New report highlights energy trends and savings among EU Covenant of Mayors Signatories

The Joint Reseach Centre's (JRC) latest report on the Covenant of Mayors' energy figures is now available, complementing the Covenant of Mayors 2023 Assessment Report. This analysis provides an in-depth look at energy consumption and savings potential across over 1 300 local authorities in the EU-27 committed to 2030 climate and energy targets. The findings are drawn from Baseline Emission Inventories (BEIs), Monitoring Emission Inventories (MEIs), and action descriptions submitted via the MyCovenant platform, further enriched by CDP-ICLEI track data on renewable energy initiatives.

Here are some key insights from the report.

Continued Fossil Fuel Dependence

EU-27 signatories still exhibit a strong reliance on fossil fuels, making up 65% of total energy consumption. In contrast, electricity and district heating and cooling account for 25% and 5.5-7.5%, respectively. 

Renewable Energy Production

The per capita renewable energy production stands at 1.17 MWh/year, with photovoltaics leading the way (74% in BEIs; 31.5% in MEIs) and hydroelectric power contributing significantly (8.55% in BEIs; 29.8% in MEIs).

Local Heat and Cold Production

District heating and combined heat and power (CHP) systems dominate this sector. Non-renewable energy sources make up 98.6% in BEIs, but renewable sources see a 22% increase in MEIs, reflecting progress toward greener energy systems.

Our ongoing Cities Heat Detox campaign knows this is a priority and empowers cities and towns to phase out fossil fuels by “detoxifying” their heating system, through collective district heating and clean heat solutions.

Energy Savings Policies

Policies to achieve energy savings focus on buildings and transport, with actions such as:

• Adoption of efficient and electric vehicles.
• Improvements in building insulation and energy efficiency.
• Awareness campaigns and training programs.

Renewable Energy Actions

Initiatives emphasise electricity generation, particularly through photovoltaics and hydroelectric power, showcasing a shift toward sustainable energy sources.

This report offers valuable insights into the progress and challenges facing local governments in meeting their 2030 energy and climate commitments. It highlights the importance of continued innovation and collaboration to achieve a sustainable energy future for the EU-27.

Download the full report and detailed analysis from the JRC’s website.