Covenant Supporters take action on their territories and areas of expertise (e.g. energy, environment, water, air), and at different levels of governance (e.g. European, national, regional or local) to promote the Covenant of Mayors initiative and support their signatories.
Continuing to raise awareness on energy poverty, increasing capacity on climate change adaptation and access to financing, along with the challenges related to the lack of financial resources or difficulties in employing technical staff, are some of the messages that Supporters have shared in this report. Some of the main takeaways include:
Awareness Building:
80% of Covenant Supporters surveyed are spreading awareness about the Covenant of Mayors - Europe initiative by informing members and/or local authorities.
Most respondents are actively involved in Covenant activities, with 78% responding to surveys and 66% attending Covenant of Mayors events.
When asked about awareness needs, respondents highlighted climate change mitigation (71%), adaptation (66%), addressing energy poverty (60%), and ensuring a just transition (51%).
Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing:
Covenant Supporters are aiding Signatories by assisting in their activities (76%), highlighting potential synergies (76%), and helping to secure financial support (75%).
Areas needing capacity building support include energy efficiency (77%), renewable energy (77%), and financing (73%).
In terms of knowledge sharing, Supporters are integrating the initiative into their own event agendas (47%), facilitating peer-review and mentoring (44%), and fostering collaboration among Signatories (42%).
Funding:
66% of respondents are aware of existing national or regional funding for Covenant of Mayors-related activities.
Primary funding sources include EU direct funding (e.g., LIFE programme, Horizon Europe programme) (51%), European Regional Development Fund (37%), and other regional funds (37%).
Multi-level Governance and Stakeholder Engagement:
68% of respondents act as intermediaries between signatories and other stakeholders, and 51% engage in joint activities with other stakeholders.
2030 and 2050 Targets:
To achieve EU Climate targets for 2030 and 2050, respondents highlight the need for information about funding and financing opportunities (75%) and capacity building activities (73%).
Revision of the National Energy and Climate Plans:
Regarding a permanent mechanism for Multilevel Climate and Energy Dialogues or consultation on the NECP, 39% of respondents are unaware, and 27% stated it does not exist.
When such a mechanism exists, 36% of respondents noted that local and regional authorities are only involved through written comments or online questionnaires.
Only 31% of respondents collaborate with national authorities in revising the NECP.
In terms of involvement stages, 24% of respondents are involved at an advanced stage, while only 6% are involved at an early stage.
The report also provides examples of the activities undertaken by Covenant Supporters to promote the Covenant of Mayors initiative, increase the capacities of signatories and reinforce multi-level governance on climate and energy policies.
Covenant Supporters are not-for-profit organisations such associations of local and regional authorities, networks, local and regional energy agencies, NGOs with the capacity to promote the initiative and to mobilise and support their members and/or local governments to reach the Covenant of Mayors’ objectives.
Read the report!
See the list of Covenant Supporters and how to become one
Details
- Publication date
- 26 March 2024