Report of activities - 2018 - From 2017 to 2020, Energy Cities is under the Presiden- cy of the City of Heidelberg (DE) with a Board of Directors 3Ds f or from 11 European cities.The association, created in 1990, represents more than 1,000 towns and cities in 30 coun- a new tries. Energy Cities’ premises are located in (BE) and Besançon (FR). society

Energy Cities’ political vision of the energy future comes in a 3D shape: democratic, devolved and divested. To im- plement the necessary policy solutions, it takes delibe- rate action from policy-makers at all levels of government as well as determination and creativity from civil society. Here are the three components that are THAT IS WHAT ENERGY CITIES IS WORKING FOR! at the core of our transition agenda.

Main objectives ― To strengthen cities role Y and skills in the field of sus- EMOCRAC tainable energy. D power Reclaim ― To represent cities inte- rests and influence the poli- Energy Cities cies and proposals made by is the European European Union institutions in EST the fields of energy, environ- DIV y e mone Association mental protection and urban Move th of local policy. au t h o r i t i e s ― To develop and promote cities initiatives through ex- i n e n e r gy change of experiences, the LUTION EVO t transfer of know-how and D cal firs transition. Think lo the implementation of joint projects.

2 3 FOREWORD Energy Cities’

Mayors’ boldness is a highlight of 2018, whether at the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco, or at the Covenant of demands Mayors ceremony, in official reports and mainstream me- dia: the acknowledgment of local actions for the transition has never been so prominent. However, it mirrors a rising emergency for radically changing our trajectories, as said in the IPCC report or the “Emissions gap report” of the UN Environment Programme to the next . In our internal discussions, Energy Cities’ members have made it clear that the transformation of our urban fabrics and of our consumption patterns has started, but still needs to accelerate. Our “Claiming a crisis” proposals call for mainstreaming the dras- EU leaders tic reduction of our energy and resource needs, as well as the fostering of prosperous, resilient local economies, into the EU policies for the next decade. It is of utmost urgency, as we are witnessing an uprising of citizens across Europe, fuelled by social Claiming a crisis injustices and fear of migration. How a shared energy transition Although the adoption of the “Clean energy for all” legislative pac- kage has brought a more positive framework for a decentralised can transform Europe’s energy and democratised energy system, EU and national leaders have landscape and also tackle still not shown us any adequate answer to the change needed. the root causes of strife Nice words and promises of putting the “citizen at the centre of the energy system” still have to be translated into concrete in Europe today budgetary and fiscal shifts. In a manifesto, written on behalf of our thousands of Dear leaders: Be bold! member cities across Europe, we’ve laid out a series of ‘quick wins’ and disruptive policy changes the next EU leaders could implement to jumpstart a truly shared energy transition. The manifesto calls on EU leaders to challenge Brussels’ business as usual by supporting a bottom-up energy system Prof. Dr. Eckart Würzner Claire Roumet powered by citizens, engaging with communities, linking urban Mayor of Heidelberg Director of Energy Cities and rural areas and constructing the sustainable infrastructure President of Energy Cities we need for a prosperous, sustainable Europe.

4 5 SUMMARY

IND YOU CAN F HAT epor t? W in this r 08 chapter 1 • What have we achieved by influencing decision-makers? 16 • What have we tested, where is the latest exciting ? • Where can you find tools and inspiration? Framing chapter 2 • How we do things: holacracy, who we are. the policies 20 • Internal life of the organisation: who are our new members, for a locally based our board members, a snapshot of our financial situation. W H AT chapter 4 energy transition • What’s next? Main milestones of the year to come WE TESTED and how you can get involved. 10 HOW WE ARE New ambition ORGANISED for the energy transition T FIND in Europe OU WILL NO T Y repor t? WHA in this 12 New actors for the energy market • Metrics of web visits, number of pages we read, retweets, 22 number of beers with decision-makers and other measurements chapter 5 of our activities, because too many figures kill the debate. 16 • All the projects we are in; all the great places we have been invited to New Means 18 present the energy transition; all great partners we are working with; for the energy transition: chapter 3 WHAT’S NEXT? we can only give you a snapshot of the main highlights. towards an EU budget • The full description of our super talented team; you can find this Main milestones in line with the on our website. of the year to come Agreement Where to find • Briefings on major policy developments and trends: these are & how you can get involved provided in our regular newsletter, which can also be found INSPIRATION on our website. 18 AND TOOLS New governance models for a shared responsibility?

