Newest signatories
-
16/09/2010
- La Algaba -
11/03/2010
- Alcalalí -
26/02/2010
- Brembate di Sopra
CoM Newsletter
FAQs
This set of FAQs aims to provide answers to the questions asked most often about the Covenant of Mayors. Please check the rest of the Covenant of Mayors website to find additional information about the topics covered here and much more.
-
Covenant of Mayors
-
Adhesion procedure
-
Covenant of Mayors Office
-
Baseline Emission Inventory
- What is a Baseline Emission Inventory?
- Is it possible to use existing tools for calculating the CO2 emissions?
- Which is the baseline year for calculating the CO2 emissions?
- What is the scope of the Baseline Emission Inventory?
- Which approach may be chosen when establishing the Baseline Emission Inventory?
- Which CO2 emission factors should be used?
-
Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP)
-
Implementation report
-
Local Energy Days
-
Financial facilities
-
Supporting structures
-
Local and Regional Energy Agencies (LAREAs)
Covenant of Mayors
What is the Covenant of Mayors?
The Covenant of Mayors is the first and most ambitious European Commission initiative targeting directly the local authorities and their citizens to take the lead in the fight against the global warming.
All Covenant of Mayors signatories make a voluntary and unilateral commitment to go beyond EU objectives in terms of reduction in CO2 emissions.
All Covenant of Mayors signatories make a voluntary and unilateral commitment to go beyond EU objectives in terms of reduction in CO2 emissions.
What commitments do the Covenant signatories have to fulfil?
Covenant signatories aim to reduce their CO2 emissions by more than 20% by 2020 through energy efficiency and renewable energy actions. To reach this objective, local authorities commit to:
Prepare a Baseline Emission Inventory,
Submit a Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP), approved by the municipal council within the year following their official adhesion to the Covenant of Mayors initiative, and outlining the measures and policies they will implement to achieve their targets;
Publish regularly - every 2 years after submission of their SEAP - implementation reports stating the degree of implementation of the programme and the interim results;
Promote their activities and involve their citizens / stakeholders, including the organisation of Local Energy Days;
Spread the message of the Covenant of Mayors, in particular by encouraging other local authorities to join and by contributing to the major events (i.e. annual Covenant of Mayors ceremonies and thematic workshops).
Signatories accept termination of their membership in the Covenant of Mayors in case of non-submission in time of the different technical documents (SEAP and implementation reports).
What do the Covenant signatories get in return?
The European Commission has committed to supporting local authorites involved in the Covenant of Mayors and providing public visibility for them.
Firstly, the Commission has implemented and funded the Covenant of Mayors Office (COMO), which assists Covenant signatories with any questions via the Helpdesk and promotes their local actions via the Media desk. The COMO also co-ordinates the work with third parties and negotiates the support of relevant stakeholders.
The Joint Research Centre of the European Commission works in close co-operation with the COMO to provide clear technical guidelines and templates in order to assist delivery on the Covenant of Mayors commitments as well as to monitor implementation and results.
Finally, the European Commission has committed to mobilizing financial facilities and political support at EU level.
Firstly, the Commission has implemented and funded the Covenant of Mayors Office (COMO), which assists Covenant signatories with any questions via the Helpdesk and promotes their local actions via the Media desk. The COMO also co-ordinates the work with third parties and negotiates the support of relevant stakeholders.
The Joint Research Centre of the European Commission works in close co-operation with the COMO to provide clear technical guidelines and templates in order to assist delivery on the Covenant of Mayors commitments as well as to monitor implementation and results.
Finally, the European Commission has committed to mobilizing financial facilities and political support at EU level.
Adhesion procedure
Who can join?
The Covenant of Mayors is open to all local authorities democratically constituted with/by elected representatives, whatever their size and whatever the stage of implementation of their energy/climate policies.
As the initiative requires the design and implementation of a comprehensive Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP), the signatory governing bodies should have adequate competences in various fields, such as transport, buildings, land use planning etc. If an interested local authority lacks competences or resources to prepare its action plan, it should be supported by administrations with such capacities, i.e. Supporting Structures or local and regional energy agencies.
