Policy News

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 […]

Are gas boilers the new diesel cars?

Why Low Emissions Zones for heating could be the next step in achieving a net zero Europe

I need to buy a new car next year. The Brussels region Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) means that my rather battered and polluting diesel 2008 […]

EU Climate Law should safeguard local action and reform economic governance

Energy Cities proposes three reforms that will make the difference

As representatives of European local authorities, Energy Cities believes the European Green Deal, and more particularly the Climate Law, should provide a springboard for mainstreaming these new sustainable trends and practices.

Condominiums require recognition in the Renovation Wave

Policy recommendations for a better support of multi-apartment house renovations

With their shared envelope and multiple occupants and owners, deep retrofit of condominiums presents particular challenges. These require recognition in policy at the EU and national level in order to develop the ‘enabling environment’ required to accelerate deep retrofit.

There isn’t one renovation wave

A district-level approach is needed to move quickly and deeply

Policies to promote home renovation have often failed in the past because they have taken the obvious, and incorrect, starting point – the home. Instead, […]

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.

Help build the EU’s Climate Pact

Consultation launched on how cities will form the foundation of the EU's Climate Pact

A broad consultation on the proposed Climate Pact has been launched by the European Commission. The Climate Pact is one of the strategic pillars of […]

EU Climate Law enshrines 2050 target but misses climate proofing

Updated 2030 emissions target due in September

The EU Commission today unveiled their climate law enshrining the target of climate neutrality across the entire EU by 2050. Because it is set for […]

Is your city eligible for the Just Transition Fund?

Regional breakdown of €7.5bn Just Transition Fund announced

The €7.5bn Just Transition Fund will be shared across the 27 countries of the EU. What began life as a proposal to help coal-dependent regions […]

A little space to think

Policy op-ed by Claire Roumet

This week, my director colleagues (ICLEI Europe, Climate Alliance, CEMR, Eurocities, Fedarene), and I met with the faculty of new European Commissioners. Therefore, I would […]

The local view on EU policies

Energy Cities is the local authorities’ watchdog on European and national energy and climate policies. Now that Brussels has formally adopted its “clean energy package”, we monitor how the progressive provisions we advocated for are being translated at national level. On the EU front, we continue to call for a better alignment of energy, regional and agricultural policies and for an overall budget in line with the 2050 decarbonisation objective.