Multi-level action for

www.eumayors.eu

FINAL-Mayors-2013.indd 1 6/17/13 10:09 AM COVENANT COVENANT NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS COMPANIES & CITIZENS COORDINATORS SUPPORTERS & ENABLERS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

We live in an interconnected world. Multi-source, decentralised THE COVENANT EXPERIENCE information-sharing and cooperation systems are becoming ever more important in all areas of social, economic and cultural life. The Covenant of Mayors for local sustainable energy is a very concrete demonstration of this trend. Its Our experience in building sustainable energy story started in 2008, when - after the adoption of the EU concepts with cities dates back to 2007 with the climate and energy package - the creation of the Covenant of Mayors. decided to directly involve municipalities in reaching the 2020 objectives. By committing to the Covenant, an initial Günther Oettinger group of some 300 mayors voluntarily undertook to adopt EU Commissioner for Energy a sustainable energy action plan (SEAP), rethinking the way their city operates and bringing them closer to energy self-suffi ciency, with measures favouring local economic development and improving citizens’ quality of life. Just a few years later, the Covenant extended to thousands of local authorities – including almost all EU capitals - and an increasing number of stakeholders, establishing itself as one of the most emblematic examples of multi-level governance and bottom-up action in .

2

FINAL-Mayors-2013.indd 2 6/17/13 10:09 AM COVENANT COVENANT NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS COMPANIES & CITIZENS COORDINATORS SUPPORTERS & ENABLERS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

With this initiative came the launch of a new framework, which At local and national levels, energy alliances are shaping up accelerated the take up of relevant European policies and under the impulse of the Covenant, with the objective of involv- funding instruments at local level, starting with the mayor’s ing all the local community members in building a sustainable political endorsement of EU objectives – and the adoption of energy future. In this spirit, national “clubs” of signatories are a long-term vision for local sustainable development – and emerging as platforms bringing together local authorities from culminating with integrated planning and concrete SEAP the same country to voice aspirations towards national and EU initiatives. A large array of stakeholders has come into the legislators, and share their country’s best practices. Likewise, picture to make these aspirations a reality, illustrating that the citizens are closely associated to the development of SEAPs long process of energy transition requires the involvement of a and encouraged to take action. Last but not least, academic wide spectrum of players, at all government and society levels. bodies and universities play a considerable role in assisting municipalities with the development of their SEAP and emission In their own country, Covenant Signatories are supported by inventory. provinces and regions – which play a coordination role in the initiative – but also by energy agencies and associations of The Covenant of Mayors’ success has helped to emphasize local authorities. the crucial role played by local authorities, not only in delivering the EU climate and energy objectives, but also in combining The private sector’s contribution is also a crucial dimension of technology deployment with other forms of , related the Covenant of Mayors, notably through the formal involvement to governance, public administration and social aspects. of companies’ federations acting as Associated Partners to Although cities are ideally placed to act on all these fronts, they the initiative. National and European financial institutions face the dual challenge of achieving economic competitiveness are yet another category of stakeholders, which have launched and sustainable urban development. Such an ambitious task funding and technical assistance schemes supporting SEAP requires the support of various allies and partners, which implementation and the development of related bankable the present leaflet will seek to profile. investment programmes.

3

FINAL-Mayors-2013.indd 3 6/17/13 10:09 AM COVENANT COVENANT NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS COMPANIES & CITIZENS COORDINATORS SUPPORTERS & ENABLERS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Commenting on the initiative, Director at the European COVENANT COORDINATORS Commission’s DG Energy Marie Donnelly once said that “The success of the Covenant has shown the importance of multi- level governance in the fi ght against ”. The Covenant of Mayors has established a Innovative cooperation schemes are indeed one of the key common framework which has had a mobilising effect features of the initiative, which has triggered a new cooperation on municipalities across the province. It has allowed dynamic between local, provincial, regional, national and local authorities with very different characteristics to all European administrations across Europe. By joining the play their part in the fi ght against climate change. movement as “Covenant Coordinators”, provinces, regions, national energy agencies, ministries and other eligible public Salvador Esteve, administrations have managed to integrate sustainable President of the Provincial Council energy initiatives within a coherent, strategic framework, encouraging local authorities to join fellow European cities in signing the Covenant of Mayors and then supporting them

in achieving their CO2 reduction commitments through the implementation of sustainable energy policies.