As the initiative requires the design and implementation of a comprehensive Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP), the signatory governing bodies should have adequate competences in various fields, such as transport, buildings, land use planning etc. If an interested local authority lacks competences or resources to prepare its action plan, it should be supported by administrations with such capacities, i.e. Supporting Structures or local and regional energy agencies.
How to join?
Local authorities willing to sign up to the Covenant of Mayors must present and
discuss it in their City Council (or equivalent decision-making body
democratically constituted with/by elected representatives). Once a
decision to sign up is formally made, local authorities must inform the European
Commission by sending a message to the Covenant of Mayors Office mailbox with enclosed the adhesion form duly completed and signed. Local authority will be then included into the public list of Covenant signatories.
Note: The Covenant of Mayors is a voluntary commitment. Hence the adhesion is fully free of charge.
Note: The Covenant of Mayors is a voluntary commitment. Hence the adhesion is fully free of charge.
When to join?
Local authorities can sign the Covenant of Mayors at any time, there is no deadline! Covenant of Mayors Ceremonies take place annually with all the Mayors providing an opportunity for visibility and a public signature.
Note: the reference adhesion date is the date of decision by the city council (or equivalent decision-making body).
Note: the reference adhesion date is the date of decision by the city council (or equivalent decision-making body).
Covenant of Mayors Office
What is the Covenant of Mayors Office (COMO)?
The European Commission has implemented and funded the Covenant of Mayors Office (COMO) in order to assist all local authorities involved in the Covenant of Mayors. The COMO is managed by a consortium of European networks representing local and regional authorities, led by Energie-Cités and composed of CEMR, CLIMATE ALLIANCE, EUROCITIES, Fedarene and Pracsis.
What you can expect from the COMO?
The Covenant of Mayors Office operates as the primary interface for all local governments towards the Covenant of Mayors. It aims to:
assist all local authorities interested to join the initiative through the adhesion process;
help signatories with general or technical inquiries related to the Covenant of Mayors and its commitments, appointing to each signatory a personalized contact;
support the implementation of your communication and promotional activies;
facilitate and coordinate liaisons with third parties and relevant stakeholders (i.e. Supporting Structures, Benchmarks of Excellence, Local and Regional Energy Agencies).
Baseline Emission Inventory
What is a Baseline Emission Inventory?
The Baseline Emission Inventory quantifies the amount of CO2 emitted due to energy consumption in the territory of the Covenant signatory. It allows to identify the principal sources of CO2 emissions and their respective reduction potentials.
Is it possible to use existing tools for calculating the CO2 emissions?
All Covenant signatories can choose their own tools for the calculation. However, they need to make sure that the reported inventory is in line with the general principles after-specified and detailed in both the SEAP template instructions & the guidelines available in our library.
Which is the baseline year for calculating the CO2 emissions?
The recommended base year of the inventory is 1990. If the local authority does not have data to compile an inventory for 1990, then it should choose a latest year for which it can get the most comprehensive and reliable data.
What is the scope of the Baseline Emission Inventory?
The Baseline Emission Inventory should essentially be based on the final energy consumption data, i.e. what is consumed by the final end-users (incl. electricity, heat/cold and fuel) within the boundaries of the local authority.
Local energy production can also be included in the inventory if the Sustainable Energy Action Plan introduces actions related to it (e.g. development of PVs, wind power, district heating or Combined Heat and Power). The guidelines -currently under preparation- will provide more information on this option.
Local energy production can also be included in the inventory if the Sustainable Energy Action Plan introduces actions related to it (e.g. development of PVs, wind power, district heating or Combined Heat and Power). The guidelines -currently under preparation- will provide more information on this option.
Which approach may be chosen when establishing the Baseline Emission Inventory?
Two different approaches may be chosen when establishing the Baseline Emission Inventory at local level, namely:
- The territorial or IPCC approach, covering all the CO2 emissions occurring due to final energy consumption in the territory of the local authority.
- The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach, considering the overall life cycle of the fuels/electricity. This hence includes all emissions of the energy chain that also take place outside the territory (such as transport losses, refinery emissions or energy conversion losses).
Which CO2 emission factors should be used?
