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Small stories and big news for those committed to a locally-driven energy transition.
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Urban transition-makers in Brest
Brest Métropole gets ready to work with citizens for the energy, climate and societal transition
The metropolitan government of Brest is getting ready to organise a first major event dedicated to the involvement of local players and citizens in the […]
Grenoble awarded EU Green Capital 2022
Get to know this local champion for participative governance
Energy Cities’ member Grenoble won the prestigious EU Green Capital award last week! Grenoble impressed the European jury of experts with its pioneering approach to […]
Do the final National Energy and Climate Plans finally acknowledge cities’ key role?
New Energy Cities report reveals persistent lack of recognition towards local action by many EU countries
With all EU Member States having submitted their final national energy and climate plans (NECPs), Energy Cities has explored whether EU countries have improved in acknowledging the key role of local authorities, compared to their draft NECPs.
Active democracy
Policy op-ed by Claire Roumet
I remember a speech by Ada Colau, Mayor of Barcelona, addressing participants from all over the world at the first Fearless Cities summit in 2017. […]
Valencia’s stakeholder alliance: Weaving the energy question into the social fabric
How Valencia shapes its new normality
The City of Valencia just recently joined Energy Cities’ Board of Directors. Alejandro Ramon Àlvarez, Councillor in charge of the climate emergency and the energy transition for the city, talked to our colleague Miriam Eisermann about Covid, citizen participation and the keenness to share with others.
The European Climate Law: is it enough to get to climate neutrality?
Learn about the latest developments in EU policy in Energy Cities' What's EUp? - October 2020
It is the legal backbone of the EU’s bid to become climate-neutral by 2050. The European Climate Law is supposed to enshrine and mainstream the 2050 climate neutrality objective into European legislation. For the Commission, the success of the Climate Law will make or break the ambitions of the Green Deal put forward by President Ursula von der Leyen. As the EU institutions are about to hash out the final details of the Climate Law, Energy Cities analyzes whether this first-of-a-kind European legislation is sufficient to get the EU to climate neutrality by mid-century.
Register now to the European Week of Regions & Cities!
Our suggestions for this year’s digital edition
Every year, the European Week of Regions and Cities brings together European regions and cities to promote learnings and good practice of regional policy-making. Due […]
Help us shape the future of the Covenant of Mayors movement
Until 15 September, all local and regional governments across Europe are invited to influence the developments of the Covenant of Mayors through an online survey.
2020 stands out as a peculiar year for Europe. It is indeed a key moment, as the EU should evaluate whether we are on track […]
A Climate Pact for Luddites
How the Green Deal’s most ambitious element connects everything - including Zoom calls, Ada Lovelace and Frans Timmermans
“Jim, you’re on mute.” “We can see you talking Jim, but we can’t hear you.” “I’ll send Jim a message that he hasn’t turned on […]
How Local Authorities can encourage citizen participation in energy transitions
By Dr Sioned Haf, Bangor University, Cymru | Wales
During this time in which countries across the European continent and beyond are affected by the impact of the Covid-19 virus, it is noteworthy that […]
How can Europe emerge stronger out of the current crisis?
Our letter to the President of the European Commission
Energy Cities’ President addressed a letter to the European Commission President von der Leyen to present our solution, in order to ensure economic recovery and […]
European Green Deal at 100 days – high in ambition, but not (yet) a game changer
What's EUp March 2020
As the new EU Commission hits its 100 day benchmark, it is time to analyze how its flagship programme to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent has performed so far. The European Green Deal has already brought forth various ambitious measures, ranging from funding to governance. However, it has not yet triggered the necessary paradigm shift needed to deliver the transition.