In the framework of an agreement signed with the European Commission, Covenant Coordinators pledge to support municipalities in obtaining the technical, fi nancial and human resource capacities to develop their SEAPs.

4

FINAL-Mayors-2013.indd 4 6/17/13 10:09 AM COVENANT COVENANT NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS COMPANIES & CITIZENS COORDINATORS SUPPORTERS & ENABLERS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Over half of the signatories have joined the initiative thanks support provided by Covenant Coordinators. In addition, the to the efforts of these Coordinators, especially in decentralised cooperation of regions, provinces and other such territorial countries like Spain and Italy where small-sized local administrations has led to the development of dedicated authorities are encouraged by their provinces and regions methodologies and tools further guiding local authorities to commit to the EU climate and energy objectives. In through the process of developing sustainable energy policies. addition, these public administrations are often responsible for the management of structural funds and thus well-placed to direct EU funding to well-structured sustainable energy The Covenant of Mayors has helped mobilising all levels of plans for local economic development, ie the Covenant of government around a common objective, thus reinforcing Mayors SEAPs. institutional cooperation and territorial cohesion in the countries concerned. This decentralised support has come handy for the (JRC) – in charge of analysing the SEAPs This has contributed to the mainstreaming of a multi-level - and the Covenant of Mayors Office (CoMO), which have approach, reinforcing existing cooperation between European sought the help of Covenant Coordinators to provide institutions, national and sub-national governments, allowing tailored assistance to an ever larger number of signatories. to better connect European objectives with national and local Testimony to their achievement is the fact that the majority of priorities. SEAPs received by the CoMO are submitted thanks to the

5

FINAL-Mayors-2013.indd 5 6/17/13 10:09 AM COVENANT COVENANT NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS COMPANIES & CITIZENS COORDINATORS SUPPORTERS & ENABLERS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Zealand Region Territorial strategies Support for the organization of the 2013 Climate Festival, as a in concrete examples… framework for the municipal Energy Days. CITIZENS ENGAGEMENT Province of Rome Development of a dedicated website on the Covenant in the province to provide timely information about the initiative.

Province of Venice Andalusia Region Development of a common web tool to collect The regional administration has created the “Andalusia Covenant of and manage energy data at municipal and Mayors team”, made up of the region, all the provinces, the association of provincial levels. Andalusian municipalities and the provincial energy agencies. This structure is led and coordinated by the region. Province of Alicante TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Earmarking of €4 million from the administration budget to assist signatories The Netherlands Energy Agency TERRITORIAL COOPERATION SCHEME with the development of their SEAP. Launch of an online system to track action plan progress and compare energy data Limburg Province with other municipalities. IIn line with its objective of becoming climate neutral by 2020 - and to assist FINANCIAL SUPPORT the 44 municipalities with their Covenant commitments - the Province of Limburg is joining forces with three key partners: Bond Beter Leefmilieu Sardinia Region – a Flemish environmental organisation-, Infrax – a distribution network Creation of a €70 million JESSICA EIB operator- and Dubolimburg, a centre for support of sustainable construction. holding fund to fi nance energy effi ciency projects in signatory municipalities.

