Policy Documents
Energy Cities advocates for EU and national legislations that enable cities and regions to be liveable and long-lasting places. We take a firm stand on topical energy issues and advise on ways to reconcile energy policies with local development priorities.
Phasing out new fossil-fuel based boilers is vital to achieving the EU’s climate commitments
Joint open letter to European Commission's VP Timmermans
Dear Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans, There is increased attention to the role that buildings must play in the climate transition. The EU’s 2030 climate target […]
EU Renewable Energy Policy
Myth buster on gases and renewable heating technologies
Natural gas accounts for about 45% of European households heating. It is the most widely used energy but is perceived as less environmentally damaging than […]
EU Renewable Energy Policy
Policy paper for fossil-free districts and cities
Why and how fossil fuels in buildings will be history by 2050
By 2050, fossil fuels in cities will hopefully be history. Renewable technologies that are already available, such as heat pumps and heat networks, will make […]
EU Climate Action
Cities Manifesto for Fossil-Free Heating and Cooling
New European initiative calls for cities to be in the driving seat of the heat transition
Energy Cities, Celsius Cities, #DHCities, FEDARENE and 25+ cities across Europe joined forces to urge the EU and Member States to properly support and empower […]
EU Climate Action
Hydrogen: everything a city needs to know
Energy Cities' position on the role of hydrogen in cities
Hydrogen has long been identified as an alternative to fossil fuels. First in the 70s, especially in Japan, and then again in the 2000s. But […]
Energy Cities joins broad coalition calling on EU not to rely on hydrogen to decarbonise buildings
33 businesses, industry associations, NGOs, and think tanks joined forces to urge the European Commission to prioritise available efficient and sustainable solutions to decarbonise Europe’s […]
EU Electricity Market Rules
Public consultation on future EU strategy for smart sector integration
How the EU's flagship initiative for the future energy market should provide a springboard for empowering local heating & cooling
The EU strategy for smart sector integration is an upcoming EU Commission proposal under the Green Deal, which aims to strengthen links across the different sectors in Europe’s energy system. Energy Cities shares its views in the public consultation on how this strategy should harness the full local energy potential, in particular in the field of heating & cooling.
EU Lending Policy
Public consultation on the European Investment Bank Energy Lending Policy
What the EU's lending arm should prioritize in its funding policy
In view of the public consultation on the future energy lending policy of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Energy Cities shares its recommendations to ensure that the EIB divests from fossil fuels and invests instead in the Paris-proof energy transition.
EU Energy Union Governance
Local State of the Energy Union
Beyond cables and pipelines : A brighter state of the Energy Union
The Energy Union must be an opportunity to accelerate the energy transition and define the roles, rights and responsibilities of the new actors who are its main protagonists. Energy Cities makes recommendations to European decision-makers to support this local momentum through the five pillars of the Energy Union: # 1 decarbonisation, # 2 energy security, # 3 internal market, # 4 energy efficiency and # 5 research and development innovation.
EU Electricity Market Rules
Joint Position Paper on EU Heating and Cooling Strategy
New strategy should be fully integrated in EU energy and climate policies
Energy Cities joins forces with industry associations representing the geothermal, solar thermal, heat pump, biomass, biogas, and district heating and cooling sectors to require structural reforms in EU climate and energy legislation, taking full account of the EU Heating and Cooling Strategy