The CO2 emissions have to be calculated for each energy source by multiplying the energy consumption by the corresponding emission factors. There are a variety of emission factors, depending on the energy sources and the selected approach:
For information on both methodologies and their respective emission factors, please refer to the technical annex to the SEAP template instructions document or the SEAP guidelines.
- For the “territorial approach”: The IPCC provides default emission factors, available from the 2006 IPCC Guidelines (Volume 2, Chapter 2, Table 2.2. - go page 16). These default emission factors could be replaced by country specific emission factors which take account of country specific data. The Covenant signatories can also develop own emission factors based on the detailed properties of the fuels used in their territory.
- For the “LCA approach”: the emissions factors are available from different sources or tools, such as the ELCD database, Ecoinvent-CH, GEMIS Software etc.
For information on both methodologies and their respective emission factors, please refer to the technical annex to the SEAP template instructions document or the SEAP guidelines.
Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP)
What is a SEAP?
A Sustainable Energy Action Plan is the key document that shows how the Covenant signatory will reach its CO2 reduction target by 2020. It defines the activities and measures set up to achieve the targets, together with time frames and assigned responsibilities.
Covenant signatories can choose the format of their Sustainable Energy Action Plan (especially if they have already done an action plan in the past). However, they need to make sure that their action plan is in line with the general principles after-specified and detailed in both the SEAP template instructions & the SEAP guidelines available in our library.
Covenant signatories can choose the format of their Sustainable Energy Action Plan (especially if they have already done an action plan in the past). However, they need to make sure that their action plan is in line with the general principles after-specified and detailed in both the SEAP template instructions & the SEAP guidelines available in our library.
What is the scope of the SEAP?
The Covenant of Mayors concerns the action at local level within the competence of the local authorities involved. Hence, it is expected that the Covenant signatories will take action in several or all their possible roles:
Consumer and model: All local authorities are responsible for their own energy consumption. At the same time they play an exemplary role by encouraging the citizens and other stakeholders to use energy more efficiently.
Planner, developer and regulator: All local authorities are usually responsible for building, transport and land use planning policies. They have the power to optimize the energy performance of new facilities and to integrate traffic prevention strategies in development planning. They shape traffic/energy performance by legal decisions and regulatory instruments.
Producer and supplier: Local authorities may also act as a local utility or service provider – promoting local energy production and using renewable energy sources (e.g. Combined Heat and Power/CHPs, district heating systems etc.).
Advisor and motivator: Awareness-raising activities are important to engage the whole community to support sustainable energy policies. Local authorities can act as advisor and educator for citizens and other stakeholders (e.g. architects, planners or craftsmen).
Which sectors/fields of action are considered in the SEAP?
Since the Covenant's commitments concern the whole geographical area of the local authority, the SEAP should include actions concerning both the public and private sectors.
Covenant signatories are free to choose their key areas of action. In principle, it is anticipated that most SEAPs will cover the sectors that are taken into account within the inventory:
It should also be based on those areas where the local authority has a specific role to play, such as:
Covenant signatories are free to choose their key areas of action. In principle, it is anticipated that most SEAPs will cover the sectors that are taken into account within the inventory:
- buildings (including new buildings and major refurbishment),
- municipal infrastructure (incl. district heating and public lighting),
- urban transport and mobility,
- industry and enterprises.
It should also be based on those areas where the local authority has a specific role to play, such as:
- Land use planning (Local Authority as planner),
- Public procurement of energy efficient products and services (LA as consumer and model),
- Working with the citizens and stakeholders (LA as advisor and motivator).
When to submit the SEAP?
Within one year after the signature of the Covenant of Mayors, the signatory cities shall submit their Sustainable Energy Action Plan where the Covenant objectives and measures to reach them will be justified. The SEAP has to be formally approved by the City Council (or equivalent decision-making body).
How to submit the SEAP?
Covenant of Mayors signatories are invited to upload their full Sustainable Energy Action Plan in their own national language (PDF format) via the restricted area. They are required at the same time to fill in an electronic template with basic information in English. This template allows Covenant signatories to summarize the key results of their Baseline Emission Inventory and the key elements of their SEAP (incl. the key areas of action, the CO2 emission targets foreseen, the timetable for implementation, the attribution of staff and financial capacities etc). It works as an internet based tool that the Covenant signatories can fill in by themselves. Highlights of the collected information will be shown on-line at the Covenant of Mayors website.
