Connecting local action with European ambition
The EU Covenant of Mayors is the European Commission’s long-standing initiative uniting local governments in the fight against climate change. It is the largest movement of cities and towns working to secure a sustainable, resilient and inclusive future for their citizens.
A Vital Movement
Over the past 16 years, more than 10,500 municipalities of all sizes across Europe, representing nearly 220 million inhabitants, have joined the EU Covenant of Mayors. These local authorities commit voluntarily to the EU’s climate and energy goals, playing a key role in shaping a climate-neutral Europe that is fair, climate-ready, and responds to people’s needs.
Launched in 2008, the initiative initially united mayors who pledged to exceed the EU’s target of reducing CO₂ emissions by at least 20% in their territories by 2020. The rapid growth of the EU Covenant underscored the determination and leadership of local authorities in confronting the climate crisis from the ground up.
A Reference Methodology
By joining the EU Covenant of Mayors, cities and towns pledge to develop, implement and monitor Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs) – comprehensive strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to climate impacts, and tackle energy poverty. The Covenant supports signatories through this process by providing a reference methodology for local energy and climate planning, based on scientific rigor, tangible actions and an integrated approach.
While the Covenant began with a focus on sustainable energy and emissions reduction, its flexible framework has allowed it to evolve alongside EU policy priorities. Over time, climate adaptation and energy poverty have been integrated into municipal political vision and plans, strengthening local resilience and supporting a just transition.
Thanks to its evolving nature, the Covenant is unique in promoting a truly holistic approach – one that is open to integrating other relevant policy areas, such as sustainable mobility, air quality, circular economy, biodiversity, digitalisation and others, within local climate strategies.
An Essential Space
Beyond technical guidance, the EU Covenant of Mayors opens an essential space for local leaders to come together – to share experiences, engage in dialogue at European and national levels, and connect with key stakeholders.
By amplifying local voices on the European stage, the Covenant demonstrates how local leadership drives European ambition – translating the EU’s climate agenda into tangible, community-driven action on the ground.
Beyond the thousands of signatories who have joined the initiative, the Covenant community also counts hundreds of territorial coordinators and supporters – mostly regional governments, energy agencies and national associations of municipalities. These have become key actors in the initiative, advancing a multilevel approach to climate action.
Due to its success, the initiative also went global in 2016, with the Global Covenant of Mayors, capitalising on the experience gained in Europe and beyond to raise the bar on climate globally bottom-up.
