Mayors across Europe are stepping up their climate ambitions

Signatories of the Covenant of Mayors - Europe officially endorsed their new vision for this movement on 21 April


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Author

Marie Royer

Publication date

May 4, 2021

Considering the current climate emergency, and in a joint effort to keep global temperature rise below 1.5°C, local leaders across Europe commit to making climate action their overarching priority. Their vision is that “by 2050, we will all be living in decarbonised and resilient cities with access to affordable, secure and sustainable energy.

The renewed ambitions of the Covenant of Mayors – Europe emphasize the need to make sure no one and no place is left behind in the climate and energy transition, by tackling energy poverty for instance. And while acknowledging the fact that all European regions and cities are at different stages in their transition, Covenant of Mayors signatories are reasserting their will to inspire and learn from each other in this process.

In concrete terms, Covenant of Mayors signatories commit to reducing even more drastically greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for the negative impacts of climate change by:

  1. COMMITTING to setting mid- and long-term targets, consistent with the EU objectives, and at least as ambitious as national targets to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
  2. ENGAGING citizens, businesses and governments at all levels in the implementation of this vision and in the transformation of social and economic systems.
  3. ACTING together to accelerate the necessary transition: develop and implement an action plan that will include provisions on how to mitigate and adapt to climate change, while remaining inclusive.
  4. NETWORKING with fellow mayors and local leaders, in Europe and beyond, to get inspiration from each other.

All European local authorities are invited to join the movement! Find out how here.

THE COVENANT OF MAYORS

The Covenant of Mayors is the world’s largest movement for local climate and energy actions. In Europe, over 10,000 cities and towns are joining forces to secure a better future for their citizens.