All Covenant signatories can access the online SEAP template via the Signatories’ Corner (restricted area) at: http://members.eumayors.eu/ (login/password are directly sent to each Covenant signatory).
A public copy of the SEAP template (PDF & Excel format), accompanied by a document with clear instructions on how to use it (PDF), is available in the CoM website library.
All Covenant signatories can access the online SEAP template via the Signatories’ Corner (restricted area) at: http://members.eumayors.eu/ (login/password are directly sent to each Covenant signatory).
A public copy of the SEAP template (PDF & Excel format), accompanied by a document with clear instructions on how to use it (PDF), is available in the CoM website library.
Implementation report
What is an implementation report?
Two years after having submitted a Sustainable Energy Action Plan, the Covenant signatories have to report on its implementation. This report aims to check the compliance of the interim results with the foreseen objectives. The procedure will be facilitated by an online monitoring template, closely linked to the SEAP template. It will show at a glance the results achieved, both in terms of measures implemented and reduction achieved in CO2 emissions.
Local Energy Days
What is a Local energy day?
An Energy Day is a local event that aims to raise public awareness
of issues such as energy efficiency, use of renewable energy sources
and the links between energy and climate change. Usually organised
for a specified period, the types of events may vary, but normally
include activities such as workshops, exhibitions, guided visits and
open door days.
Why to organise Local energy days?
As the 20% reduction of CO2 emissions is a target concerning the whole territory, not only municipal buildings and vehicles but also private housing, tertiary sector and transport, it is crucial to involve local stakeholders and citizens to the preparation and implementation of the Sustainable Energy Action Plan.
Each Covenant signatory can increase the level of their involvement through efficient communication and awareness raising activities focused on their energy and climate objectives.
Each Covenant signatory can increase the level of their involvement through efficient communication and awareness raising activities focused on their energy and climate objectives.
How to get support?
The Covenant signatories will get a full support from the European Sustainable Energy Campaign which has collected a vast number of good examples in the field of the local energy day organisation and communication.
All Covenant cities interested to get a support for the organization of Energy Days and a European visibility for their event are welcome to contact the Energy Days desk at: energydays@sustenergy.org.
All Covenant cities interested to get a support for the organization of Energy Days and a European visibility for their event are welcome to contact the Energy Days desk at: energydays@sustenergy.org.
Financial facilities
Which financial facilities to use?
The European Commission is currently under negotiation with financial actors. A financial framework is being set in place that will provide Covenant cities with the crucial support they need to achieve the targets set-out in their Sustainable Energy Action Plans.
Commission funding worth €15 million will be provided to the Covenant cities through the European Investment Bank (EIB) Technical Assistance Facility. This facility is funded by the Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) programme and will provide financial support for the development of municipal investment projects or programmes consistent with the Sustainable Energy Action Plans which contribute to the overall EU energy targets.
Further information about potential financing will be available on the website very soon.
Commission funding worth €15 million will be provided to the Covenant cities through the European Investment Bank (EIB) Technical Assistance Facility. This facility is funded by the Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) programme and will provide financial support for the development of municipal investment projects or programmes consistent with the Sustainable Energy Action Plans which contribute to the overall EU energy targets.
Further information about potential financing will be available on the website very soon.
Supporting structures
What is a Supporting Structure?
The Supporting Structures are defined as those entities that are in a position to provide strategic guidance, technical and/or financial support to municipalities with the political will to sign up to the Covenant of Mayors, but lacking the skills and /or resources to fulfil its requirements, namely the preparation and implementation of Sustainable Energy Action Plan.
The European Commission recognises 2 types of Supporting Structures in the framework of the Covenant of Mayors: the public administrations (national and regional public bodies, counties, provinces, agglomerations, NUTS III areas, mentor cities etc.) and the networks of local and regional authorities.