6 7 WHY Cities are the heart of the energy transition. They are already driving societal change through decentralised, renewable power production and by reducing the energy needs of our society, but a genuine power shift towards WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO local communities is long overdue. It is they who will ultimately deliver a fossil fuel-free energy system. HOW Cities need to play their full role. Energy Cities works with cities to radically transform ADVOCACY legal and political frameworks, so cities are reco- gnized for what they truly are: drivers of the energy transition. We advocate and work towards a complete reform of EU legisla- tion that is currently impeding cities in meeting their ambitious targets. Cities ARE where it happens. Projects that challenge the way we produce anddistribute en- ergy, and engage both municipalities and communities are chapter 1 one of our core activities. We provide cities with IMPLEMENTATION in-depth exchange and implementation opportu- & EXCHANGE nities that allow them to lead by example. We also FRAMING create spaces for cities to connect and share experiences, THE POLICIES among themselves and with various stakeholders. Cities inspire. for a locally based Our network of committed cities and their local communities Energy transition have a lot to share. We spread stories of change to trigger INSPIRATION action across Europe. Showing what is possible through their combined stories of success, challenges and expertise can inspire others in their journey.

8 9 New ambition for the energy transition in Europe October ― Release of our publication 2050 EU Long-term “Local energy and climate roadmaps: 5 city visions for November strategy 2050”, which analyses major ― The Commission publi- trends in urban long-term shed its strategy for a cli- As a legacy for the next legislative period, the EU Commis- strategies; the study was pre- mate-neutral Europe by 2050. sion wanted to raise the ambition of the EU by proposing a bold sented at the Global Climate strategy for a climate-neutral Europe by 2050. They translated Action Summit in San Francis- the Paris Agreement into 8 possible scenarios, all requiring December co to Commissioner Miguel OUR ASSESSMENT major decisions on which pathway to take. September Arias Cañete. ― At the Global Covenant OF THE COMMISSION’S of Mayors event at COP24 in 2050 EU LONG-TERM Our Franco-German city The Covenant of Mayors ― ― Katowice, our representative STRATEGY twinning conference in Mon- Europe board met with Com- from member city Paris pre- What we have done treuil discussed city transi- missioners Miguel Arias sented our reaction to the The strategy clearly presents tion masterplans and com- Cañete and Maroš Šefčovič to Commission’s 2050 EU long- an ambitious agenda for so- February pared the energy transitions discuss the board’s proposals term strategy. cietal transformation, with ― The Board of Energy Ci- of France and Germany; our for the 2050 EU long-term a key role for cities and ci- ties met with Sami Andoura, members also met with the strategy. Energy Cities’ board tizens, but is still too much adviser of Commission Pre- German State secretary of met with the Director-General focused on technology, in- sident Juncker on the energy Climate, Jochen Flasbarth, of the EU Commission’s di- novation and electricity as transition, to discuss the role and the Chairman of ADEME, rectorate-general for climate main solutions to make the of cities in the transition. Bruno Léchevin. action, Mauro Petriccione. EU climate-neutral by 2050.