Prešov Region Creation of a dedicated Covenant of Mayors regional platform including energy experts and representatives of local authorities. EXPERIENCE SHARING Province of Barcelona Dissemination of a brochure detailing the results of the fi rst 50 SEAPs elaborated in the province. 6

FINAL-Mayors-2013.indd 6 6/17/13 10:10 AM COVENANT COVENANT NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS COMPANIES & CITIZENS COORDINATORS SUPPORTERS & ENABLERS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Another crucial category of stakeholders involved in the COVENANT SUPPORTERS initiative as “Covenant Supporters” are the associations of local and regional authorities which provide guidance and networking support to signatories, in an effort to help them meet their commitments. With the European Electromobility Observatory, a new instrument funded by the EU and led by HyER Whether they operate at regional, national or European level, - we want to support the Covenant of Mayors in its these networks have a sound knowledge of their members’

outstanding efforts to reduce CO2 emissions by 2020 needs and priorities, and are ideally placed to ensure that with fact-based policy recommendations on how while European objectives are conveyed on the ground, EU member states and regional stakeholders are the aspirations expressed at local level also make their progressing towards sustainable transport and the way back to EU institutions. These associations thus play a associated infrastructure. bridging role, communicating the latest Covenant of Mayors developments to signatory cities, while simultaneously informing the EU about the successes and challenges Andreas Ziolek, experienced at local and regional levels. Chairman of the Board of HyER, the European Association for Hydrogen, Fuel Cells More specifi cally, they have a twofold mission consistingof and Electro-mobility in European Regions the promotion of the initiative and the provision of support to their signatory members in reaching their Covenant of Mayors objectives.

7

FINAL-Mayors-2013.indd 7 6/17/13 10:10 AM COVENANT COVENANT NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS COMPANIES & CITIZENS COORDINATORS SUPPORTERS & ENABLERS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

The promotion usually takes various shapes, including Covenant Supporters are involved. Another crucial dimension information posting on their communication channels and of this technical assistance is the support provided to the organisation of a wide spectrum of events. They signatories in mobilising financing. Covenant Supporters also provide decentralised assistance to the work of the are very active in this field, providing information about Covenant of Mayors Office, overcoming the language barrier funding opportunities and sometimes even assisting their and ensuring timely exchange of information. Likewise, they members with the preparation of financial applications and facilitate contacts with universities, consultants, energy tendering procedures. These associations therefore have a agencies, experts, ministries, etc. decisive leverage effect on the Covenant of Mayors impact, as they play a multiplier role, reaching out to a substantial Once their member cities become Covenant Signatories, the number of local authorities through their large member base. emphasis often shifts to capacity building and technical support, through various methods including training and Aside from promotion and technical aspects, Covenant experience-sharing sessions, study tours, dissemination Supporters contribute to asserting the political dimension of of useful resources, guidelines and methodologies. This is the Covenant. Among those surveyed by the Covenant of often facilitated in the framework of EU projects related to Mayors Office, over three quarter regularly refer to the initiative the Covenant of Mayors, and in which a large number of in their political campaigning, lobbying and advocacy work.

8

FINAL-Mayors-2013.indd 8 6/17/13 10:10 AM COVENANT COVENANT NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS COMPANIES & CITIZENS COORDINATORS SUPPORTERS & ENABLERS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Identifying the strongest CO2 killers

The Covenant Supporter Kommunesektorens (KS) - the Norwegian association of local and regional authorities - has developed a fi rst-of-its-

kind tool to calculate the impact of individual CO2 reduction measures planned at local level. What SEAP measures will yield the greatest greenhouse gas emission reductions? Buying electric cars? Lowering bus fares? What would be the impact of a congestion charge or methane collection system? KS’ new tool, called KVIKKT, provides concrete answers to these kinds of questions. The calculations –

reported in CO2 equivalents - are performed on the basis of documentation modules and checklists. By the end of 1 the fi rst trials, a total of 127 local climate measures were quantifi ed in 35 municipalities, leading to the conclusion that these measures alone would yield an annual reduction

of 240,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalents by 2020.