The European Commission recognises 2 types of Supporting Structures in the framework of the Covenant of Mayors: the public administrations (national and regional public bodies, counties, provinces, agglomerations, NUTS III areas, mentor cities etc.) and the networks of local and regional authorities.
What you can expect from the Supporting Structures?
Supporting Structures have a vocation to keep a close contact with the European Commission to ensure the best possible implementation of the Covenant. They are recognised by the Commission as key allies to convey the message and increase the impact of the Covenant.
Typical tasks to be undertaken by a Supporting Structure include:
Typical tasks to be undertaken by a Supporting Structure include:
- for the first category of Supporting Structure (public administrations)
- Promoting accession to the Covenant of Mayors among municipalities in their area and providing support and coordination to those municipalities signing up;
- Providing technical and strategic assistance to those municipalities willing to join the Covenant but lacking the necessary resources to prepare a sustainable energy action plan;
- Providing financial support or opportunities to the municipalities for expenditure related to SEAP preparation;
- Supporting implementation of SEAPs and organisation of local energy days to raise awareness; and
- Reporting regularly to the Commission on the results obtained and participating in the strategic implementation of the Covenant.
- for the second category (networks of local and regional authorities)
- Promoting accession to the Covenant of Mayors among their members,
- Liaising with their members and facilitating exchange of experience,
- Defending common interest in the adequate fora,
- Follow-up the implementation of the Covenant of Mayors by its members,
- Reporting regularly to the Commission on the results obtained and participating in the strategic implementation of the Covenant.
How to become a Supporting Structure?
Any public administration or network of local and regional authorities that is interested in getting involved in the Covenant, may contact the Covenant of Mayors Office.
Local and Regional Energy Agencies (LAREAs)
Why should the LAREAs be involved in the Covenant of Mayors?
Achieving the requirements and objectives of the Covenant of Mayors
does not only require political commitment, but also technical
capacities. Local and regional energy agencies have been active in
these fields for decades and their knowledge and expertise in local energy policy could
be very useful for the Covenant signatories. Hence the Covenant of
Mayors is a good opportunity for Energy Agencies to have their
role better recognised and to gain more visibility to their actions.
What are the potential roles and tasks of the LAREAs?
Local and regional energy agencies are recognised as operational organisations that should play a double role deriving from their missions: first, as promoters of the Covenant of Mayors towards the cities and towns in their areas, and second, as providers of technical expertise for the Covenant signatories, especially those lacking the necessary financial and/or human resources to fulfil their commitments under the Covenant.
Hence, LAREAs are encouraged to enter (re)new(ed) cooperation agreements directly with the public authority(ies) of their territory to support them in achieving the requirements and objectives of the Covenant of Mayors. LAREAs could also work in close co-operation with the Supporting Structures, acting as their armed wing to deliver technical support to Covenant signatories.
Hence, LAREAs are encouraged to enter (re)new(ed) cooperation agreements directly with the public authority(ies) of their territory to support them in achieving the requirements and objectives of the Covenant of Mayors. LAREAs could also work in close co-operation with the Supporting Structures, acting as their armed wing to deliver technical support to Covenant signatories.
How to be involved in the Covenant of Mayors process?
At local/regional levels, energy agencies should contact the public authorities within their territories in order to promote the Covenant of Mayors initiative among non-signatories and assist signatories in the preparation and implementation of their baseline emission inventory and Sustainable Energy Action Plan.
To identify which public authorities have already signed up, please refer to the list of signatories.
For more information, contact the LAREAs helpline (info.LAREA@eumayors.eu - +32 2 646 7316).
At the European level, energy agencies active with Covenant of Mayors signatories are encouraged to communicate regularly with the Covenant of Mayors Office. In return, the COMO will support these energy agencies by promoting their most successful initiative and best practices, through workshops, best practices sheets, etc.
To identify which public authorities have already signed up, please refer to the list of signatories.
For more information, contact the LAREAs helpline (info.LAREA@eumayors.eu - +32 2 646 7316).
At the European level, energy agencies active with Covenant of Mayors signatories are encouraged to communicate regularly with the Covenant of Mayors Office. In return, the COMO will support these energy agencies by promoting their most successful initiative and best practices, through workshops, best practices sheets, etc.