Policy Documents

EU Budget

Letter to EU Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen

Europe must use a climate neutral 2050 emissions target to be more ambitious in 2030 and cities must be involved at every step to succeed

This letter to the new EU President sets out Energy Cities’ priorities for ensuring a shared energy transition in Europe. By mobilising the entirety of the EU’s capabilities and incorporating detailed carbon budgeting to ensure that, on an annual basis, we are making the necessary emissions cuts, Europe can lead the rest of the world and show the way.

National Policies

German Mayors call upon Chancellor Merkel for greater climate support and action

A joint letter by the presidents of Energy Cities, Climate Alliance and ICLEI

The presidents of Energy Cities, Climate Alliance and ICLEI call on behalf of German cities for greater climate support and action by the German government, as the number of municipal climate emergency declarations across Germany and Europe rises.

Just Energy Transition Fund

Energy Cities shares its recommendations for the new funding instrument in the future EU budget

What is still missing in the Just Energy Transition Fund’s scope is an overarching mission to drive a radical change in energy generation and environmental responsibility that result in a genuine power shift towards local communities in transition in all EU territories.

EU Budget

2019 EU elections – Our Manifesto

What Energy Cities demands of future EU leaders

The Energy Cities manifesto is aimed at incoming MEPs with a series of demands on both a short timescale and a longer horizon.
These demands are ambitious but will deliver the changes cities and citizens need to develop sustainably.
Time is short. But the window for decisive action on climate change is still open. We need brave and bold EU leaders to heed our call and deliver a shared energy transition.

EU Climate Action

Cities call for a more sustainable and equitable European future

An open letter to the European Council and its Member States

President of the European Council,Heads of States and Governments of the European Union Member States, We, the undersigned mayors and heads of local governments have […]

EU Climate Action

Cities at the forefront of climate action

Achieving the Paris Climate goals through the effort sharing regulation

The contribution of cities and regions in reaching the European climate and energy targets is already significant. Yet, much more is possible with an enabling, stable and ambitious policy framework and effective access to financing. A strong Effort Sharing Regulation – without loopholes – can support and incentivise the uptake, replication and upscaling of local climate and energy actions. Creating the right conditions to enable climate efforts to propel will moreover lead to numerous co-benefits and a better quality of life for the millions of urban residents.

EU Energy Union Governance

From pipe dreams to local means: Call for a new Energy Union governance

A Guidance Paper to assist Member States

The governance of the grand Energy Union project is the framework through which Member States will be expected to report on the achievement of the 2030 climate and energy targets as well as associated policy design. What role will and should be given to local authorities within this context? Can we still rely on old decision-making architectures when while moving to the future, decentralised energy system? In this publication, Energy Cities provides some possible guidance and orientations on how to revisit the governance framework based on a “think local first” approach.