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How to make a Covenant of Mayors a success? Climate Alliance @EUSEW 2012 |
 26.06.2012 - For the 7th edition of the European Sustainable Energy Week, Climate Alliance organized a joint event with other local government networks on “Innovative and practical approaches on how to make the Covenant of Mayors a success” during the afternoon of 21 June. Against a backdrop of RIO+20, this event showcased real, live action on the ground at the city level, to combat climate change and move towards a sustainable urban economy. Centered on the three pillars of good governance, adequate financing and public engagement, it examined the state-of-play on each and offered suggestions for improvements to render the Covenant of Mayors more effective still in delivering local sustainable energy action plans (SEAPs) and seeing them implemented. During the first session: “Multi-level governance and the role of Covenant Coordinators and Supporters”, the five presentations outlined five different projects that offer support to Covenant signatories in their efforts to cut CO2 emissions by at least 20% by 2020. With more than 4,000 signatories, some 1,500 action plans in and the first implementation reports due next year, financing is big on the agenda. Roman Doubrava, from the European Commission, highlighted that: “There used to be little EU money available - and even less invested - in local climate/sustainable energy action. But today there is a whole range of financing vehicles available to cover projects both large and small (and bundled); and with different stages of maturity. ELENA-EIB with funding of €28 million has leveraged some €1.5 billion for investment”. The Commission strives to be a “trigger for the market”, while capacity-building is key for the uptake and application of available funds. Three representatives from a national association of cities (Romania), region (Zealand, Denmark) and city (Ghent, Belgium), subsequently gave their own experiences of financing challenges and solutions related sustainable energy planning. The newly launched Working group on Financing of Climate Alliance was also introduced. And the role of Sustainable Energy Action Plan as a ‘passport’ for easier access for financing was advocated. Sustainable Energy Action Plan could serve as a quality standard for receiving EU funding, as the SEAP is evaluated by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, and it ensures that the local authority has a strategy with defined target and a set of actions reach the target. Finally, even if the SEAPs are fully developed and financed, the action plans still need the support of citizens to become a reality. The ENGAGE campaign, a communication initiative that gets municipalities using photo shoots to put people into posters advertising sustainable energy use, highlighted the importance of mobilising stakeholders, citizens and public servants to contribute to Covenant objectives. Further information:
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