In 2023, we invite you to join us in designing a blueprint for local energy

Adaping the rules on the energy market and redirecting European funds: two priorities to support the transition of ALL territories.


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Publication date

January 17, 2023

That’s the essence of our proposed policy agenda for this year.

Gas and electricity markets follow European rules – these must be revisited.

Reducing price volatility, investing in stable and renewable production (and reducing sensitivity to geopolitical and climate-related events), introducing fair pricing (that differentiates between daily needs and “luxury” consumption)… All of this requires more than just tinkering around the edges of the rules.

We invite you to join us in imagining the desired reforms, starting mid-February with online sessions, then on 20 April in Paris, and in May in Bordeaux. These exploratory discussions will serve as preparation for our major policy debate with the European institutions, which will take place in Brussels on the 14 June, 2023.

All territories must plan for transformation, starting today.

Breaking our dependence on fossil fuels, for food, heating, mobility and our daily lives, is the only future we can envisage.

Every territory must therefore map out a detailed pathway that is appropriate to its context, its potential and its history. The time when innovation was led by a handful of pioneers, who then shared what they learned with the “stragglers”, has passed. European research programmes must be adapted to support interim sharing of the knowledge acquired by each territory while the research is still ongoing.

Learning means more than exchanging knowledge.

The Covenant of Mayors is a tremendous initiative for securing commitment, but it must become a learning community for all territories involved. Learning means more than exchanging knowledge, and a community is more than a shared commitment. Our first major event will be the Covenant of Mayors conference on 30 March in Brussels, followed by a number of key events, including the biennial meeting for cities in transition in Grenoble on 5 and 6 June.

Finally, Energy Cities’ forum, which we’re organising with our long-time partner, Climate Alliance, during the Bioarchitecture Week in Modena (Italy), will highlight how much has already been achieved in the transformation of our cities. And for that, we’re counting on you!