

23 Sep

conference

Mix Brussels, Boulevard du Souverain 25/1, 1170 Watermael-Boitsfort, Belgium

Accelerating Renewable Heating and Cooling for a Decarbonised Europe

Join us at Mix for the final event of the REDI4HEAT project, where policymakers, industry leaders, energy experts, and local authorities will come together to explore the transformative outcomes […]

01 Oct - 03 Oct

conference

Catella Foundation, Milan, Italy

Driving Urban Transition Conference: Positive Energy Futures – From Local Positive Energy District Pilots to European Practice

Since the start of a dedicated ambition of the European SET Plan in 2018, the concept of Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) has been positioned as […]

15 Oct

conference

Comics Art Museum, Rue des Sables 20, Bruxelles, Belgium

EU Peers Summit 2025: How cities and regions are benefitting from One-Stop Shops!

Do you want to give access to ambitious, high quality, safe and simple energy renovation to all your citizens? Do you want to boost your […]

15 Oct

Workshop

Brussels, Belgium

Mayor’s Club dinner – Financing local heating and cooling infrastructure

This informal dinner aims to gather local and EU elected representatives to exchange views and knowledge on the challenges of decarbonising local heating and cooling systems, […]

16 Oct

conference

European Parliament, Rue Wiertz, Bruxelles, Belgium

EU Covenant of Mayors Ceremony 2025 

At a time of mounting geopolitical challenges and accelerating climate risks, the role of Europe’s towns, cities, and regions has never been more vital. This […]

05 Nov - 06 Nov

summit

Brussels, Belgium

Euroheat & Power Summit 2025

The Euroheat & Power Summit is Euroheat & Power’s high-level, not-to-be-missed policy event, offering key insights into EU legislation and emerging trends shaping Europe’s heating […]

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347 results displayed
News
Besançon’s decarbonisation strategy: Expanding a proven local heating network

Besançon’s decarbonisation strategy: Expanding a proven local heating network

By leveraging its historic district heating system and prioritising renewable energy, Besançon is delivering affordable, sustainable heat while combating energy poverty. 

Heating & Cooling
Renewables
Decarbonisation
Local governments
Fossil-free cities

17/09/2025

In Eastern France, Besançon is renowned for its green spaces and high quality of life. Now, the city is building on a district heating network […]
Interviews
Municipal innovation for an all-electric future 

Municipal innovation for an all-electric future 

Interview with Ilkka Räsänen, Environmental Director at Municipality of Lapeenranta

Heating & Cooling
Local governance
Fossil-free cities
Community energy

11/09/2025

Ilkka Räsänen takes us behind the scenes of his city's heat strategy - with a special pride for their thermal storage systems. Besides the tech-focus, their collaborative heat policy is strongly anchored in the partnership with the university: research flows into policy and vice-versa. Lapeenranta is another example that cities are driving the clean heating transition.
News
How European cities are leading the clean heat transition

How European cities are leading the clean heat transition

Get inspired by innovative approaches to decarbonise heating and cooling

Energy efficiency & Buildings
Heating & Cooling
Renewables
European policies
Decarbonisation
Fossil-free cities

10/09/2025

Heating and cooling represent nearly 50% of the EU’s total energy consumption, much of which still relies on fossil fuels. To reduce this dependence, the […]
News
European cities step up as record heatwaves highlight urgent need for climate adaptation

European cities step up as record heatwaves highlight urgent need for climate adaptation

The Covenant of Mayors' Cities Refresh campaign brings together cities in their efforts to tackle extreme heat

Resilience
Climate adaptation
Local governance
Fossil-free cities
Fair economies

22/07/2025

As extreme heat stifles Europe, people living in cities are amongst those who suffer the most. Local governments across Europe are acting faced with this threat, rethinking their cities and putting in place clear protocols to protect their populations.
Advocacy
EU budget proposals risk cutting out cities and regions

EU budget proposals risk cutting out cities and regions

The Local Alliance reacts to the EU budget structure

Local governance
Fossil-free cities
Community energy
Food systems
Fair economies

17/07/2025

The 2028-2034 MFF approach risks centralising the EU budget, weakening Cohesion Policy, and marginalising local and regional governments in the policy design and implementation. 

Projects All projects

MUSE DHC

MUSE DHC

coMmUnity-led actionS for Efficient District Heating & Cooling
MUSE DHC

The MUSE DHC project (coMmUnity-led actionS for Efficient District Heating & Cooling), funded by the LIFE programme, aims to accelerate the decarbonisation of Europe’s heating […]

Support Service for Citizen-led Renovation (CLR)

Support Service for Citizen-led Renovation (CLR)

Empowering Citizen-led renovation!
Support Service for Citizen-led Renovation (CLR)

Residential buildings remain among the most energy-intensive sectors, with space heating alone accounting for over 60% of household energy consumption in the European Union. Despite […]

EUREKA

EUREKA

European URban Exchanging Knowldge on climAte neutrality
EUREKA

Project context Cities take up 4% of the EU’s land area, but are home to 75% of the EU population and consume up to 80% […]

SPARKLE

SPARKLE

Sustainable Planning And Resilience Knowledge Learning Environment
SPARKLE

SPARKLE – Sustainable Planning and Resilience Knowledge Learning Environment is a pioneering programme that will develop the capacities of over 600 Local and Regional Authorities […]