10 11 New actors for the energy market OVERALL ASSESSMENT Directive OF THE RENEWABLE ENERGY DIRECTIVE The revised Renewable Energy Directive contains a num- ber of good proposals, such as the definition of ambitious tar- The local dimension of the gets for the transport and heating & cooling sector. Thanks to future development of re- the Directive, the share of renewables in heating and cooling newable energy has a bright systems will be increased by 1.3% every year. Furthermore, a future thanks to the favou- stable legal base was defined for renewable energy communi- rable legal basis in the Di- ties, which will further support them in their development in rective. We can already wit- the energy market. ness a rise in the number of community renewable energy projects all over Europe. What we have done January February April December AlL year long ― In the framework of our ― Energy Cities’ Board met ― We contributed to the En- ― We prepared a guidebook ― National debates on re- project Renewables Networ- with the Director on renewable ergy Atlas; a large collective for cities with concrete exa- newable energy were orga- king Platform (RNP), we pu- energy in the Commission’s publication to show cities’ po- mples of how cities can sup- nised in 5 countries through blished “Green city vibes”, energy directorate-general, tential for renewable energy. port energy democracy and the RNP project: the Nether- which provides a snapshot of Mechthild Wörsdörfer, to ex- community energy projects. lands, Czechia, France, Spain cities’ needs for a bold EU re- press our support on the Com- and Poland. newables framework. mission’s proposal for the Re- newable Energy Directive.

12 13 Market design What we have done April These EU proposals are setting new rules of the game in the electricity market, thanks to the inclusion of a clear definition ― Energy cities joined the for citizen energy communities and beneficial rules adapted to Small is Beautiful campaign, the size of energy projects. steered by the solar industry but gathering all players wan- ting a real level playing field for new actors on the energy August market. ― We adopted a joint posi- ― Our publication “Block- tion on the market design file chain and energy transition: with RESCoop.eu, the Euro- what challenges for cities” pean federation of renewable explains all the potential of energy cooperatives, to pro- using blockchain technology pose concrete amendments for local authorities in the en- to the proposal of the EU ergy field. Parliament. July October ― Workshop with our Por- ― EU Parliament event held OVERALL ASSESSMENT tuguese members to learn by the Small is Beautiful cam- OF THE MARKET from French and German exa- paign to influence the vote on DESIGN FILE mples on the obligations of the Market Design File in the New actors are recognised, grid network operators and Parliament. however, it is not certain their partnership with cities ; The Board of Energy Ci- that they will be able to grow these exchanges will continue ― ties met with the president and prosper. The rules are through our MPower project. of EDSO for Smart Grids, the still tailored to big players association of European Dis- and not for the smaller tribution System Operators. ones that seek to become medium-sized. Nevertheless, considering the legal basis for collective self-consump- tion and for prosumers, it is a new positive framework.

14 15 New Means for the energy transition: towards an EU budget in line with the Paris Agreement

The EU budget for the period 2021-2027 is a good example of new policy which we started to work on before 2018, but which will not be decided upon before the end of 2019. This What we have done year, we concentrated our activities in the positioning and in holding joint events with other stakeholders. Throughout January April Autumn The future EU budget proposals of the Commission ex- Analysis of our members’ Joint letter with 20 or- Joint letter with 100 orga- cluded for the first time investment into fossil fuels in Struc- the year ― ― ― needs and the results achie- ganisations (industries, nisations to Ministers (indus- tural Funds, but the EU Parliament and Member States want to For this strand of activi- ― ved in the current budgetary city networks, NGOs, trade tries, city networks, NGOs, abolish this exclusion. On a positive note, 25% of the EU bud- ties, our leadership position in period 2014-2020, and what unions) asking for a mini- trade unions), asking for an get will now be dedicated to climate and energy action, thereby the projects INNOVATE, and in needs to change in the next mum of 35% earmarking for ambitious climate & energy channelling more funds into the local energy transition. some key investment projects period. climate-related investment in framework in the next EU such as Heatnet, Hotmaps, research & innovation in the budget. Mednice, Smarter together Publication of a joint po- ― future EU budget. and Publenef were critical in sition with CEE Bankwatch, an identifying exactly the funding NGO specialised in assessing needs of cities, and the sup- EU public spending. OVERALL ASSESSMENT port models that work and the Too early to say! Let’s see af- ones that do not work. ter the European elections in May 2019.

16 17 OVERALL ASSESSMENT OF THE ENERGY New UNION AND CLIMATE GOVERNANCE REGULATION

Member states shall pro- governance pose national energy and climate plans and are invited to discuss these within a multi-stakeholder dialogue models for platform that includes local authorities and NGOs.