2

9

FINAL-Mayors-2013.indd 9 6/17/13 10:10 AM COVENANT COVENANT NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS COMPANIES & CITIZENS COORDINATORS SUPPORTERS & ENABLERS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

To support the successful implementation of SEAPs at NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS national level, it is worth mentioning that the Covenant of AND ENABLERS Mayors Offi ce cooperates with the European Commission to coordinate the European Energy Performance (EPC) Contracting Campaign initiated in 2013 and seeking to enable country-specifi c discussions to showcase the At the moment we are on a very historical point benefi ts of EPC to member states and local authorities, because the EU, the national side and the local especially in the context of budget cuts and austerity authorities are working closer and closer together. measures.

The Covenant of Mayors is more predominant in some Eckart Würzner, countries than others, as its effective implementation often Mayor of the city of Heidelberg depends on national specifi cities and enablers, such as the regulatory and legislative framework governing sustainable energy issues, or the allocation of European and national funds and the level of autonomy of local authorities. 3

In parallel to the work of the Covenant of Mayors Offi ce – but outside of its direct framework - the concept of “Covenant of Mayors Clubs” has emerged, giving rise to genuine networking platforms creating new avenues for signatories to express needs and share ideas at national level. A dozen such Covenant of Mayors Clubs already exist, with the aim of encouraging best-practice exchange and capacity-

10

FINAL-Mayors-2013.indd 10 6/17/13 10:10 AM COVENANT COVENANT NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS COMPANIES & CITIZENS COORDINATORS SUPPORTERS & ENABLERS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

4

building activities in countries like Italy, Bulgaria, Poland, Germany, France, Slovakia, Belgium and many more. Apart from knowledge-sharing and peer-to-peer learning, these platforms also serve as interfaces to voice local authorities’ demands vis-à-vis national and EU authorities.

Landmark projects supporting the Covenant of Mayors

The activities of the Covenant of Mayors of local leaders and municipal staff through training Clubs have been supported through the “NET- activities, study tours and visits; Energy for Mayors, COM” project, for “NETworking the COvenant thanks to which some 180 municipalities joined the of Mayors”, fi nanced by the Intelligent Energy- Europe Covenant and 8 pilot Energy Management Systems (EMS) programme. The list of such IEE-funded projects were implemented; ENGAGE, helping Covenant cities to accelerating the Covenant of Mayors implementation is encourage their residents in contributing to the energy getting longer by the day. Project partners often gather transition, and Come2CoM, which produced a wide array Covenant coordinating regions and provinces, supporting of communication materials, reaching out to over 7,000 associations and signatory cities. cities to raise awareness of the Covenant of Mayors initiative. Examples of such landmark projects include ENNEREG, in the framework of which some 11 action plans were Visit the IEE website for a complete list at: developed in the participating regions; Covenant http://ec.europa.eu/energy/intelligent/in-action/projects-stories/ CapaCITY and City SEC which focus on capacity-building

11

FINAL-Mayors-2013.indd 11 6/17/13 10:10 AM COVENANT COVENANT NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS COMPANIES & CITIZENS COORDINATORS SUPPORTERS & ENABLERS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

5 Cooperating… across partners and sectors!

In a bid to reduce energy-related spending, improve energy diversifi cation and increase use in the hotel industry and building sector, the Province of Alicante has signed an agreement with the Provincial Association of Alicante Hotels and the Territorial College of Alicante Architects. Training courses for employees are foreseen in this framework, along with outreach and awareness-raising campaigns towards tourists. The College of Architects is in addition represented in the advisory board of the Alicante Provincial Energy Agency.

