As a Network of Local Authorities

Networks and associations of local authorities are major catalysts of the Covenant of Mayors Covenant of Mayors The Covenant of Mayors is the mainstream European movement involving local and regional authorities in the fight against climate change. It is based on a voluntary commitment by signatories to meet and exceed the EU 20% CO₂ reduction objective through increased energy efficiency and development of renewable energy sources. growth and promotion. Their extensive knowledge of the local and national contexts makes them indispensable intermediaries between the Covenant of Mayors Office Covenant of Mayors Office The Covenant of Mayors Office (CoMO), established and funded by the European Commission, is responsible for the coordination and daily management of the initiative. It provides signatories with administrative support and technical guidance, facilitates networking between Covenant stakeholders and ensures the promotion of their activities. The CoMO is managed by a consortium of European networks representing local and regional authorities, led by Energy-Cities and composed of CEMR, CLIMATE ALLIANCE, EUROCITIES and Fedarene. and signatories Signatories Signatories represent cities, with different size from small villages to major metropolitan areas such as London or Paris, that have signed the Covenant of Mayors on a voluntary manner and are committed to implement sustainable energy policies to meet and exceed the EU 20% CO₂ reduction objective through increased energy efficiency and development of renewable energy sources. .

Who is eligible?

Networks and associations of local and regional authorities participate as Covenant Supporters Covenant Supporters The European Commission defines “Covenant Supporters” as European, national and regional networks and associations of local authorities which leverage their lobbying, communication and networking activities to promote the Covenant of Mayors initiative and support the commitments of its signatories. . As such, they notably pledge to promote the Covenant of Mayors Covenant of Mayors The Covenant of Mayors is the mainstream European movement involving local and regional authorities in the fight against climate change. It is based on a voluntary commitment by signatories to meet and exceed the EU 20% CO2 reduction objective through increased energy efficiency and development of renewable energy sources. among their members, guide them through the Covenant process and facilitate exchanges of experience.

What are the commitments?

Networks and associations of local authorities joining as Covenant Supporters Covenant Supporters The European Commission defines “Covenant Supporters” as European, national and regional networks and associations of local authorities which leverage their lobbying, communication and networking activities to promote the Covenant of Mayors initiative and support the commitments of its signatories. officially pledge to:

• Promote accession to the Covenant of Mayors Covenant of Mayors The Covenant of Mayors is the mainstream European movement involving local and regional authorities in the fight against climate change. It is based on a voluntary commitment by signatories to meet and exceed the EU 20% CO2 reduction objective through increased energy efficiency and development of renewable energy sources. and provide support to those of their members signing up;
• Publicly recognize the Covenant of Mayors Covenant of Mayors The Covenant of Mayors is the mainstream European movement involving local and regional authorities in the fight against climate change. It is based on a voluntary commitment by signatories to meet and exceed the EU 20% CO2 reduction objective through increased energy efficiency and development of renewable energy sources. as a key element of their policy;
• Facilitate exchanges of experiences between signatories Signatories Signatories represent cities, with different size from small villages to major metropolitan areas such as London or Paris, that have signed the Covenant of Mayors on a voluntary manner and are committed to implement sustainable energy policies to meet and exceed the EU 20% CO2 reduction objective through increased energy efficiency and development of renewable energy sources. and candidate cities;
• Ensure an intermediary role between their members, the CoM CoM The Covenant of Mayors is the mainstream European movement involving local and regional authorities in the fight against climate change. It is based on a voluntary commitment by signatories to meet and exceed the EU 20% CO2 reduction objective through increased energy efficiency and development of renewable energy sources. O and the national/regional media;
• Identify synergies with related events and initiatives at national or regional levels;
• Provide regular feedback on their members’ actions, once they have adhered to the Covenant of Mayors Covenant of Mayors The Covenant of Mayors is the mainstream European movement involving local and regional authorities in the fight against climate change. It is based on a voluntary commitment by signatories to meet and exceed the EU 20% CO2 reduction objective through increased energy efficiency and development of renewable energy sources. , as well as on the services they are providing as Covenant Supporter.

In case of inaction or insufficient commitment, the European Commission European Commission The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union’s treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union. With the Covenant of Mayors initiative, the European Commission - DG Energy endorses and supports the efforts deployed by local authorities in the implementation of sustainable energy policies. reserves the right to suspend the participation of the network as Covenant Supporter.

How to apply?

To obtain the status of Covenant Supporter, networks of local authorities should take the following steps:

• Fill-in the on-line adhesion form;
• After confirmation of eligibility, complete the agreement form to be co-signed the European Commission European Commission The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union’s treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union. With the Covenant of Mayors initiative, the European Commission - DG Energy endorses and supports the efforts deployed by local authorities in the implementation of sustainable energy policies. ;
• Once created by the Covenant of Mayors Office Covenant of Mayors Office The Covenant of Mayors Office (CoMO), established and funded by the European Commission, is responsible for the coordination and daily management of the initiative. It provides signatories with administrative support and technical guidance, facilitates networking between Covenant stakeholders and ensures the promotion of their activities. The CoMO is managed by a consortium of European networks representing local and regional authorities, led by Energy-Cities and composed of CEMR, CLIMATE ALLIANCE, EUROCITIES and Fedarene. , update their on-line profile with comprehensive information about the services they intend to provide to Signatories Signatories Signatories represent cities, with different size from small villages to major metropolitan areas such as London or Paris, that have signed the Covenant of Mayors on a voluntary manner and are committed to implement sustainable energy policies to meet and exceed the EU 20% CO2 reduction objective through increased energy efficiency and development of renewable energy sources. .

Why participate?

Covenant Supporters Covenant Supporters The European Commission defines “Covenant Supporters” as European, national and regional networks and associations of local authorities which leverage their lobbying, communication and networking activities to promote the Covenant of Mayors initiative and support the commitments of its signatories. find great added value in their Covenant of Mayors Covenant of Mayors The Covenant of Mayors is the mainstream European movement involving local and regional authorities in the fight against climate change. It is based on a voluntary commitment by signatories to meet and exceed the EU 20% CO2 reduction objective through increased energy efficiency and development of renewable energy sources. involvement, including opportunities to:

• Promote their members’ best practices;
• Better accompany their members’ activities on sustainable energy;
• Showcase their services to a larger audience;
• Exchange experience with other networks;
• Benefit from the European Commission European Commission The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union’s treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union. With the Covenant of Mayors initiative, the European Commission - DG Energy endorses and supports the efforts deployed by local authorities in the implementation of sustainable energy policies. ’s endorsement and recognition;
• Receive more visibility for their major events organised in relation to the Covenant;
• Participate in dedicated fora, workshops and discussion groups Discussion Groups The Thematic Discussion Group is an information-and –experience-sharing service that aims to stimulate interaction and networking between Covenant stakeholders. These tailor-made exchange platforms bring together predetermined categories of Covenant stakeholders – ie, large cities and metropolitan areas ; small and medium-sized signatories ; Covenant Coordinators and Covenant Supporters - to discuss Covenant-related topics and questions with their peers, notably during events organized by the Covenant of Mayors Office, online forums and webinars. .