Energy Cities endorses Cities Manifesto for Fossil-Free Heating and Cooling

In mid-July, the EU will issue key proposals to address heat decarbonisation – the so-called “Fit for 55” package. It is a critical moment, as this legislative package will determine the direction of heating and cooling policies in the EU for decades to come. Moreover, it will be essential in keeping the bar high on energy and climate action, and in pushing a systemic shift to rethink the heat sector: with cities at the epicenter of this shift, using the right mix of solutions including renewables, circularity (e.g. waste heat) and infrastructure (such as district heating and cooling networks).

To ensure that cities’ needs and leadership role are taken on board in this pivotal moment for the future of heating and cooling, Energy Cities is endorsing, together with its partners Celsius Cities, #DHCities and FEDARENE, the Cities Manifesto for Fossil-Free Heating and Cooling.

The aim of the Cities Manifesto is to send a strong signal to the EU and Member States, that fossil-free heating and cooling will only be achieved if cities are properly supported and empowered to drive this transition. With this Manifesto, Energy Cities and its partners are laying out tangible pathways in three key areas to enable cities to go fossil-free in their heat sector:

• Empower and include cities in the EU and national energy transition, and leverage their expertise in national energy strategies;
• Local heat planning for cities to have a clear picture of available local sources, challenges, opportunities and project implementation support;
• Create the right incentives for the utilization of waste heat in heat networks, and accelerate the uptake of waste heat in heat networks to decarbonize the heating and cooling system;

25+ cities across Europe have already endorsed the Cities Manifesto for Fossil-Free Heating and Cooling . Thereby, they have demonstrated to the EU and Member States that cities are essential to pushing the long-term shift towards fossil-free heating and cooling.  

Join Energy Cities in supporting the city movement for fossil-free heating and cooling!

Cities and local governments from across Europe can endorse the Cities Manifesto. This European initiative aims to build a city movement for fossil-free heating and cooling in the course of 2021, and counts on support from cities as key actors to raise its visibility and momentum. Is your city also keen on endorsing the Cities Manifesto for Fossil-Free Heating and Cooling? Then feel free to get in touch with us to see how you can join!