Local planning for energy and climate is essential for an effective implementation of the energy transition, climate mitigation and adaptation. The framework of the Covenant of Mayors, launched by the European Commission in 2008, supports the development of local planning and action through the SECAPs (Sustainable Energy & Climate Plans) that municipalities, or group of municipalities, can voluntarily sign to commit to concrete mitigation and adaptation actions to achieve climate objectives by 2030 and/or 2050.
The local level is where the interactions between energy supply and energy demand materialize. Likewise, local energy planning is often related to other planning or policy areas (e.g. transport, urban planning). This is therefore an opportunity for integrated approaches, considering simultaneously the possible evolutions of energy needs and how they can be met.
Municipalities have a key role to play in this context, for example by setting priorities for local actions, leading by example, raising awareness and engaging local stakeholders and citizen.
This makes SECAPs a very relevant case for the implementation of the Energy Efficiency First (EE1st) principle, that is about guiding decision-making in an integrated way, and with the objective of selecting the options or pathways that can be the most beneficial to everyone.
This session was jointly organised by the EU Covenant of Mayors, ENEFIRST+ and PROSPECT CUBE.
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