The final wording of the regu- lation is not strong enough, a shared but still it is a concrete step forward, which calls on na- tional governments across Europe to open up the box of planning energy and climate responsibility? policies to local actors and What we have done the civil society. The translation of the Paris Agreement into EU le- March & April Summer gislation took place in the form of the Energy Union and Climate Governance Regulation, which was adopted in ― We published a joint let- ― Our LIFE Living streets June 2018. Most of the work we have done on this ter with all city networks and publication drew recommen- file was done years before, as we had a first contribu- organised a European Par- dations and guided municipali- tion based on concrete examples of our members two liament debate with MEPs to ties to implement the effective years in advance of the process. This really helped to push forward the legal basis participation of citizens in the illustrate the potential of opening the decision-making for a multi-level energy and use of public space. climate dialogue in every EU process to a co-chaired policy design fostered on a Our projects SHAPE, MO- Member State (Article 10a in ― shared responsibility. LOC, POTES, the Mobilisation the Regulation). club and LIFE PlanUp are all key projects inspiring and nou- rishing our proposals for new governance models at local level. Their findings are key to design inclusive and effective multi-level dialogue processes.

18 19 scale, while our project Pros- schools, so they could imple- pect pioneered peer-to-peer ment better energy and cli- learning programmes on in- mate policies and actions. novative financing schemes. Our MPower project launched Our LIFE PlanUp pro- a city-to-city conversations ject also aimed to foster and peer learning on local en- more inclusive and effective ergy ownership, while our IN- multi-level governance by NOVATE and ACE retrofitting pushing for the involvement projects aimed at developing of local authorities and civil and transferring successful society organisations into tools and financing schemes national energy and climate fostering energy renovation planning policies. of residential buildings. chapter 2 Finally, the highlight of Our second priority was our strategy was to maintain to develop the capacity of and grow a vibrant Covenant institutions and organisa- of Mayors community, heard tions at national level, such by EU leaders and expan- WHAT WE as our collective members - ding globally. This was done national associations of ci- through a strong partnership TESTED ties in energy transition – or with the European Commis- partners in order to sion and with Euro- better support cities A y e a r pean city networks, in different local to ensure that the contexts. Through p l ac e d Covenant is not only our RNP project, we u n d e r a mobilisation tool organised national t h e s i g n for municipalities debates in Spain, and a way to show the Netherlands, Po- of “P2P”. the power of local Some highlights of the year from One of our priorities programme TANDEM into a land, Czechia and actions on a global the projects and initiatives was to deepen the exchange joint Energy Transition Week France to support cities Climate scene; but that it between cities and offer them in January 2019. Moreover, and regions on their road also becomes a real political we are involved in. direct transfer of knowledge our smart city project Smar- towards 100% renewables. force, proposing concrete and training opportunities. ter Together enabled Lyon, Through our BEACON pro- actions to be taken at all go- We organised international Vienna, Munich and their ject, we promoted multi-level vernance levels. And most exchanges between U.S. and follower cities to test car- governance and facilitated importantly, that the Cove- European cities in our Energy bon-neutral technologies exchanges between national nant can become a new Eu- Allies project, and expanded and new local governance networks and governments ropean project, a story to be our Franco-German twinning models at neighbourhood as well as municipalities and shared by all citizens.