6

12

FINAL-Mayors-2013.indd 12 6/17/13 10:10 AM COVENANT COVENANT NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS COMPANIES & CITIZENS COORDINATORS SUPPORTERS & ENABLERS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

As the sphere of government closest to citizens, local CITIZENS authorities are well placed to encourage residents to take action on energy and climate issues. Through the Covenant of Mayors, they do so on a regular basis by providing advice and tips for energy refurbishments, involving citizens In Bielsko-Biała, the ENGAGE campaign builds in the planning phase of SEAPs and in the organisation of a sense of responsibility and encourages citizen awareness-raising events and energy days. involvement in various activities. The very inspirational and colourful campaign posters even feature famous The organisation of energy days is one of the Covenant people who do not hesitate to publicly commit to of Mayors key pillars, and an offi cial commitment taken environmental behaviours. In conjunction with this by signatories when joining the initiative. These energy campaign, the Beskid Festival of Good Energy is a great days have provided opportunities to test innovative ways opportunity to gather local communities around the idea of involving citizens which signatories can share with each of energy conservation. other through the various Covenant of Mayors participation and dissemination platforms, such as the Extranet portal and Aneta Gut-Sulima, its discussion forum, the webinars and various networking Teacher of physics in the Covenant events. signatory city of Bielsko-Biała In the framework of the Covenant of Mayors, new cooperation models are emerging with the active cooperation of citizens, paving the way for innovative local solutions, defying budget constraints and showing a high replication potential.

13

FINAL-Mayors-2013.indd 13 6/17/13 10:10 AM COVENANT COVENANT NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS COMPANIES & CITIZENS COORDINATORS SUPPORTERS & ENABLERS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

When farmers turn into energy providers Solar dividends for citizens

In Beckerich the municipality buys the heat In Chambery Métropole, a new fi nancing produced by a cooperative of farmers who treats scheme encourages citizens to participate in a manure to produce energy, providing electricity collective manner, according to their capacities and hot water to some 700 households. and resources, to local and decentralized production of electricity, by investing individually in solar panels, In Samsø , an Energy and Environment Offi ce tasked with lending their roofs or contributing to the “Solaire Citoyen” promoting sustainable energy assists citizens who want project. The money invested is then “repaid” to citizens to start their own renewable energy projects. In addition, from the sale of electricity. local farmers and other private investors own 9 of the island’s 11 onshore wind turbines.

More information on citizens’ cooperatives can be found on the REScoop website, an Associated Partner of the Covenant of Mayors.

14

FINAL-Mayors-2013.indd 14 6/17/13 10:10 AM COVENANT COVENANT NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS COMPANIES & CITIZENS COORDINATORS SUPPORTERS & ENABLERS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

The economic crisis has forced local authorities to start thinking COMPANIES « out of the box » and there is no shortage of examples of AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Covenant signatory cities having found creative ways to fi nance the actions foreseen in their plans. Innovative combinations of different funding instruments, as well as public and private funds, is a crucial condition for success. We, the European Association of Energy Services Companies, consider the Covenant of Mayors as a very Aware of this necessity, the European Commission and positive initiative to help European cities in reducing their Covenant of Mayors Offi ce have involved a new category carbon footprint and in increasing their energy effi ciency. of stakeholders within the Covenant community dubbed For that reason, we are very pleased to contribute by « Associated Partners ». Federations of companies and sharing information and knowledge concerning the banks are among the structures eligible to take on this role and share their expertise with Covenant Signatories. best available tools and solutions, such as Energy Performance Contracting. The Covenant of Mayors also serves as a testbed for the roll- out of ICT and smart technology . Members of Stéphane Le Gentil, the Covenant of Mayors Offi ce and several of the initiative’s Chairman of the European Association of Energy signatory cities have thus been invited to contribute to Services Companies, eu.ESCO, Covenant of the Smart Cities Stakeholder Platform, which includes Mayors Associated Partner representatives of both the private and public sectors. Likewise, the Covenant of Mayors initiative always strives to establish close links and synergies with other related initiatives such as CONCERTO Premium, CIVITAS and the Green Digital Charter.