20 21 Our capacity to tell the cal stakeholders, to show to story of an energy tran- their national leaders ins- chapter 3 sition that should pirational policies that are be based on cities really helping communities and citizens, is to take part in the energy where to find important to in- transition, is one of our core fluence poli- missions. For that, all cities INSPIRATION cies and push that are part of the Energy Ci- for a positive ties community are the best & TOOLS framework for source for knowledge, and the local ener- projects are critical to ex- gy transition. For tract and analyse how cities that, we have com- are concretely implementing, pletely redesign our step by step, the transition. website. Its new structure makes it the perfect platform Finally, to help members to spread our in their daily de- members’ best Energy Cities cisions, we pro- , to vide a precise feature the ins- are setting analysis of the piring minds new trends. changing Eu- of our network O u r t o o ls ropean legisla- and connec- tive landscape, t i n g t h e m and channels give the pano- with other rich aggregate all rama of the on- content, such these local going debates, as our regular decipher final policy analysis initiatives compromise on as well as our into a strong new laws and guidebooks and and joint outligning the studies that exact dates of question and narrative. key develop- showcase new ments and deci- practices, much of it tested sions. Providing this access in the framework of EU-fun- to accurate information is ded projects. both a way to keep track and to mobilise members when Giving cities the tools specific lobbying is required to advocate, to convince lo- to get better legislation.

22 23 The Team With offices in Bruxelles, Belgium and Besançon, France, Energy Cities’ team is made up of 24 creative out-of-the-box thinkers from 11 countries who are pushing for positive changes in our member cities. Each staff member is unique and so is the way we have organised the entire team. Indeed, since 2010 we are running the Energy Cities’ Secretariat using the “ho- You are not familiar lacratic” method. with Holacracy?

chapter 4 This is a radically new mode of or- Our financial ganisation and governance based on situation collective intelligence. The power is distributed between autonomous In 2018, our annual budget but closely cooperating teams (‘cir- HOW WE ARE for our core activities reached cles’). There is not one big boss but each of us is a leader in our own around EUR 2 million, as in pre- right. Responsibilities are always ORGANISED vious years. More than 60% handled at the appropriate level of our budget comes from (subsidiarity!): “Bottom-up” is not the European Union, either only a buzz word for us. through project funding or Regular operational meetings allow WHO? through service contracts. As us to focus on next-actions, not Our Board a membership organisation, endless analysis. Governance mee- From April 2017 to April the annual fees we receive tings deal with recurring issues. 2020, Energy Cities is under from our members are very im- Major decisions are collectively de- the Presidency of the City of portant to guarantee our inde- cided by the leading team composed Heidelberg (DE) with a Board pendence and our capacity to by Circle’s leaders. of Directors fom 11 Euro- answer cities’ needs: they re- We try to apply this shared gover- pean cities: Bornova (TR), present almost 20% of our in- nance also in all our projects and County (IE), Delft (NL), come. The remaining 20% are with all our partners, because it is Heidelberg (DE), Liège (BE), constituted mainly by grants central to the way we do things. Fur- Milton Keynes (GB), Modena from national governments, thermore, we align our practice with (IT), Paris (FR), (LV), Tr- or services delivered to cities the recommendations we provide, as nava (SK) and Växjö (SE). and third parties. we always test first what we propose.

24 25

chapter 5 January FEBRUARY MARS First Meeting of Energy Cities and the 22ND-25TH 7 TH 7 TH-8TH WHAT’S Franco-German Cities Board, seminar energy agenda, by week for energy transition: presenting the handbook the Spanish “cities of NEXT? decentralised debates “Divesting our public change”, in more than 40 cities finance”, Paris Biennale of the 14TH-15 TH ― Publication of our ― ENC website release transition cities, “guidebook for cities to Grenoble Workshop on promote community energy” 28TH remunicipalisation European of the local energy supply, 22ND-24TH main Energy Ettlingen, Germany Transition Conference, Dunkerque milestones (3000 participants) MAY June October European EUSEW 2019 3rd MEDNICE Congress 13TH-17 TH ― ― Green week in Brussels at Open Days ― Launch of the Report ICCA on good practices in climate of the year 21ST-23RD (International and energy multi-level November Conference on Climate governance ― New EU Commission action) and Energy Cities takes over annual conference in July 2019 and how Heidelberg, Germany , ― Clean Air Forum releasing the Global status ― First session of the new in Bratislava, Slovakia report of local energy in European Parliament partnership with REN21

European you can get 22ND-26TH Elections

Photographs : © Nathalie Nizette | Christophe Simonato | European Union 2018 involved. Graphic design : Champ libre, www.studiochamplibre.com

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