15

FINAL-Mayors-2013.indd 15 6/17/13 10:10 AM COVENANT COVENANT NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS COMPANIES & CITIZENS COORDINATORS SUPPORTERS & ENABLERS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

ELENA and her sister funding schemes

Not only has the Covenant of Mayors Other similar technical assistance schemes have later fostered the emergence of new governance and emerged with the involvement of several financial cooperation approaches, it has also enabled the institutions at EU and national levels such as ELENA- development of innovative EU financing methods and KfW and ELENA-CEB, the latter of which is financed by instruments, including the famous ELENA-EIB technical the Council of Europe Development Bank and supports assistance facility, which helps local authorities to finance the development of sustainable energy investment the development of bankable investment programmes programmes for disadvantaged regions or populations. underpinning their SEAP actions. In the context of the Intelligent Energy-Europe programme, the MLEI scheme (for « Mobilising Local Energy Investments ») has also been launched to support the development of smaller-scale investment projects.

7

16

FINAL-Mayors-2013.indd 16 6/17/13 10:10 AM COVENANT COVENANT NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS COMPANIES & CITIZENS COORDINATORS SUPPORTERS & ENABLERS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Together, stronger

Stockholm has a long tradition of close cooperation with the private sector for the development of its infrastructures and services to residents. Through the involvement of the energy company Fortum, the city plans to deliver climate neutral district heating by 2030. Other noteworthy examples include: private entrepreneurs using biogas trucks for collection of household waste, and the recently-initiated co-operation between the city and private real estate owner organisations to reduce energy use in private buildings.

8 9

17

FINAL-Mayors-2013.indd 17 6/17/13 10:10 AM The Covenant of Mayors is an ever-improving initiative, constantly adapting its methods and processes based on the feedback provided by its growing community. To reach out to a large base of stakeholders and adapt to their evolving needs, the Covenant of Mayors Offi ce has developed new processes and tools:

EXPERTS PRESENTATIONS ONLINE JOINT PLANS FOR SMALLER MUNICIPALITIES

WHAT? WHAT? The Covenant of Mayors Offi ce regularly organises webinars Opportunity to join as a group of signatories and submit a on dedicated topics, including policy and/or technical common sustainable energy action plan, either committing

presentations, concrete demonstrations and Q&A sessions individually or collectively to the 20% CO2 reduction target WHO? WHO? Members of the Covenant community wishing to give or listen Neighbouring, small-sized local authorities wishing to develop to a presentation common actions MORE INFO? MORE INFO? Advertised in the agenda section of the Covenant website with FAQ section of the Covenant website more info on the Extranet

COUNTRY-SPECIFIC GUIDANCE E-LEARNING COURSE

WHAT? WHAT? Country Close-Ups are insightful factsheets on the Covenant of E-learning course developed by the Covenant of Mayors Offi ce Mayors and the sustainable energy context in a given country guiding public authorities through each step of the Covenant of Mayors sustainable energy planning process WHO? Public authorities, private entities, associations, NGOs and WHO? citizens wishing to know more about the Covenant of Mayors in Covenant Signatories, regions, provinces, national energy a particular country agencies and other such bodies involved as Covenant Coordinators MORE INFO? Information available upon email request to [email protected] MORE INFO? Available from the Extranet / My Covenant section

18

FINAL-Mayors-2013.indd 18 6/17/13 10:10 AM The Covenant of Mayors Office is supported by the Intelligent Energy- Europe Programme. It is managed by a consortium of local and regional authorities networks, led by Energy Cities, composed of Climate Alliance, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions, EUROCITIES and FEDARENE.

Co-funded by the Intelligent Energy Europe Programme of the

The information and views set out in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the European Union. Neither the European Union institutions and bodies nor any person acting on their behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein. Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.

Photo Credits © www.shutterstock.com 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 - © Hükan Samuelsson 3 © Energy Cities 4 - Cover illustration © Altitude

Published in June 2013 19

FINAL-Mayors-2013.indd 19 6/17/13 10:10 AM Covenant of Mayors Office

1 Square de Meeûs 1000- Belgium

[email protected] www.eumayors.eu

FINAL-Mayors-2013.indd 20 6/17/13 10:10 AM